experiment for germination of seeds

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Seed Germination Experiment

Watching seeds grow is an amazing science project for kids! Our  seed germination experiment allows kids to see up close to how a seed grows! Learn about the steps of seed germination, and investigate what conditions a seed needs to germinate. Easy science experiments are great for kids of all ages!

Seed Germination In A Jar

Also check out our list of other fun science experiments you can in do a jar! >>> Science in a Jar

• Paper Towels or cotton wool
• Seeds (see our suggestions above)

H ow To Set Up Your Seed Experiment

STEP 1:  Fill the jar with paper towels. Kids can fold them and push them down into the jar. This is also great work for little hands.

STEP 2:  Gently water your seed jar to wet the paper towels. DO NOT FLOOD IT!

STEP 3:  Carefully push seeds down into the paper towels around the edge of the jar so they can still be seen. Make sure they are firmly held in place.

TIP: One easy way to get your seeds to germinate faster is to presoak them in a shallow container of warm water for up to 24 hours. That will soften the hard outer shell of the seed. Don’t soak for longer as they may go moldy!

Our mason jar below includes sunflower, pea, and green bean seeds!

STEP 4: Put your jar in a safe place, and check in regularly to observe any changes.

It all starts with a single seed!

Watching how a seed grows and using a mason jar gives you a front-row seat for observing it all! Sprouting seeds is perfect for a spring STEM activity !

Another fun way to sprout seeds, especially at the end of winter, is with a mini greenhouse made from plastic bottles.

What Is Seed Germination?

First, let’s learn a bit more about germination. Seeds grow into a new plant through a process called germination. Germination is the sprouting of the seed or the very beginning of plant growth.

Availability of water, cold temperatures or warm temperatures, oxygen, and light exposure may all be a factor in starting germination or keeping the seed dormant. What conditions are needed for germination will vary between plants, as each has adapted to the biome in which they live.

Stages of Seed Germination

First, the seed absorbs water. This causes the seed to swell and the outer coating to break. Then the seed starts to break down some of the food that is stored in it. Most seeds will need oxygen in the air in the soil for this to happen.

Eventually, when the seed has grown leaves it can make its own oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis .

Once the seed coat breaks open, the first root grows, called the radicle. In almost all plants, the root comes before the shoot.

Once the root starts to grow, it can now absorb water and nutrients from the soil, instead of getting it from the seed coat.

After the root, the plant’s stem starts to grow. When it reaches above the ground, the leaves begin to grow. This is when the plant no longer has to rely on the stored starch (cotyledon) that comes from the seed.

Turn It Into A Science Project

This simple seed experiment is a great introduction for preschoolers to growing plants , and a fun plant experiment for older kids to investigate what conditions seeds need to germinate.

Older kids can use a science experiment worksheet to write down their observations about how the seeds are growing. While young kids can draw or observe the changes!

There are so many fun questions you can ask…

• Do seeds need light to germinate?
• Does the amount of water affect seed germination?
• Do different types of seeds germinate under the same conditions?
• Does salt water affect seed germination?

Explore how fast different seeds germinate by comparing different kinds of seeds under the same conditions. We tried sunflower seeds, peas, and beans in our seed jar.

Or keep the type of seed the same and set up two mason jars to explore whether seeds need light to germinate. Place one jar where it will get natural light and one in a dark cupboard.

Another idea is to investigate whether seeds need water to germinate and how much. Set up three jars, and measure out how much water goes into each so that one is fully wet, half wet and one has no water.

Learn more about the scientific method for kids and using variables in science experiments!

Free Printable Bean Life Cycle Worksheets

Extend the learning of this hands-on project with this free bean life cycle mini pack !

How To Observe Seed Growth

Get your magnifying glass out and check out all the angles of the seeds. Can you find the different stages of seed germination described earlier?

What do you see in your seed jar?

• You are looking for a root to pop out of the side.
• Next, you are looking for a root to push down into the soil.
• Then, you are looking for root hairs.
• Next, look for the seed to push up while the root hairs push down.
• Lastly, you are looking for the shoots to come up!

The mason jar gives a stunning view of this seed experiment! My son loved being able to see the changes so easily.

More Fun Plant Activities For Kids

Looking for more plant lesson plans? Here are few suggestions for fun plant activities that would be perfect for preschoolers and elementary kids.

Learn about the apple life cycle with these fun printable activity sheets!

Use art and craft supplies you have on hand to create your own parts of a plant craft .

Learn the parts of a leaf with our printable coloring page.

Use a few simple supplies you have on hand to grow these cute grass heads in a cup .

Grab some leaves and find out how plants breath with this simple plant experiment.

Learn about how water moves through the veins in a leaf.

Find out why leaves change color with our printable lapbook project.

Watching flowers grow is an amazing science lesson for kids of all ages. Find out what are easy flowers to grow!

Printable Spring Activities Pack

If you’re looking to grab all of the printables in one convenient place plus exclusives with a spring theme, our 300+ page Spring STEM Project Pack is what you need!

Weather, geology, plants, life cycles, and more!

58 Comments

This is what we should have done – instead we tried plastic bags to grow the seeds in, and they got foggy with condensation so it was hard to see the root! Aw, well. Lesson learned. Next time – grow them in a jar! lol!

We just started our beans in a jar last week. Looking forward to seeing what happens this week.

We’ve just done the same 🙂 Put the beans in the jar instead plastic bags 🙂 Mr Frog is so excited observing the bean growing!

Wonderful learning activity! Thanks for linking up at the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop!

My girlie is very curious about planting and asks tons of questions about the seeds and what happens with them in the soil. This is a great way to show her clearly enough the whole process of the seed’s growing. Thank you for this idea!

What kind of pea seeds did you use?

Good question. I don’t remember the band or name but it was a common package from the store.

This looks like so much fun! Can’t wait to try with my 4 and 2 year old son and daughter. We’re always looking for affordable, educational and fun activities. This is perfect. Happy to have stumbled onto this site!

Do you cover the jar? Do they need to be near a sunny window? Are you supposed to water them? Thanks!

Wonderful! Thank you!

Hi! I did not cover the jar. They were on a table in front of window that did get sunlight at some point during the day. We did not water daily. I added a tiny bit here and there but not much at all. We actually went away for a week and came back to them being so tall which you can see in the picture above. Thats a week with no water what so ever!

What kind of beans did you use? Pinto? I’m wanting to start this activity here soon with my little in-home daycare. 🙂

We used green beans, sunflowers, and green peas!

Just double checking no soil, just paper towels. This is our spring break project. I can’t wait.

Right no soil!

hello! I’m going to try this with my kindergarten class. Did you use dried green beans infrom a bag (like at the supermarket)? Or fresh ones?

Where did you get your seeds? Did you buy them fresh and pick the seed out off the pods or take it out of the shell? I’m interested in doing this but I don’t want to buy the wrong ones.

Simple seed packets from the grocery store!

that was so cool

What a great learning activity. I am featuring this with a link on my blog.

We are getting ready to start this project today with our preschool class. One thing i have not been able to find is, how much water/how wet do the paper towels need to be?’

super cool!!!

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U just use dried peas you get in a box steep them over night then plant them absolutely excellent outcome 4 kids and grown ups alike lol

Interesting! Share a picture!

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you teach me something thanks very much.

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besides seed jar science is there anything else that kids can do?

What do you mean? Feel free to email me [email protected]

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I cant wait to try this out with the 4 year old children at the our Early Learning Centres I am grateful to have found this page. Thank you so much.

At any point do you add soil to the jar or transfer the plant out so it can grow bigger? If transferring, what’s the best way to move them out of the jar and into a pot? What stage of growth should they be at before doing so? Does this method work for any type of seeds? This is perfect for the plant project I want to start with my in-home daycare but I wanted to use seeds from foods they eat and can replant as a way of incorporating recycling into the other lessons learned but I’m new to all of this including being a first time mom/in-home daycare owner and have lots of questions lol! Thank you in advance for your time, patients, and wisdom! 🙂

You could potentially transfer it! We did not. You wouldn’t add soil to the jar though. Makes a great experiment to see if it takes outside or in a pot!

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Since we are getting to spring, a seed germination jar is a perfect activity. Thanks

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Seed Germination Experiment – The Results!

May 27, 2024 by Sarah

Have you ever used the mason jar method for a seed germination experiment?! It is so neat to watch a seed sprout and grow, and to see the root structure take shape. It also makes for an awesome seed germination experiment, comparing roots and sprouts and how quickly each grows!

In this blog post, I’ll share with you exactly how we set up our seed germination experiment, a Free Printable Seed Growth Tracker, AND the results with the best seeds to germinate with kids!

Seeds and Plants Family Unit Study

This seed germination experiment is one of the hands-on activities from my Seeds and Plants Family Unit Study .  

If you’re new here, let me explain. This unit study, like all of our ever-growing library of unit studies, takes one big topic—Seeds and Plants—and breaks it down into ten manageable, bite-sized learning topics. This format gives you the freedom to dive into learning at a pace that works for your family.

Each of the ten topics included with a unit study contains everything you need for that topic, including:

• a curated YouTube video,
• suggested information to read,
• a “what’s happening” section,
• an interesting fact,
• a discussion question,
• literacy and math extension questions,
• and an ultimate-can’t-be-beat hands-on activity!

Perhaps you do one topic per day, perhaps one per week. Whatever suits your fancy! You can learn about seeds and plants and explore one of the 10 topics from start to finish in about 1-2 hours.

Printable Seed Growth Tracker

Within the Seeds and Plants Family Unit Study, your little ones will observe and document how their seeds grow with this Printable Seed Growth Tracker . You can grab it for FREE right here:

Seed Germination Experiment: The Set-Up

For this experiment, we’re going to germinate our seeds using the ‘mason jar and paper towel’ method. With this method, kids can see the seed sprout and the root structure form, giving them the real-life learning they need to understand what’s happening beneath the soil!

For your seed germination experiment, you will need:

• a glass jar
• paper towels

Instructions

First, we pushed sheets of paper towels, one at a time, into the glass jar. Once it was full, we added some water to wet it (dumping out any excess). Wetting the paper towel made room for a few more pieces to be pushed into the jar and then wet again (and again, dumping out any excess water). We made sure the paper towel was rather packed so the seeds would stay nicely in place next to the glass.

Next, we picked four seeds to germinate: beans, snap peas, cucumber, and swiss chard. We pushed each seed down the side of the glass jar and supported them with the wet paper towel when pulling our fingers out.

We added all four of our seeds to one mason jar, but you could also set up separate mason jars for each of your different types of seeds.

Finally, I labeled each seed so we could make observations and comparisons.

Seed Germination Experiment: The Results!

One of the reasons I love doing seed germination with kids is how quickly the seeds start to grow. For this seed growth experiment, our seeds started to root on Day 2! By the next day, there were sprouts, too. And by Day 5, three of our four seeds were growing strong!

These are the seeds that we chose to germinate:

• Swiss Chard

So, how did our four seeds compare?

Here is a little run down of our results, though yours may, of course, be slightly different.

Day 1 – Despite checking a gazillion times, nothing happened.

Day 2 – Snap Pea rooted.

Day 3 – Snap Pea started to sprout, and Bean started to root.

Day 4 – Bean started to sprout, and Swiss Chard started to root (though it was tricky to see!).

Day 5 – Snap Pea , Bean , and Swiss Chard were all rooted and sprouting.

Day 6 – Bean overtook Snap Pea for the tallest and strongest plant.

Day 7 – All growing strong! (Except for the Cucumber …)

We had the best success with snap pea and bean seeds. Both grew fairly similarly, easily, and strongly. The roots to the snap pea were a bit easier to see, but the bean seed looks really neat as it sprouts!

So, What’s the Best Seed to Germinate with Kids?

So, if I were forced to choose between a bean or a snap pea seed to germinate with my little ones, I would choose—after a long and restless night’s sleep debating the choice— Snap Pea!

The root system on a snap pea is really fascinating—and that is why I do seed germination for kids in clear jars with paper towels : so they can see the root system.

Truthfully, we didn’t do too many activities while we were observing our seeds sprouting. It was mostly casual conversations. But conversations themselves can be one of the most powerful learning tools of all!

We made predictions and comparisons, developed new vocabulary, and—most importantly—marveled at how miraculous the whole process is.

This is one of the simplest ways to introduce little ones to seed germination. You can keep it simple, or turn it into quite an all-encompassing endeavor! Whatever floats your boat. Our boats are currently floated in a shallow stream… some days, a puddle…

More Seed Activities for Kids

If you’re looking for more seed activities, be sure to check out these 35 Seed Activities for Kids . And if you’re feeling crafty, I have tons of Seed Art Ideas for Kids as well.

And if you would like everything planned for you, I encourage you to check out my Seeds and Plants Family Unit Study!

https://shop.howweelearn.com/products/family-unit-study-seeds-and-plants

I hope you find these seed activities helpful for you and yours!

Thank you for reading, my friend,

"Mom, you're the BEST!"

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April 4, 2014 at 3:32 pm

The fail-safe ones are my favorite! lol! I love that this is just a casual experiment that still puts the roots (pun not intended) of science in their minds! 🙂

February 11, 2016 at 10:52 pm

Really helpful for my sons science project. I appreciate you sharing a lot! Thank you. We aren’t finished with ours however it’s a little more complicated. But wanted to say again appreciate your share! Great job!

February 15, 2019 at 4:44 pm

We always had the best success with nasturtium seeds.

February 19, 2019 at 9:12 pm

Oh interesting Theresa! I have never tried sprouting these seeds. I will have to give it a go!

March 5, 2021 at 2:00 pm

Hi, Did you just fill the jar up with wet paper towels? really wet? or misted wet? I’m trying to figure out how the seeds sit against the side of the jar. thanks

March 8, 2021 at 10:51 am

Hi Christina, Great question! The trick is to really fill the jar all the way with paper towels. Rip them off one by one and shove them in the jar. Then add lots of water to wet them down and continue to fill the jar again with the paper towel, wetting them down and repeating until the jar is totally full. Then dump out the excess water and press the seeds in. We then water the jar every two or so days and dump out the excess water. Hope this helps! I actually have a video coming out with more details next week. I will be sure to link it here!

April 11, 2022 at 9:15 pm

Where can we find the video? Love this idea!

April 17, 2022 at 8:28 pm

Thank you so much! You can check out the video in this blog post: https://www.howweelearn.com/two-spring-learning-crafts-we-love/

April 11, 2021 at 10:35 pm

Where did you get your seeds? Is it something I can just get at any store? Thank you. I nanny and always looking for learning amd fun things to do with her.

April 12, 2021 at 7:23 pm

Hi Faith! Yes, any store at all. The dollarstore carries seeds as well. I hope you have fun!

April 11, 2021 at 10:38 pm

Also, where in the jar did you put the seeds? On the sides? Do I put the different types of seeds in different jars?

April 12, 2021 at 7:28 pm

Yes! Once the paper towels are stuffed in the jar you can just slide the seeds in between the jar and the paper towels. You can put them in different jars, or pop them all in the same jar. Anything goes!

April 16, 2022 at 5:56 pm

Radish seeds sprout really fast as well. I’m a teacher and I use a plastic glove ( the large ones that cafeteria workers use) and instead of paper towels I use cotton balls. One cotton ball and one seed for each finger. Dip the cotton ball in water and wring out the water so that its damp and not dripping. Hope this helps anyone and thanks for the seed ideas!

April 17, 2022 at 8:23 pm

Great tips, Lindzi! Thank you!

February 6, 2022 at 10:46 pm

Hi Sarah, I have done this with many students. I had over 1200 students come to our conservation days and we showed them how to do this. With so many kids buying packaged seed was out of the question, so I just bought a bag of beans from the grocery store and started the process the night before by soaking them overnight. Then the bean seed germinated faster. Also corn seed can be used. Neither need to be soaked but it does speed up the process.

Just found your site. I was looking for fun easy experiments for my grandson who is 3 years old. I taught science for 35 years but, have been away from it and needed some inspiration, you know that oh yea, that would be a great one for him to do. Thank you.

February 9, 2022 at 7:56 pm

What a great tip, Brenda! Thank you so much.

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Seed Germinator

What goes on underground when seeds are sprouting? Make yourself a window into the process of plant development.

• Quick-germinating seeds, such as radish or Wisconsin Fast Plants®
• Paper towel or coffee filter
• Large petri dish with lid, or an old CD case with clear sides (if you’re using a CD case, open it and remove the plastic insert that holds the CD, being careful not to break the case)
• Lidless, straight-sided plastic container wide enough to set the petri dish or CD case inside, on its edge, as shown in the photo
• Two rubber bands big enough to fit around the open container
• Metric ruler with millimeter markings
• Magnifying glass

• Soak the seeds overnight in water.
• Set aside the top of the petri dish, or open the CD case. Cut the paper towel (or coffee filter) to fit inside.
• With a ruler and pencil, draw a straight line across the middle of the paper towel. Lay the marked-up paper in the bottom of the dish (or inside the CD case) so the line sits horizontally across the center. If you’re using a CD case, be sure the hinged edge is at the top or side (not bottom).
• Pour a little water into the dish to wet the paper towel. Smooth out any bubbles and tip out any extra water not absorbed by the paper. Later, when you stand the dish on its edge, the wet paper should remain stuck to the inside of the dish or CD case.
• Place 6 to 10 seeds on the paper towel, evenly spaced along the reference line. Then put the lid on the petri dish, or close the CD case.

• Pour water into the container to a depth of about 1 inch (2 to 3 cm). The water should seep into the petri dish or CD case and contact the paper towel, keeping it moist as the seedlings begin to sprout.
• Put your seed germinator in a warm place (room temperature or slightly higher), away from direct sunlight.

Check on your seeds once or twice a day, and notice what changes or emerges (see photo below). (It’s fine to open the seed germinator; just handle it carefully so the seeds don’t move.) Do shoots with green tips emerge first, or do white roots emerge first? Do each seed’s roots and shoots sprout in the same direction, or in different directions? Use a magnifying glass to examine the growing structures in more detail. How do they change over time?

Measure the growth of the roots and shoots over time. You may want to collect data to graph average root length vs. time, and average shoot length vs. time. (Note that it’s helpful to measure time in total elapsed hours, rather than days.) Which grows faster, the shoots or the roots?

Inside a seed is the embryo of a plant, plus a food source for that embryo, all contained within a protective seed coat. Here, you can observe seed germination, in which the embryo begins to digest the food and grow into a seedling. While this process usually happens in soil, the key component for germination is water.

At appropriate temperatures, most seeds begin their germination by absorbing water through a tiny hole in the seed coat. The moisture starts the metabolic processes of the embryo that’s contained within the seed. When hydrated by absorption of water, enzymes in the seed are activated. They begin digesting the food stored inside to generate energy for the embryo’s growth.

The developing root emerges from the seed first. As the root grows longer and thicker, it develops tiny root hairs, which help the developing plant take up water and nutrients. Shoots with pale-green leaflike structures emerge after the roots. Eventually, these leaves will turn a deeper green color and begin to photosynthesize, capturing and storing light energy and carbon dioxide from the air.

Photosynthesis in leaves supplies the plant with the energy and matter it needs to grow. Newly germinated seedlings, however, are not yet photosynthesizing. Instead, in early stages of growth, the embryo digests and assimilates the energy and matter from the food present in the seed. Depending on the type of seed, this food store contains a mixture of proteins, fats, sugars, and starches. This stored food isn’t just important to the developing plant embryo; it’s also important to human diets. About 45 percent of the calories humans consume globally comes from seed grains like rice, wheat, and corn.

A common misconception is that plants get their mass from soil. In this soil-free experiment, you can prove to yourself that plants don’t strictly require soil to grow. In fact, many plants grow very well hydroponically in water cultures, as long as the appropriate nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium are provided. Your seedlings will eventually need more space than the seed germinator can provide, but given the right lighting conditions, they’ll begin to photosynthesize, accumulating mass from the carbon dioxide in the air and the water you provide.

This seed germinator makes it easy to design and perform experiments to determine the materials and conditions seeds need in order to germinate and grow. The effects of temperature, light levels, and water conditions (such as pH or salinity), as well as the presence or absence of various nutrients are all factors you can investigate. Experimenting with the position and lighting of the seed germinator can help you determine the conditions necessary for roots to grow down, and for shoots to grow up. Do roots sense gravity? Do they sense light? Or are they affected by other factors?

This Science Snack is part of a collection that showcases LGBT artists, scientists, inventors and thinkers whose work aids or expands our understanding of the phenomena explored in each Snack.

Jennifer Nemhauser (she/her) is a queer and pansexual biologist. She is a faculty member in the Department of Biology at the University of Washington and studies how plants use signaling networks to change the shapes of their bodies to make the best of particular environments. She hopes that if she can learn how plants control division, growth, differentiation, communication, and death, she can help breed the next generation of more resilient crops. Prior to her faculty position at the University of Washington, she completed her doctoral work in auxin and flower development and post-doctoral work in hormone interactions in seedling development. Jennifer feels as though she expresses her queer identity the most in the ways she works to build a distinctly queer scientific culture within her lab group—an effort that is reflected in the large number of LGBTQIA+ students and postdocs that have found a home there. Make yourself a window into the process of plant development with the Seed Germinator Science Snack.

As noted in the What’s Going On? section above, this experiment can be used to begin investigating where a plant’s mass comes from. To do this, weigh the seeds before you soak them. Allow the seedlings to grow under good light conditions for several days, so they begin to accumulate mass through photosynthesis. Then take them out, let them dry, and check their mass again. Comparing the initial mass of the seeds to the dry mass of the germinated seedlings can help show students that a plant’s mass does not come from soil or water.

Related Snacks

The Educators' Spin On It

Learning Games and Activities

By The Educators Spin On It

Germination Science Experiment

In this twist on the classic germination science experiment, children will test the germination rate of 10 green bean seeds. From making predictions to collecting data, your little scientists will learn all about seeds and how plants grow.

Let’s get started with this germination of seeds activity! 

Affiliate links to products like the super cute Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Tootle Turtle Tote Set pictured in the above picture!

An Easy Germination Science Experiment for Kids to Do

A fun way to teach your child about the germination of seeds!

Materials Needed for Germination Science Experiment

• Plastic baggie
• Black permanent marker
• Paper towel
• Spray Bottle

Directions for Germination Science Experiment

Before the germination science experiment read seed books and talk about seeds.

Introduce the word GERMINATION.  Germination is when the seed begins to grow a root and a shoot. This experiment will allow children to see how and how many seeds germinate.  The plastic bag acts as a window into the world of plant growth!

• Fold the paper towel so it will fit neatly inside the plastic bag.
• Using a black permanent marker, draw a 10 frame on the bag.
• Fill the spray bottle with water and let children mist the paper towel until it is completely moist.
• Place the wet paper towel in the bag.
• Have the children place one bean seed in each compartment in the 10 frame.
• Close the bag and set it flat near a window or other sunny area. (the bag can be taped to a window, but the seeds do not stay in the 10 frame well!)

TIP: Here are the Fastest Growing Seeds for Science Projects .

Want to expand this lesson? Use this free plant life cycle worksheet !

Discussion Questions for Germination Science Experiment

Do you think that all 10 bean seeds will germinate? Explain your answer.

MATH CONNECTIONS:

• Write a prediction on how many bean seeds you believe will germinate.  You many guess numbers between 0 and 10. After plants have germinated check your predictions.  Discuss the results.
• Can you figure out the percentage or germination rate of your bean seeds?  Take the number of bean seeds in your bag that germinated.  Use a calculator and times that number by 10.  If 8 seeds germinated, you would take 8 x 10 = 80.  Your seeds would have an 80% germination rate.

Why do you think knowing a seeds germination rate would be helpful to a farmer?

NOTE: Bean seeds germinated in this way “may” grow if you place them in a soil garden area shortly after germination begins. Often teachers will allow the bean plants to continue growing until leaves form so that students can see the plants growing.

Bean Seed Germination Experiment

Facts about Beans

• A bean seed will grow into a bean plant.
• The plant will produce blossoms that will turn into beans.  If left to mature. The beans will contain 5-6 bean seeds that can be re-planted.
• Some bean seeds are white, red, brown, or black.  We have even planted red speckled bean seeds.
• The roots and stem will come out of the seed.  When this happens, it is called – germination.
• Roots go down from the bean seed into the earth due to gravity.  They help the bean plant absorb water and nutrients from the soil.  You will see this in the first few days of your grow a bean maze experiment.
• Even if you plant the seed upside down, the roots will “turn themselves” back the right way.
• The stem, or shoot, will go upwards in search of sunlight and air.

Germination Science Experiment Vocabulary

Germination :  when the seed begins to grow a root and a shoot.

Root :  Part of the plant beneath the soil that absorbs water and nutrients.

Sprout : the beginning growth of a plant

Sprouting : the practice of germinating seeds

We all know that plants need water, sun, and soil to grow. In this science experiment, kids will grow a bean maze to truly “see” how plants will seek out what they need.

Seed and Flower Activities for Kids

More SEED and Flower Inspired Learning Activities from our Teach ECE Education Team and here at The Educators’ Spin On It. We recommend:

• Tracing Letters with Seeds by Mom Inspired Life
• Flower Scavenger Hunt Mini-Book by Life Over C’s
• Growing Seeds and Journaling by Learning 2 Walk
• Song About Weeds by Capri + 3
• Printable Seed Activities Inspired by The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
• Gardening with Kids, Seeds versus Transplants
• Saving Sunflower Seeds
• Best Flowers to Plant to Attract Butterflies
• Unlocking the Mysteries of Seed Germination

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June 17, 2016 at 5:52 am

The blog is very nice and shares great information. keep up the good work. school franchise in india

April 20, 2016 at 9:19 am

Our kids would love to try this experiment. I love that they can also try multiplication with a calculator to find out the rate of germination.

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Bean in a jar

April 30, 2012 By Emma Vanstone 13 Comments

This germination investigation is very simple but fascinating. Did you know you can grow a bean in a jar with just a little water? Germination is the sprouting of a seedling from a seed.

What is germination?

Three factors are important for germination .

Water – seeds need water for germination to occur. When a seed absorbs water, it starts to swell up, the outer coat of the seed cracks and roots start to grow through.

Oxygen – oxygen is needed for a plant to grow (oxygen is needed for respiration to occur ). Seeds buried too deeply in the soil won’t grow.

Temperature – the temperature can be important ( warm or cold ) depending on the type of seed.

Once a seedling has used all the nutrients from the seed, it then needs to take nutrients from the soil. Once your seed has germinated and grown a little bit, you’ll need to transfer it into a pot of soil.

Light is not needed for germination but is needed for a plant to grow.

Roots grow downwards to anchor the plant in the ground and find nutrients, and shoots grow upwards to find light.

How to grow a bean in a jar

What you need.

• A broad bean seed
• Kitchen roll or a napkin

Instructions

• Swirl a small amount of water around the jar.
• Fold your napkin or kitchen roll and place it in the jar ( we made the kitchen roll very slightly damp also ).
• Place the bean seed in the jar resting on the napkin.
• Spray some water on the bean every few days.

The bean should start to grow roots after a few days. This is called germination.

We kept one bean in the dark and one in the light. Both seeds germinated and grew into small bean plants. This shows that light is not necessary for germination .

You can see here that the plant grown in the dark is slightly less green than the one grown in the light. We have seen this before when growing cress .

What amazes me the most is that all this can grow from one tiny seed with no additional nutrients other than those contained in the bean itself.

After a few days in the light, the bean plant kept in the dark was as luscious a green colour as its counterpart.

Bean in a jar instructions

Download the instructions completely free.

More plant science

Little ones will enjoy growing a bean for Jack and the Beanstalk.

Inspiration Laboratories has a lovely plant science experiment growing seeds in different soil types , such as sand and stones.

Playdough to Plato has a gorgeous sprout house !

Another idea is to dissect a plant or try one of our other fun plant science experiments for kids .

Suitable for:

Key Stage 1 Science – Plants

Identify and describe the basic structure of a variety of common flowering plants, including trees.

Last Updated on March 29, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

April 30, 2012 at 8:52 am

You keep coming up with really inspiring ideas. Thankyou!

May 04, 2012 at 7:39 pm

So glad you like them!

April 30, 2012 at 12:53 pm

I love this idea. It is so much better than the ziploc bag on the window. (Maybe it is just me, but those always get so nasty. Plus it would be great to have where the students could see actually grow and record the height. Love it.

May 04, 2012 at 7:41 pm

oooh yes, what a good idea!

May 02, 2012 at 10:17 pm

It is fascinating and beautiful! We have to try this!

It was great! and so simple x

May 06, 2012 at 8:29 pm

We love this activity. Ours is growing strong and we’re going to try transferring into the soil and growing further now

Thank you for linking to Tuesday Tots this week

May 07, 2012 at 2:26 pm

love this idea.. will find some jars x

May 11, 2012 at 3:01 am

How fun!! I love the lessons where they get to see the roots that would be underground. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday! I hope you are having a great week!

March 08, 2013 at 6:55 pm

Ooh great way to use my jars! Now to get some beans x

March 08, 2013 at 8:28 pm

We grew a bean in a glass Mason jar for each kid a couple months ago. Can you believe they ate still thriving? One even grew a bean pod with beans in it. I should transfer them to a pot with soil.

April 10, 2013 at 6:14 pm

I would like to know just why this works. Why is the one kept in the dark white? I know it has something to do with light. And why did it grow faster that the one in the light? Thank you!

April 23, 2020 at 10:28 am

Hi there, can you use any seed for this?

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Eleven Experiments with Radish Seeds

Many students I know struggle to find a good idea for science fair projects and sometimes wait until the last minute to do their experiments. We in the Education Department of the Chicago Botanic Garden are committed to helping make science fair a painless and even fun learning experience for students, parents, and teachers by offering some simple ideas for studying plants.

A no-brainer botany project is testing germination of radish seeds in different conditions. Radish seeds are easy to acquire, inexpensive, large enough to see and pick up with your fingers, and quick to germinate under normal conditions. Testing germination does not take weeks, doesn't require a lot of room, and is easy to measure—just count the seeds that sprout!

To set up a seed germination experiment, use this basic procedure

Gather three or more small plates, depending on how many ways you will be treating your seeds.

Place a folded wet paper towel on the plate.

Place ten seeds on the wet paper towel. You can use more seeds—the more you have, the more reliable your results will be—but using multiples of ten makes it easier to calculate percentages.

Cover with a damp paper towel; label the plates.

Treat the seeds the same way in every respect except for one thing: the condition you are testing. That condition is your "independent variable," which may also be called the "experimental variable." No matter what you are testing, one plate should be set up with the basic directions and no treatment. That plate is the "control" that all the other plates can be compared with.

When the seeds sprout root and leaves, remove the top paper towel. Compare the number of seeds that germinate and the time it takes for seeds in each condition. You should be able to wrap this up in less than a week.

Now all you need are some ideas for conditions to test.

Here are eleven questions you can investigate at home or school using the same basic procedure

1. Do seeds need light to germinate?

Place your plates of seeds in different light conditions: one in no light (maybe in a dark room or a under a box), one in indirect/medium light (in a bright room, not near the window), and one in direct light (by a south-facing window). Compare how well the seeds germinate in these conditions.

2. Do seeds sprout faster if they are presoaked?

Soak some seeds for an hour, a few hours, and overnight. Place ten of each on a germination plate, and and compare them with ten dry seeds on another plate.

3. Does the room temperature affect germination rate?

You'll need a thermometer for this one. Place seed plates on a warming pad, in room temperature, and in a cool location. Monitor temperature as well as germination rate. Try to ensure that the seeds have the same amount of light so it's a fair test of temperature and not light variation.

4. Do microwaves affect germination?

Put seeds in the microwave before germinating and see if this affects them. Try short bursts, like one and two seconds as well as ten or 15 seconds, to see if you can determine the smallest amount of radiation that affects seed germination.

5. Does pH affect germination rate?

Wet the paper towels with different solutions. Use diluted vinegar for acidic water, a baking soda or mild bleach solution for alkaline conditions, and distilled water for neutral.

6. Does prefreezing affect the seed affect germination?

Some seeds perform better if they have been through a cold winter. Store some seed in the freezer and refrigerator for a week or more before germinating to find out if this is true for radishes or if it has an adverse affect.

7. Does exposure to heat affect germination rate?

Treat your seeds to heat by baking them in the oven briefly before germinating. See what happens with seeds exposed to different temperatures for the same amount of time, or different amounts of time at the same low temperature.

8. How is germination rate affected by age of the seeds?

You can acquire old seeds from a garden store (they will be happy to get rid of them), or maybe a gardener in your family has some old seeds hanging around. Find out if the seeds are any good after a year or more by germinating some of them. Compare their germination rate to a fresher package of the same kind of seed.

9. Do seeds germinate better in fertilized soil?

Instead of using the paper-towel method, sprout seeds in soils that contain different amounts of Miracle-Gro or another soil nutrient booster.

10. Does scarification improve germination rate?

Some seeds need to be scratched in order to sprout—that's called "scarification." Place seeds in a small bag with a spoon of sand and shake for a few minutes and see if roughing them up a bit improves or inhibits their germination.

11. Does talking to seeds improve their germination rate?

Some people claim that talking to plants increases carbon dioxide and improves growth. Are you the scientist who will show the world that seeds sprout better if you read stories to them? Stranger discoveries have been made in the plant world.

That eleventh idea may seem silly, but sometimes science discoveries are made when scientists think outside the seed packet, so to speak. Students should design an experiment around whatever question interests them—from this list or their own ideas—to make the research personal and fun. As long as students follow the scientific method, set up a controlled experiment, and use the results of the experiment to draw reasoned conclusions, they will be doing real science. The possibilities for botanical discovery are endless, so get growing!

Author: Kathy Johnson Job Title: Youth Programs Director Published: Sep 18, 2013 Category: Learning

Garden Stories

Plants & gardening, science & conservation.

Kids see plants everywhere from the playground to the garden, but do they know about the lifecycle of a plant? Learning about plants always fascinates the kids and starting seeds is an amazing hands-on interactive project where you can watch every part of the cycle. From there you can have everyone build plant models to show what they know! Let’s take a look at the amazing process of the plant life cycles and discover how you can start your own plant adventure right from your home or classroom.

A Project that will really “GROW” on you!

What you will discover in this article!

Disclaimer: This article may contain commission or affiliate links. As an Amazon Influencer I earn from qualifying purchases. Not seeing our videos? Turn off any adblockers to ensure our video feed can be seen. Or visit our YouTube channel to see if the video has been uploaded there. We are slowly uploading our archives. Thanks!

First the Plant Science Stuff!

What is the Life Cycle of a Plant?

The same way that people and animals have a life cycle, so do plants! The cycle follows the plant from a seed through growth and development stages to fully mature plant.

The Stages of Plant Cycle

Seeds all vary in size but each one represents the potential to grow into a new plant.

Germination

When you add water whether directly or through condensation, warmth from the sun or a grow light, and oxygen to a seed it will start to sprout. This process is called germination. This is a fun step for the kids to watch. You can see the seed split open and then each day you’ll see a little more of the sprout sticking out. Soon, a tiny root will pop out of the seed and start to grow, anchoring the plant in the soil.

Seedling Stage

As the root grows, a shoot pushes through the soil toward the sunlight. This shoot becomes the stem, and the first leaves appear. When those leaves show up your plant is called a seedling.

Mature Plant

The seedling will absorb light from the sun, and nutrients from the soil. Water will come from the weather or a watering can to let the plant drink up and stay hydrated. The seedling will continue to grow into a mature plant.

Reproduction

Plants will often produce flowers which in turn produce seeds, completing the life cycle. Many plants rely on wind, animals, or even water to carry their seeds to new places where they can grow into new plants and start the cycle again. This is called pollination and we have a great lesson with a printable on pollinators you can add to this lesson.

Lifecycle Printable

We have a great printable you can use to accompany this project. It is a Lifecycle Code Breakers activity that explores the lifecycles of: Tomatoes, Apples, Pumpkins and Sunflowers, plus a variety of insects and animals.

Seed Lab for Kids

Now for the hands on fun! Let’s grow a plant from a seed – our own little seed lab.

Seeds Paper Towels Zip Top Plastic Bags Clamshell Containers from salad or vegetables (recycle!) Soil Water

I want to share a couple of different ways you can watch start seeds and watch the seed cycle. Both work really well; it just depends on your space and situation. Also, when choosing your seeds – you can use any seeds you want, for a classroom or unit I would choose one with a relatively quick germination stage so you keep the kids’ interest strong. I chose radish seeds because they germinate in about 3-5 days in the right conditions. Your local greenhouse will have some great recommendations for you.

Growing Seeds in a Bag

Step 1: Lightly wet your paper towel, wring it out so it is just slightly damp. Fold it into a square that will slide easily into the bag.

Step 2: Sprinkle a few seeds onto the towel and gently press them into place. Have the kids observe what the seed looks like at this stage.

Step 3: Write the type of seeds on the bag. Carefully slip the towel into the baggy and seal it up.

Step 4: Hang or lay the bag in a sunny spot. A window works perfectly!

Step 5: Watch and wait. I always think it’s fun to do daily observations. Either have the kids draw or write about what they see each day. Also have the kids observe what happens inside the bag with the water. The warmth will cause evaporation and condensation. Yes, this is a mini water cycle!

Extension Activity – Explore the Water Cycle !

Here are some pictures of our seeds germinating in the bag.

Growing Seeds in a Recycled Clamshell

Step 1: Grab any flip top, clear plastic container from the recycling. I like the ones that the different mixed greens and spinach come in – but even little berry containers will work. Fill the container with potting soil.

Step 2: Place your seeds on the soil spacing them apart as directed on the packaging. Gently press them into the soil, not necessarily as deep as you would for true planting like in a garden because you want to be sure the kids can see the process.

Step 3: Water the soil well and snap it shut.

Step 4: Watch and wait. The same water cycle effect will occur in the clamshell. The kids will be able to clearly observe the water droplets form on the top of the container and drip back onto the soil to water the plants. Depending on the condensation you may need to pop the container’s tops to see the seeds do their thing! It’s so much fun for the kids to watch the plant growing.

Here are some pictures of our process.

Parts of a Seed

When you’re watching the seeds start to pop it’s a great time to discuss the parts of a seed. For simplicity you can talk about the three basic parts of a seed:

The Seed Coat: The outer layer of the seed

The Stored Food: The inner part of a seed

The Embryo: The baby plant ready to break through the seed coat to sprout.

Extension Activity Ideas

As an extension activity, have the students make a seed model or stages of a plant model. You can check out our Butterfly Lifecycle or Ladybug Lifecycle models for inspiration. Have your students use something as simple as crayons, markers, pipe cleaners, felt, or play dough – let them use their imagination and see what they come up with. Here is what we came up with.

Another great activity would be to make a Plant Cell Model and learn about the cells of the plants kids are growing in this lab. If possible, make some slides and examine the cells under a microscope for even more hands on discovery and learning.

Don’t forget to also explore the water cycle and learn how the small water cycle growing your seeds, is just like Earth’s Water Cycle !

Finally, feed that new found passion for nature, science and seeds by making Seed Paper or Seed Bombs .

Let your curiosity bloom and enjoy exploring the magic of plant life cycles!

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Science project, factors affecting seed germination.

What do plants need to grow? In this experiment, you’ll explore one of the most important factors affecting seed germination by finding out whether the amount of water a seed receives changes how quickly it germinates.

A seed contains the beginnings of a new baby plant. To grow, this plant needs water. Water helps a plant with different processes inside the plant. It allows the plant to move nutrients from the soil into its cells.

How does the variable of moisture affect seed germination?

• Potting soil
• 12 bean seeds
• 4 clear plastic cups
• Plant mister
• Permanent marker
• Distilled water
• To set up the experiment, you’ll prepare four different soil samples. Save a small amount of soil from each batch so you can use it later.
• First, label one cup “Dry,” another “Moist,” another “Wet,” and another “Soaked”.
• Divide the potting soil into four equal parts. One part can go into the cup labeled Dry.
• Mist the second batch of potting soil with water until it is damp to the touch. Place this in the cup labeled “Moist”.
• Add water to the third batch of soil. It should be wet and slightly muddy to the touch. Place this batch of soil into the third cup.
• Add a lot of water to the fourth batch of soil. It should be soaking wet: When you squeeze it in your hand, water should come out. Place this batch of soil into the fourth cup.
• Plant four bean seeds in each cup. Place them gently on top of the soil near the edge of each cup. You should be able to see the seeds from the outside of each cup. Try to place them equal distances from each other. Cover them with ¼ inch of soil from the appropriate dry, moist, wet, or soaked pile.
• Create a hypothesis, your best guess about what is going to happen. Will the seeds from the different cups germinate at the same rate? At different rates? Why?
• Now, wait. Every day, look at the bean seeds. The seeds may begin to germinate. Use your notebook and pencil to take notes on what is going on with your bean plants from day to day.
• Do some seeds germinate more quickly than others? Do some not germinate at all? Why?  

The seeds germinate the best in moist soil.

What do seeds need to grow? Baby plants have fairly simple needs. They need good soil with nutrients, water, sunshine, and air, particularly carbon dioxide. However, the right mix of these essential elements for life can be surprisingly hard to find. If a seed falls in a place where there is very little light, it won’t grow at all or its growth will be stunted.

The same thing happens when a seed does not get a lot of water. Water is important to plants. When plants can get water from the soil, it’s easier for them to move soil nutrients into the plant tissues. Plants have a circulatory system just like you do. In your body’s circulatory system, your blood helps move food around your body. In plants, water works a lot like blood, helping the plant to move soil nutrients around. Plants also make food through a process called photosynthesis . This process involves light, water, and carbon dioxide. After photosynthesis, the plant needs to be able to move the food around inside itself. Water also helps keep the plant’s cells plump so that the plant stands tall.

Plants need water, but they don’t like to have too much water. Too much water can rot seeds before they get to grow. If you give soil too much water, the water fills in all of the air pockets in the soil. This means that your plant’s roots can’t breathe and get stressed. They may rot as well. For a plant, a little water is an amazing thing, but a lot can make it sick.

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Elementary Teaching Blog

Last updated by Linda Kamp on December 9, 2022 • 11 Comments

Easy Seed Science Experiments & Parts of a Seed Activities

Germinating seeds and growing plants is a must-do activity for elementary students learning about the plant life cycle. But have you ever wondered what the inside of a seed looks like? These easy seed science experiments are a great way for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade students to explore the parts of a seed and learn their functions as they dissect and label the inside of a seed.

Seed Science Experiments

Introduce your students to the parts of a seed and each part’s function by reading books about plants or by projecting a diagram. We  want students to be familiar with the vocabulary to use and what seed parts they will be looking for when they dissect their seeds.

Dissecting Seeds Experiment

To dissect bean seeds you will need:

• large lima beans
• a magnifying glass
• paper towels
• a recording sheet

Soak the lima beans in a bowl of water for 15-20 minutes to soften them. Soak enough for each student to have 2-3 beans in case some break or won’t open easily. Set enough beans aside for each student to have a dry bean to use  for comparison.

Students use a hand lens to observe and compare the wet bean to the dry bean then describe the differences. Next, students compare and measure the sizes of the two beans.

Using their thumbnails, students then carefully split the soaked bean open to reveal the inside and parts of the seed.

Using a hand lens or magnifying glass (large magnifying glasses are available at the dollar store), have locate and identify the seed coat, plant embryo, and cotyledon. Challenge them to find the hilum, or the tiny scar where the seed was attached to the parent plant. This is the seed’s belly button!

Labeling the Parts of a Seed

As students are dissecting their seeds, have them draw what they see and label the parts of the seed. The seed diagram I use is included in this resource .

This seed dissection video on YouTube gives an up-close look at the parts of a seed.

Germinating Seeds

You can germinate any type of seed or bean but observing the stages of germination is easiest to see using large lima beans. Place dry beans between two damp paper towels inside a sandwich baggie or jar. Because the seeds can sometimes get moldy, we do two things. Add a squirt of hand sanitizer to the paper towels first, and leave the baggie open so air can circulate.

I’ve found the easiest way to manage the baggies is to clothespin them to a long piece of yarn stapled or tacked to a bulletin board or wall. This way students can easily remove their bag and take it to their desk to observe any changes. To keep the seeds damp, a spray bottle works best to mist the paper towels when they start to dry out.

Use a seed observation journal for students to record the changes and explain what they observe. Once the seeds have germinated and begin to form roots, plant the seedlings in a cup of potting soil.

From dissecting to germinating, these easy seed science experiments are a fun, hands-on way for your students to learn about the life cycle of plants and how seeds grow.

The teaching materials pictured in this post are part of a complete plant life cycle science unit for Grades 1-3 with detailed lesson plans, a 9-lesson teaching PowerPoint, science experiments, and culminating flower booklet.

Click here to see more of this complete science unit.

Would you like FREE plants posters for your classroom?

Drop in in your personal email address and I’ll send them to you! (Your personal email is best-Schools often block outside emails with attachments) Check all of your “other” folders if you don’t see the email.

Be sure to pin this post for later so you’ll have it when you plan!

Check out these related posts for more science activities and creative ways to get your students writing about science!

Click on the pictures to read the posts.

Happy teaching!

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11 comments.

February 26 at 2:09 pm

Hey can i please get the free plant posters? thank you!!!

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Hello Friends

I’m Linda Kamp, a 20 year primary grade teacher with a passion for creating educational materials that excite students and make learning fun! I'm so glad you're here!

Enjoy our range of fun science experiments for kids that feature awesome hands-on projects and activities that help bring the exciting world of science to life. Learn about seed germination with this fun science experiment for kids. Plant some seeds and follow the growth of the seedlings as they sprout from the soil while making sure to take proper care of them with just the right amount of light, heat and water. Have fun growing plants with this cool science project for children.     Hopefully after a week of looking after them, your seedlings will be on their way. Germination is the process of a plant emerging from a seed and beginning to grow. For seedlings to grow properly from a seed they need the right conditions. Water and oxygen are required for seeds to germinate. Many seeds germinate at a temperature just above normal room temperature but others respond better to warmer temperatures, cooler temperatures or even changes in temperature. While light can be an important trigger for germination, some seeds actually need darkness to germinate, if you buy seeds it should mention the requirements for that specific type of seed in the instructions. Continue to look after your seedlings and monitor their growth. For further experiments you could compare the growth rates of different types of seeds or the effect of different conditions on their growth.     Science Kids ©  |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |  Updated: Oct 9, 2023 Student Sheet 5 – Investigating Seed Germination Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share via Email Age Ranges: This is a simple experiment to investigate the germination of seed under different conditions, by growing seeds upright in Petri dishes. While simple enough to be used at KS2, the practical can be used for investigations at GCSE and post-16. The experiment allows students to make quantitative measurements of root / shoot growth, length of root hairs, etc, as well as % germination. By rotating the dishes, some tropic effects can also be investigated. This technique can be used to investigate the effects of acid rain and its effects on germination, by filling the reservoir with an appropriate solution. Cress seeds  are often used for germination experiments, but we find that white mustard ( Brassica alba ) seed is generally cheaper and easier to handle, and somewhat more reliable in germination. Download the student sheet and teachers’ notes from the links on the right. What's included? SAPS Sheet 5 - Investigating Seed Germination - grid templates SAPS Sheet 5 - Investigating Seed Germination - Student Notes SAPS Sheet 5 - Investigating Seed Germination - Student Sheet SAPS Sheet 5 - Investigating Seed Germination - Technical and Teaching Notes Cells and tissues How plants grow Plant growth Plant reproduction Reproduction Essential practicals Related content Teaching resources. Seed Dispersal - physics and biology at Key Stage 3 Fruits, Seeds and their Dispersal Growing seeds in a plastic bag Using Cress in the Lab Student Sheet 8 - Phototropism: the Response of Seedlings to Light s Science Experiments ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] A is a small embryonic plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat, usually with some stored food. It is the product of the ripened ovule of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants which occurs after fertilization and some growth within the mother plant. is the process in which a seed or spore emerges from a period of dormancy. A is the part of a plant that can grow into a new plant. It is a reproductive structure which disperses, and can survive for some time. A typical seed includes three basic parts: (1) an embryo, (2) a supply of nutrients for the embryo, and (3) a seed coat. There are many different kinds of seeds. Some plants make a lot of seeds, some make only a few. Seeds are often hard and very small, but some are larger. The coconut is as big as a child's head, but it contains more than just a seed. A seed needs water, air and warmth but not sunlight to germinate (become a seedling). Because most kinds of seeds carry the food that helps the new plant begin to grow, many kinds of seeds are good food for animals and people. Seeds are often inside fruits. The many kinds of grain that people grow, such as rice, wheat, and maize, are all seeds. Seeds have been an important development in the reproduction and spread of flowering plants, relative to more primitive plants like mosses, ferns and liverworts, which do not have seeds and use other means to propagate themselves. This can be seen by the success of seed plants (both gymnosperms and angiosperms) in dominating biological niches on land, from forests to grasslands both in hot and cold climates. Seeds have been an important development in the reproduction and spread of flowering plants, relative to more primitive plants like mosses, ferns and liverworts, which do not have seeds and use other means to propagate themselves. This can be seen by the success of seed plants (both gymnosperms and angiosperms) in dominating biological niches on land, from forests to grasslands both in hot and cold climates. Gymnosperms have naked seeds (that's what the word means), whereas Angiosperms have covered seeds, namely, fruits. This is a further evolutionary advance. The origin of seeds was probably in the middle Devonian. As with modern ferns, most land plants before this time reproduced by sending spores into the air. The spores would land and become new plants only in favourable conditions. Spores have little food stored, and may be just single cells rather than embryos. The first true seeds are from the upper Devonian, which is probably the theatre of their first evolutionary radiation. The seed plants progressively became one of the major elements of nearly all ecosystems. The formation of the seed completes the process of reproduction in seed plants (started with the development of flowers and pollination), with the embryo developed from the zygote and the seed coat from the integuments of the ovule. Seeds have been an important development in the reproduction and spread of flowering plants, relative to more primitive plants like mosses, ferns and liverworts, which do not have seeds and use other means to propagate themselves. This can be seen by the success of seed plants (both gymnosperms and angiosperms) in dominating biological niches on land, from forests to grasslands both in hot and cold climates. The term also has a general meaning that predates the above � anything that can be sown i.e. "seed" potatoes, "seeds" of corn or sunflower "seeds". In the case of sunflower and corn "seeds", what is sown is the seed enclosed in a shell or hull, and the potato is a tuber. A typical seed includes three basic parts: (1) an embryo, (2) a supply of nutrients for the embryo, and (3) a seed coat. The is an immature plant from which a new plant will grow under proper conditions. The embryo has one cotyledon or seed leaf in monocotyledons, two cotyledons in almost all dicotyledons and two or more in gymnosperms. The radicle is the embryonic root. The plumule is the embryonic shoot. The embryonic stem above the point of attachment of the cotyledon(s) is the epicotyl. The embryonic stem below the point of attachment is the hypocotyl. Within the seed, there usually is a for the seedling that will grow from the embryo. The form of the stored nutrition varies depending on the kind of plant. In angiosperms, the stored food begins as a tissue called the endosperm, which is derived from the parent plant via double fertilization. The usually triploid endosperm is rich in oil or starch and protein. In gymnosperms, such as conifers, the food storage tissue is part of the female gametophyte, a haploid tissue. In some species, the embryo is embedded in the endosperm or female gametophyte, which the seedling will use upon germination. In others, the endosperm is absorbed by the embryo as the latter grows within the developing seed, and the cotyledons of the embryo become filled with this stored food. At maturity, seeds of these species have no endosperm and are termed exalbuminous seeds. Some exalbuminous seeds are bean, pea, oak, walnut, squash, sunflower, and radish. Seeds with an endosperm at maturity are termed albuminous seeds. Most monocots (e.g. grasses and palms) and many dicots (e.g. brazil nut and castor bean) have albuminous seeds. All gymnosperm seeds are albuminous. The (or testa) develops from the tissue, the integument, originally surrounding the ovule. The seed coat in the mature seed can be a paper-thin layer (e.g. peanut) or something more substantial (e.g. thick and hard in honey locust and coconut). The seed coat helps protect the embryo from mechanical injury and from drying out. In addition to the three basic seed parts, some seeds have an appendage on the seed coat such an aril (as in yew and nutmeg) or an elaiosome (as in Corydalis) or hairs (as in cotton). There may also be a scar on the seed coat, called the hilum; it is where the seed was attached to the ovary wall by the funiculus. Many structures commonly referred to as "seeds" are actually dry fruits. Sunflower seeds are sold commercially while still enclosed within the hard wall of the fruit, which must be split open to reach the seed. Different groups of plants have other modifications, the so-called stone fruits (such as the peach) have a hardened fruit layer ( the endocarp) fused to and surrounding the actual seed. Nuts are the one-seeded, hard shelled fruit, of some plants, with an indehiscent seed, such as an acorn or hazelnut. The seed, which is an embryo with two points of growth (one of which forms the stems the other the roots) is enclosed in a seed coat with some food reserves. Angiosperm seeds consist of three genetically distinct constituents: (1) the embryo formed from the zygote, (2) the endosperm, which is normally triploid, (3) the seed coat from tissue derived from the maternal tissue of the ovule. In angiosperms, the process of seed development begins with double fertilization and involves the fusion of the egg and sperm nuclei into a zygote. The second part of this process is the fusion of the polar nuclei with a second sperm cell nucleus, thus forming a primary endosperm. Right after fertilization, the zygote is mostly inactive but the primary endosperm divides rapidly to form the endosperm tissue. This tissue becomes the food that the young plant will consume until the roots have developed after germination or it develops into a hard seed coat. The seed coat forms from the two integuments or outer layers of cells of the ovule, which derive from tissue from the mother plant, the inner integument forms the tegmen and the outer forms the testa. When the seed coat forms from only one layer it is also called the testa, though not all such testa are homologous from one species to the next. Seeds are very diverse in size. The dust-like orchid seeds are the smallest with about one million seeds per gram, they are often embryonic seeds with immature embryos and no significant energy reserves. Orchids and a few other groups of plants are myco-heterotrophs which depend on mycorrhizal fungi for nutrition during germination and the early growth of the seedling. Some terrestrial Orchid seedlings, in fact, spend the first few years of their life deriving energy from the fungus and do not produce green leaves. At over 20 kg, the largest seed is the coco de mer. Plants that produce smaller seeds can generate many more seeds per flower, while plants with larger seeds invest more resources into those seeds and normally produce fewer seeds. Small seeds are quicker to ripen and can be dispersed sooner, so fall blooming plants often have small seeds. Many annual plants produce great quantities of smaller seeds; this helps to ensure that at least a few will end in a favorable place for growth. Herbaceous perennials and woody plants often have larger seeds, they can produce seeds over many years, and larger seeds have more energy reserves for germination and seedling growth and produce larger, more established seedlings after germination. Seeds serve several functions for the plants that produce them. Key among these functions are nourishment of the embryo, dispersal to a new location, and dormancy during unfavorable conditions. Seeds fundamentally are a means of reproduction and most seeds are the product of sexual reproduction which produces a remixing of genetic material and phenotype variability that natural selection acts on. is a condition of plant seeds that prevents germinating under optimal environmental conditions. Living, non dormant seeds, germinate when soil temperatures and moisture conditions are suited for cellular processes and division, dormant seeds do not. One important function of most seeds is delayed germination, which allows time for dispersal and prevents germination of all the seeds at same time. The staggering of germination safeguards some seeds and seedlings from suffering damage or death from short periods of bad weather or from transient herbivores; it also allows some seeds to germinate when competition from other plants for light and water might be less intense. Another form of delayed seed germination is seed quiescence, which is different than true seed dormancy and occurs when a seed fails to germinate because the external environmental conditions are too dry or warm or cold for germination. Many species of plants have seeds that delay germination for many months or years, and some seeds can remain in the soil seed bank for more than 50 years before germination. Some seeds have a very long viability period, and the oldest documented germinating seed was nearly 2000 years old based on radiocarbon dating. is different from . While seed dormancy can be defined as "a seed not germinating when conditions, e.g. light, water/nutrient availability or the presence of activating substances like smoke, are favourable", hibernation is the ability of a seed to remain in hibernation when there is a lack of things essential to its development (water, sunlight, nutrients, etc.) or in harsh conditions (extreme cold, extreme heat, hard ground, etc.). There is no specific time limit in which a seed may hibernate; some seeds found in the Arctic grew after an estimated 10,000 years. When conditions are right for the particular type of seed, they can come out of hibernation and grow. A is a young plant sporophyte developing out of a plant embryo from a seed. Seedling development starts with germination of the seed. A typical young seedling consists of three main parts: the radicle (embryonic root), the hypocotyl (embryonic shoot), and the cotyledons (seed leaves). The two classes of flowering plants are distinguished by their numbers of seed leaves: Monocotyledons (monocots) have one blade-shaped cotyledon, whereas dicotyledons (dicots) have two round cotyledons. Gymnosperms are more varied. For example, pine seedlings have up to eight cotyledons. The seedlings of some flowering plants have no cotyledons at all. These are said to be acotyledons. The origin of seed plants is a problem that still remains unsolved. However, more and more data tends to place this origin in the middle Devonian. The description in 2004 of the proto-seed Runcaria heinzelinii in the Givetian of Belgium is an indication of that ancient origin of seed-plants. As with modern ferns, most land plants before this time reproduced by sending spores into the air, that would land and become whole new plants. The first "true" seeds are described from the upper Devonian, which is probably the theater of their true first evolutionary radiation. The seed plants progressively became one of the major elements of nearly all ecosystems. Many seeds are edible and the majority of human calories comes from seeds, especially from cereals, legumes and nuts. Seeds also provide most cooking oils, many beverages and spices and some important food additives. In different seeds the seed embryo or the endosperm dominates and provides most of the nutrients. The storage proteins of the embryo and endosperm differ in their amino acid content and physical properties. For example the gluten of wheat, important in providing the elastic property to bread dough is strictly an endosperm protein. While some seeds are edible, others are harmful, poisonous or deadly. Plants and seeds often contain chemical compounds to discourage herbivores and seed predators. In some cases, these compounds simply taste bad (such as in mustard), but other compounds are toxic or break down into toxic compounds within the digestive system. Children, being smaller than adults, are more susceptible to poisoning by plants and seeds. is the process in which a seed or spore emerges from a period of dormancy. The most common example of germination is the sprouting of a seedling from a seed of an angiosperm or gymnosperm. However the growth of a sporeling from a spore, for example the growth of hyphae from fungal spores, is also germination. In a more general sense, germination can imply anything expanding into greater being from a small existence or germ. Germination is the growth of an embryonic plant contained within a seed; it results in the formation of the seedling. The seed of a higher plant is a small package produced in a fruit or cone after the union of male and female sex cells. All fully developed seeds contain an embryo and, in most plant species some store of food reserves, wrapped in a seed coat. Some plants produce varying numbers of seeds that lack embryos, these are called empty seeds, and never germinate. Most seeds go through a period of quiescence where there is no active growth; during this time the seed can be safely transported to a new location and/or survive adverse climate conditions until circumstances are favorable for growth. Quiescent seeds are ripe seeds that do not germinate because they are subject to external environmental conditions that prevent the initiation of metabolic processes and cell growth. Under favorable conditions, the seed begins to germinate and the embryonic tissues resume growth, developing towards a seedling. Seed germination depends on both internal and external conditions. The most important external factors include temperature, water, oxygen and sometimes light or darkness. Various plants require different variables for successful seed germination, often this depends on the individual seed variety and is closely linked to the ecological conditions of a plant's natural habitat. For some seeds, their future germination response is affected by environmental conditions during seed formation; most often these responses are types of seed dormancy. The describes how many seeds of a particular plant species, variety or seedlot are likely to germinate. It is usually expressed as a percentage, e.g., an 85% germination rate indicates that about 85 out of 100 seeds will probably germinate under proper conditions. The germination rate is useful for calculating the seed requirements for a given area or desired number of plants. Another germination event during the life cycle of gymnosperms and flowering plants is the germination of a pollen grain after pollination. Like seeds, pollen grains are severely dehydrated before being released to facilitate their dispersal from one plant to another. They consist of a protective coat containing several cells (up to 8 in gymnosperms, 2-3 in flowering plants). One of these cells is a tube cell. Once the pollen grain lands on the stigma of a receptive flower (or a female cone in gymnosperms), it takes up water and germinates. Pollen germination is facilitated by hydration on the stigma, as well as by the structure and physiology of the stigma and style. Pollen can also be induced to germinate in vitro (in a petri dish or test tube). Source: (All text is available under the terms of the and .)                Investigation: What Factors Affect Seed Germination? Introduction In the spring, flowers begin to bloom and you may see sprouts in the garden. How do plants know when it's spring and when to grow? If a seed grew too early, it might be exposed to a harsh cold environment. If it grew too late, it might not have enough water to survive. The process by which an organism grows from a seed into a plant is called germination . The seed of a plant is the embryo, and it contains enough energy for the plant to survive until it is time to start growing. In some cases, these seeds can survive for years. What triggers the seed to start growing? It varies by plant and by the environmental conditions where the plant grows. The giant sequoia trees of California require fire to germinate. This adaptation ensures that new trees will grow when there is an opening created by the death of other trees. If the seeds germinated without fire, the seedlings would be too shaded to grow. Not all plants need fire to start growing, but most do take the cues from the environment. In this activity, you will investigate factors that can affect the germination of a seedling. Part 1: Consider a Question / Hypothesis Several variables might affect the germination, these variables include: light, temperature, water, soil type, air quality. Choose ONE variable to investigate. Write a hypothesis below. Remember, that the hypothesis should be a complete sentence that can be tested. Part 2: Design an Experiment With your lab group, determine how you could test the variable. What kind of data will you gather? Will you have a control group? What kind of materials or equipment will you need? How many seeds will you use? Available Materials ( other materials may be available, check with your instructor ): radish or bean seeds, ziploc bags, paper towels, window/sunlight, water, vinegar, soil, refrigerator Sketch or describe your experiment below. Your instructor will approve your plan before you set it up. Part 3: Gather Data Most seeds will germinate in a few days. Plan to make observations over the next few days and organize your observations below. Be as detailed as you can about what you see. Part 4: Publish Your Results Create a lab report or infographic that includes the following information from this investigation. You have written things down on this paper, now it is time to organize the information into a formal report. This report should include four detailed sections. 1. Introduction : includes background information about the lab and your hypothesis 2. Experimental Design : include a drawing and/or description of how you set up your experiment 3. Data : Organize observations into a data table 4. Conclusions : Use your data to answer the experimental question. Be specific in how you write this, your conclusions must follow your data, even if they didn't turn out as you were expecting. 5. Reflection :   In this section, discuss how your results may provide insights into how the environment can affect plants in general and how this information can be useful to humans.  For example why would farmers need to consider germination factors when planting crops? Excellent 3 pts Good - 2 pts Needs Work - 1 pt Question/Hypothesis written as a complete sentence, question is restated as a prediction that can be tested Unclear phrasing, does include at least one question and answer question is not answered, hypothesis not stated in a way that can be tested Design the procedure will accurately test the hypothesis, can be followed easily, materials listed or described procedure does test the hypothesis, parts are unclear or may not fully test, some materials are listed procedure likely will not test the hypothesis as stated, procedure unclear, materials not listed Data Clearly shows the all results of the experiment and includes a time frame, descriptors and any quantitative data taken, well organized, Shows some results with some time frame and descriptors, organization lacking or hard to follow results missing, hard to follow, only addresses part of the experiment, lack of organization Conclusions Summarizes the essential data used to draw conclusions; conclusions follow data (not wild guesses or leaps of logic), the experimental question is answered Summarizes data, answers some of the experimental questions, includes a reference to the data Does not answer question or summarize data, does not follow data or contains major errors in reasoning Reflection Provides a thoughtful opinion about how this information can be useful to scientists, farmers, or humans Attempt to reflect upon the experimental results and its uses Does not provide coherent reflection Other Lessons on Plants Investigation – Rate of Photosynthesis  – using baking soda, elodea and light, measure the bubbles to observe how fast a plant photosynthesizes and releases oxygen Investigation – Algae Beads and Photosynthesis  – use algae cultures and sodium alginate, measure photosynthesis by changes in color of indicator Investigation: Photosynthesis  – this lab uses leaf disks that float to indicate photosynthesis.  Students investigate factors that affect photosynthesis.  (AP Lab) Investigation: Photosynthesis and Plant Growth (virtual)  – use a virtual app to show how plant growth changes in response to light color and light intensity Investigation: Separation of Plant Pigments  – use chromatography to show how leaves contain pigments that separate BiologyDiscussion.com Follow Us On: Google Plus Publish Now Experiments on Seed Germination | Botany ADVERTISEMENTS: The below mentioned article includes a collection of six experiments that demonstrates the effect of pollution on seed germination. 1. Experiment to study the effect of polluted water on seed germination of any crop : Requirements: Polluted water, flask, distilled water, petri-dishes (7), blotting paper, seeds, and tap water. 1. Take about one liter polluted water in a flask and treat it as of 100% concentration. 2. Prepare its various concentrations (1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 50%) by adding distilled water. 3. Place a blotting paper in each petri-dish in such a way so that it completely covers the base of each petri-dish. 4. Put a few drops of water to make the blotting paper wet. 5. With the help of a coloured pencil, mark 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50% and 100% on different petri-dishes and pour 20 ml each of each of the concentrations of polluted water in respective petri- dishes. 6. Pour only distilled water in one petri-dish and mark it as ‘control’. 7. Place 50 seeds in each petri-dish in such a way so that about the half of the part of each seed remains submerged in water. 8. Wait for about 5 days and then note the number of seeds germinated in each petri-dish. Calculate the germination percentage (Table 4.19): cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional 11 months The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary 11 months This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". cookielawinfo-checkbox-others 11 months This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance 11 months This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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[ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] Click here to enlarge figure Seed Morphology and Quality Traits in S. clandestina subsp. pelopponesiaca and S. scardica Diaspore Partial fruit (mericarp) Fruit type Microbasarium Embryo type Axial-spatulate Embryo colour White Dispersal aids None Diaspore colour Brown Diaspore surface Rough (verrucose) Perisperm present No Endosperm ruminate 0 Seed configuration Anatropous Relative size embryo Dominant (3/4 plus) Diaspore size remarks Diaspore is one-seeded mericarp Mechanical protection of seed Pericarp Seed oil content 28–38% Seed protein content 14–23% Diaspore shape Ovoid with flat ventral side (S. clandestina)/Obovoid (S. scardica) Diaspore size length 2.1–2.4 mm (S. clandestina subsp. pelopponesiaca)/2.0–2.5 mm (S. scardica) Diaspore size width 1.5–1.8 mm (S. clandestina subsp. pelopponesiaca)/1.6–1.7 mm (S. scardica) Diaspore size thickness (or height) 1.1–1.2 mm (S. clandestina subsp. pelopponesiaca)/1.4–1.7 mm (S. scardica) Seed size (length × width × thickness) 3.5–5.2 mm (S. clandestina subsp. pelopponesiaca)/4.5–7.2 mm (S. scardica) Absolute mass (weight of 1000 seeds) 0.6067 g (S. clandestina subsp. pelopponesiaca)/0.9533 g (S. scardica) Treatments Lighting Conditions Photoperiod Regime Light Absorption Wavelength Spectrum (nm) Light Spectral Composition (%) Light Spectral Composition Ratio Light Intensity (μmol m s ) GA (mg L ) Treatment Code WFL-BG-40 16 h light/ 8 h dark 400–700 36%G:32%B:9%Y:9%O:9%R:5%V * 4G:4B:1Y:1O:1R:1/2V (mainly blue-green, 1B:1G) 40 250 WFL-BG-40-250GA 500 WFL-BG-40-500GA LED-BGYOR-40 16 h light/ 8 h dark 430–690 33%G: 22%B: 22%R: 11%O: 9%Y 3G: 2B: 2R: 1O: 1Y (mainly blue: green: red, 1B:2G:1R) 40 250 LED-BGYOR-40-250GA 500 LED-BGYOR-40-500GA LED-BR-40 16 h light/ 8 h dark 430–690 63%R: 21%B: 7%G: 7%O: 2%Y 9R:3B:1G:1O:¼Y (mainly blue-red, 1B:3R) 40 250 LED-BR-40-250GA 500 LED-BR-40-500GA LED-BR-80 16 h light/ 8 h dark 430–690 63%R: 21%B: 7%G: 7%O: 2%Y 9R:3B:1G:1O:¼Y (mainly blue-red, 1B:3R) 80 250 LED-BR-80-250GA 500 LED-BR-80-500GA 24 h dark complete darkness - - - - 250 24 h dark-250GA 500 24 h dark-500GA Treatments Lighting Conditions Photoperiod Regime Light Absorption Wavelength Spectrum (nm) Light Spectral Composition (%) Light Spectral Composition Ratio Light Intensity (μmol m s ) GA (mg L ) Treatment Code WFL-BG-40 16 h light/ 8 h dark 400–700 36%G:32%B:9%Y:9%O:9%R:5%V * 4G:4B:1Y:1O:1R:1/2V (mainly blue-green, 1B:1G) 40 250 WFL-BG-40-250GA LED-BGYOR-40 16 h light/ 8 h dark 430–690 33%G: 22%B: 22%R: 11%O: 9%Y 3G: 2B: 2R: 1O: 1Y (mainly blue: green: red, 1B:2G:1R) 40 250 LED-BGYOR-40-250GA LED-BR-80 16 h light/ 8 h dark 430–690 63%R: 21%B: 7%G: 7%O: 2%Y 9R:3B:1G:1O:¼Y (mainly blue-red, 1B:3R) 80 250 LED-BR-40-250GA LED-BR-120 16 h light/ 8 h dark 430–690 63%R: 21%B: 7%G: 7%O: 2%Y 9R:3B:1G:1O:¼Y (mainly blue-red, 1B:3R) 120 250 LED-BR-80-250GA Treatment Initial Number of Seeds Number of Disinfected Seeds Number of Infected Seeds Disinfection Success (%) Total Infections (%) Fungal Infections (%) Bacteria Infections (%) Lighting Type GA Concentration (mg L ) Treatment Code WFL-BG-40 250 WFL-BG-40-250GA 25 25 0 100 0 0 0 500 WFL-BG-40-500GA 25 25 0 100 0 0 0 LED-BGYOR-40 250 LED-BGYOR-40-250GA 25 25 0 100 0 0 0 500 LED-BGYOR-40-500GA 25 20 5 80 20 20 0 LED-BR-40 250 LED-BR-40-250GA 25 20 5 80 20 20 0 500 LED-BR-40-500GA 25 20 5 80 20 20 0 LED-BR-80 250 LED-BR-80-250GA 25 20 5 80 20 0 20 500 LED-BR-80-500GA 25 15 10 60 40 20 20 24 h dark 250 24 h dark-250GA 25 15 10 60 40 20 20 500 24 h dark-500GA 25 20 5 80 20 0 20 Mean value 82 18 10 8 Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) Germination (%) Total Only Radicle Radicle + Sprout p-values (2-way ANOVA/General Linear Model): WFL-BG-40 Culture period in days (A) 0.983 ns 0.965 ns 0.986 ns GA concentration (B) 0.000 *** 0.000 *** 0.011 * (A)*(B) 0.993 ns 0.965 ns 0.999 ns p-values (2-way ANOVA/General Linear Model): LED-BGYOR-40 Culture period in days (A) 1.000 ns 0.181 ns 0.881 ns GA concentration (B) 0.000 *** 0.035 * 0.000 *** (A)*(B) 1.000 ns 0.181 ns 0.955 ns p-values (2-way ANOVA/General Linear Model): LED-BR-40 Culture period in days (A) 0.004 ** 0.542 ns 0.074 ns GA concentration (B) 0.000 *** 0.005 ** 0.002 ** (A)*(B) 0.729 ns 0.542 ns 0.970 ns p-values (2-way ANOVA/General Linear Model): LED-BR-80 Culture period in days (A) 0.000 *** 0.472 ns 0.000 *** GA concentration (B) 0.000 *** 0.000 *** 0.000 *** (A)*(B) 0.000 *** 0.472 ns 0.000 *** p-values (2-way ANOVA/General Linear Model): 24 h dark Culture period in days (A) 0.020 * 0.155 ns 0.001 ** GA concentration (B) 0.027 * 0.002 ** 0.371 ns (A)*(B) 0.946 ns 0.719 ns 0.428 ns p-values (2-way ANOVA/General Linear Model): 250 mg L GA Lighting type (A) 0.000 *** 0.000 *** 0.000 *** Culture period in days (B) 0.000 *** 0.498 ns 0.000 *** (A)*(B) 0.387 ns 0.732 ns 0.107 ns p-values (2-way ANOVA/General Linear Model): 500 mg L GA Lighting type (A) 0.000 *** 0.000 *** 0.000 *** Culture period in days (B) 0.000 *** 0.296 ns 0.001 ** (A)*(B) 0.283 ns 0.774 ns 0.692 ns p-values (3-way ANOVA/General Linear Model) Lighting type (A) 0.000 *** 0.000 *** 0.000 *** Culture period in days (B) 0.000 *** 0.291 ns 0.000 *** GA concentration (C) 0.000 *** 0.000 *** 0.000 *** (A)*(B) 0.657 ns 0.736 ns 0.722 ns (A)*(C) 0.000 *** 0.000 *** 0.000 *** (B)*(C) 0.077 ns 0.661 ns 0.023 * (A)*(B)*(C) 0.154 ns 0.751 ns 0.014 * Treatments Maximum total Germination (%) Day of Maximum Germination Germination Onset Day t GSI GE (%) Energy Period (in Days) MGT (in Days) Lighting Regime GA (mg L ) Treatment Code WFL-BG-40 250 WFL-BG-40-250GA 12 15 15 14 0.47 50 27 49.10 500 WFL-BG-40-500GA 4 100 100 85 0.02 100 100 107.5 LED-BGYOR-40 250 LED-BGYOR-40-250GA 8 13 13 13 0.52 50 20 45.82 500 LED-BGYOR-40-500GA 5 115 115 107.5 0.01 100 115 115 LED-BR-40 250 LED-BR-40-250GA 10 70 41 41 0.06 50 55 83.25 500 LED-BR-40-500GA 15 27 13 23.5 0.40 50 41 53.92 LED-BR-80 250 LED-BR-80-250GA 40 31 15 17 0.66 16.67 550 56.35 500 LED-BR-80-500GA 0 - - - 0 0 - - 24 h dark 250 24 h dark-250GA 13.33 27 20 20 0.15 100 27 59.86 500 24 h dark-500GA 10 55 31 31 0.08 50 80 80.11 Treatments Multiple Shoot Induction (%) Number of New Shoots/Seedling Height of Seedling (cm) Shoot Proliferation Rate Root Number Root Length (cm) Lighting Regime GA (mg L ) Treatment Code WFL-BG-40 250 WFL-BG-40-250GA 0.0 ± 0.0 b 0.0 ± 0.0 b 2.00 ± 0.27 d 1.33 ± 0.07 e 3.00 ± 0.15 b 2.50 ± 0.33 c 500 WFL-BG-40-500GA 0.0 ± 0.0 b 0.0 ± 0.0 b 1.00 ± 0.40 e 1.00 ± 0.05 f 1.00 ± 0.05 d 0.50 ± 0.03 e LED-BGYOR-40 250 LED-BGYOR-40-250GA 0.0 ± 0.0 b 0.0 ± 0.0 b 8.00 ± 0.40 a 5.33 ± 0.27 a 5.00 ± 0.25 a 6.00 ± 0.60 a 500 LED-BGYOR-40-500GA 0.0 ± 0.0 b 0.0 ± 0.0 b 2.50 ± 0.21 d 1.67 ± 0.08 d 1.50 ± 0.50 cd 1.50 ± 0.35 d LED-BR-40 250 LED-BR-40-250GA 0.0 ± 0.0 b 0.0 ± 0.0 b 1.50 ± 0.10 e 1.00 ± 0.05 f 1.00 ± 0.35 d 1.00 ± 0.15 d 500 LED-BR-40-500GA 0.0 ± 0.0 b 0.0 ± 0.0 b 5.00 ± 0.25 b 3.33 ± 0.17 b 2.00 ± 0.40 c 2.00 ± 0.20 c LED-BR-80 250 LED-BR-80-250GA 50.0 ± 0.0 a 3.0 ± 0.2 a 3.00 ± 0.10 c 5.00 ± 0.25 a 2.50 ± 0.50 c 3.00 ± 0.30 b 500 LED-BR-80-500GA - - - - - - 24 h dark 250 24 h dark-250GA 0.0 ± 0.0 b 0.0 ± 0.0 b 2.00 ± 0.20 d 1.33 ± 0.07 e 1.00 ± 0.08 d 0.50 ± 0.00 e 500 24 h dark-500GA 0.0 ± 0.0 b 0.0 ± 0.0 b 2.50 ± 0.30 d 1.67 ± 0.08 d 1.00 ± 0.12 d 0.50 ± 0.00 e Treatment Initial Number of Seeds Number of Disinfected Seeds Number of Infected Seeds Disinfection Success (%) Total Infected Seeds (%) Fungal Infected Seeds (%) Bacteria Infected Seeds (%) Lighting Type GA Concentration (mg L ) Treatment Code WFL-BG-40 250 WFL-BG-40-250GA 64 12 52 18.75 81.25 50.00 31.25 LED-BGYOR-40 250 LED-BGYOR-40-250GA 64 20 44 31.25 68.75 31.25 37.50 LED-BR-80 250 LED-BR-80-250GA 64 16 48 25.00 75.00 43.75 31.25 LED-BR-120 250 LED-BR-120-250GA 64 20 44 31.25 68.75 37.50 31.25 Mean value 26.56 73.44 40.63 32.81 Treatments Maximum Total Germination (%) Day of Maximum Germination Germination Onset Day t GSI GE (%) Energy Period (in Days) MGT (in Days) WFL-BG-40 0 106 - - 0 0 - - LED-BGYOR-40 80 42 21 25.5 0.74 25 42 61.95 LED-BR-80 50 30 21 21 0.38 100 30 61.50 LED-BR-120 60 47 21 25.5 0.48 66.67 47 63.53 Treatments Height of Seedling (cm) Shoot Proliferation Rate Root Number Root Length (cm) WFL-BG-40 0.00 ± 0.00 c 0.00 ± 0.00 c 0.00 ± 0.00 d 0.00 ± 0.00 c LED-BGYOR-40 4.13 ± 0.21 b 2.50 ± 0.23 b 1.75 ± 0.09 b 3.54 ± 0.18 b LED-BR-80 3.75 ± 0.19 b 2.00 ± 0.20 b 1.00 ± 0.05 c 4.50 ± 0.23 a LED-BR-120 6.33 ± 0.32 a 4.00 ± 0.40 a 3.67 ± 0.18 a 3.60 ± 0.18 b The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. Share and Cite Sarropoulou, V.; Grigoriadou, K.; Maloupa, E.; Chatzopoulou, P. Enhancement of In Vitro Seed Germination, Growth, and Root Development in Two Sideritis Species through GA 3 Application and Diverse LED Light Conditions. Seeds 2024 , 3 , 411-435. https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds3030029 Sarropoulou V, Grigoriadou K, Maloupa E, Chatzopoulou P. Enhancement of In Vitro Seed Germination, Growth, and Root Development in Two Sideritis Species through GA 3 Application and Diverse LED Light Conditions. Seeds . 2024; 3(3):411-435. https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds3030029 Sarropoulou, Virginia, Katerina Grigoriadou, Eleni Maloupa, and Paschalina Chatzopoulou. 2024. "Enhancement of In Vitro Seed Germination, Growth, and Root Development in Two Sideritis Species through GA 3 Application and Diverse LED Light Conditions" Seeds 3, no. 3: 411-435. https://doi.org/10.3390/seeds3030029 Article Metrics Article access statistics, supplementary material. ZIP-Document (ZIP, 182 KiB) Further Information Mdpi initiatives, follow mdpi. Subscribe to receive issue release notifications and newsletters from MDPI journals Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript. View all journals Explore content About the journal Publish with us Sign up for alerts Research Briefing Published: 23 August 2024 aChIP for comprehensive chromatin profiling in economically important plant organs Nature Plants ( 2024 ) Cite this article Metrics details Histone analysis Microbiology techniques We developed aChIP, an advanced chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP–seq) method for economically important plant organs (EIPOs). aChIP provides a valuable epigenomics resource that comprises 14 representative EIPOs, and reveals the dynamics and functions of histone modification landscapes during rapeseed seed dormancy and germination. This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution Access options Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription 24,99 € / 30 days cancel any time Subscribe to this journal Receive 12 digital issues and online access to articles 111,21 € per year only 9,27 € per issue Buy this article Purchase on SpringerLink Instant access to full article PDF Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout Kaufmann, K. et al. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) of plant transcription factors followed by sequencing (ChIP-SEQ) or hybridization to whole genome arrays (ChIP-CHIP). Nat. Protocols 5 , 457–472 (2010). This paper provides the regular ChIP–seq method for plants. Article   CAS   PubMed   Google Scholar   Zhao, L. et al. Integrative analysis of reference epigenomes in 20 rice varieties. Nat. Commun. 11 , 2658 (2020). This paper provides an eChIP method for plant vegetative tissues, and profiles 20 rice epigenomes. Article   CAS   PubMed   PubMed Central   Google Scholar   Lane, A. K., Niederhuth, C. E., Ji, L. & Schmitz, R. J. pENCODE: a plant encyclopedia of DNA elements. Ann. Rev. Genet. 48 , 49–70 (2014). This review focuses on the importance and challenges of establishing ENCODE projects in plants. Fu, L. Y. & Zhu, T. ChIP-Hub provides an integrative platform for exploring plant regulome. Nat. Commun. 13 , 3413 (2022). This paper collected a large amount of published plant ChIP–seq data and provides a visualization platform. Download references Additional information Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. This is a summary of: Zhang, Q. et al. aChIP is an efficient and sensitive ChIP-seq technique for economically important plant organs. Nat. Plants https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-024-01743-7 (2024). Rights and permissions Reprints and permissions About this article Cite this article. aChIP for comprehensive chromatin profiling in economically important plant organs. Nat. Plants (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-024-01744-6 Download citation Published : 23 August 2024 DOI : https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-024-01744-6 Share this article Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article. Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative Quick links Explore articles by subject Guide to authors Editorial policies Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily. 322 IMAGES Seed Germination Experiment For Kids Seed Germination Experiment Learn What Seeds Need to Germinate with this Science Experiment Seed Germination Bean in a Jar Experiment for Kids Seed Germination Bean in a Jar Experiment for Kids Seed Germination Experiment COMMENTS Seed Germination Experiment Turn It Into A Science Project. This simple seed experiment is a great introduction for preschoolers to growing plants, and a fun plant experiment for older kids to investigate what conditions seeds need to germinate.. Older kids can use a science experiment worksheet to write down their observations about how the seeds are growing. Seed Germination Experiment Seed Germination Experiment: The Results! One of the reasons I love doing seed germination with kids is how quickly the seeds start to grow. For this seed growth experiment, our seeds started to root on Day 2! By the next day, there were sprouts, too. And by Day 5, three of our four seeds were growing strong! Seed Germinator This seed germinator makes it easy to design and perform experiments to determine the materials and conditions seeds need in order to germinate and grow. The effects of temperature, light levels, and water conditions (such as pH or salinity), as well as the presence or absence of various nutrients are all factors you can investigate. Seed Germination Experiment For Kids A classic seed experiment Seed germination activities are a long-time favorite of educators. One of the classic seed experiments uses a resealable plastic bag, a paper towel or napkin, seeds and water. This is a low-cost, effective tool for teaching about seeds, germination, gravitropism and energy. It also provides a perfect environment for introducing the fundamentals of the An Easy Germination Science Experiment for Kids to Do Bean Seed Germination Experiment. Facts about Beans . A bean seed will grow into a bean plant. The plant will produce blossoms that will turn into beans. If left to mature. The beans will contain 5-6 bean seeds that can be re-planted. Some bean seeds are white, red, brown, or black. We have even planted red speckled bean seeds. Germinating Seeds in a Bag: Science Experiment for Kids Place the seeds along one side of the bag, pressing them against the paper towel. Seal the bag tightly, and hang in a window using tape. Make sure the beans are visible on the side of the window where the kids will be observing their seeds sprout. Wait 24 hours. You should be able to see the seeds start to pop open and sprout after this time. Seed Germination Experiment To become Dr. Biology's assistant, just read the information below and collect and analyze the data from the experiment. There is also a packet to download and print on your computer. It includes instructions about the experiment, information about seed germination, blank data cards, and graph paper to record your results. PDF Pocket Seed Experiment germinate at once, they can easily all be wiped out, either eaten or destroyed by unfavorable conditions. Some seeds germinate in the cooler temperatures of Spring, others in warmer temperatures of Summer. Some seeds are more likely to germinate in the light while others prefer the dark. The first thing to happen is the seed re-hydrates by How to grow a bean in a jar Swirl a small amount of water around the jar. Fold your napkin or kitchen roll and place it in the jar ( we made the kitchen roll very slightly damp also ). Place the bean seed in the jar resting on the napkin. Spray some water on the bean every few days. The bean should start to grow roots after a few days. This is called germination. Germination Abstract. Germination is the process by which a seed emerges from the seed coat. Many different variables can effect the process of germination. Try to sprout seeds from different species of plant to see if different species vary in germination time. Eleven Experiments with Radish Seeds To set up a seed germination experiment, use this basic procedure. Gather three or more small plates, depending on how many ways you will be treating your seeds. Place a folded wet paper towel on the plate. Place ten seeds on the wet paper towel. You can use more seeds—the more you have, the more reliable your results will be—but using ... Seed Lab Seeds all vary in size but each one represents the potential to grow into a new plant. Germination. When you add water whether directly or through condensation, warmth from the sun or a grow light, and oxygen to a seed it will start to sprout. This process is called germination. This is a fun step for the kids to watch. Factors Affecting Seed Germination In this experiment, you'll explore one of the most important factors affecting seed germination by finding out whether the amount of water a seed receives changes how quickly it germinates. A seed contains the beginnings of a new baby plant. To grow, this plant needs water. Water helps a plant with different processes inside the plant. Easy Seed Science Experiments & Parts of a Seed Activities From dissecting to germinating, these easy seed science experiments are a fun, hands-on way for your students to learn about the life cycle of plants and how seeds grow. The teaching materials pictured in this post are part of a complete plant life cycle science unit for Grades 1-3 with detailed lesson plans, a 9-lesson teaching PowerPoint ... Germination Germination in Dicots. The primary root emerges through the seed coats while the seed is still buried in the soil.; The hypocotyl emerges from the seed coats and pushes its way up through the soil. It is bent in a hairpin shape — the hypocotyl arch — as it grows up. The two cotyledons protect the epicotyl structures — the plumule — from mechanical damage. Plant Science Experiment: Seed Germination Plant science experiment for kids. Watch the day to day growth of seeds and their different stages.Visit our channel for more kids science experiments https:... Seed Germination Learn about seed germination with this fun science experiment for kids. Plant some seeds and follow the growth of the seedlings as they sprout from the soil while making sure to take proper care of them with just the right amount of light, heat and water. Have fun growing plants with this cool science project for children. Student Sheet 5 This is a simple experiment to investigate the germination of seed under different conditions, by growing seeds upright in Petri dishes. While simple enough to be used at KS2, the practical can be used for investigations at GCSE and post-16. The experiment allows students to make quantitative measurements of root / shoot growth, length of root ... Seeds & Germination K-12 Experiments and Background Information Seeds & Germination Background Information. Definitions. A seed is a small embryonic plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat, usually with some stored food. It is the product of the ripened ovule of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants which occurs after fertilization and some growth within the mother plant. Explore Seed Germination with the Student Centered Activity Available Materials ( other materials may be available, check with your instructor): radish or bean seeds, ziploc bags, paper towels, window/sunlight, water, vinegar, soil, refrigerator. Sketch or describe your experiment below. Your instructor will approve your plan before you set it up. Part 3: Gather Data. Most seeds will germinate in a few ... Factors affecting seed germination (e.g. soil, temperature, pH) Rapid Germination Seeds (assuming ideal moisture and temperature) Days to Germinate. Types of Plants. 3. Cucumber, Lettuce, Sweet Corn, Turnip: 4. ... The effect of pH on seed germination. In this experiment you use solutions of different pH from 2 to 11 instead of pure water. Handling low pH and high pH solutions requires goggles and other ... Process of Seed Germination: 5 Steps (With Diagram) The process of seed germination includes the following five changes or steps. Such five changes or steps occurring during seed germination are: (1) Imbibition (2) Respiration (3) Effect of Light on Seed Germination (4) Mobilization of Reserves during Seed Germination and Role of Growth Regulators and (5) Development of Embryo Axis into Seedling. Experiments on Seed Germination 100% seed germination is observed in distilled water and very low concentration (1 %) of saline water. Seed germination percentage decreases with the increase of concentration of saline water. 5. Experiment to study the effect of water stress on seed germination: Requirements: Blotting paper, petri-dishes (4), distilled water, seeds. Method: 1. How to Germinate Seeds: All the Basics of Seed Starting Indoors Here's how: Make sure the paper towel is damp. Wet the paper towel, wringing out excessive water, and lay it flat. Lay the seeds on the towel. Place several seeds in neat rows on half of the paper ... Seeds In vitro seed germination has proven effective for conserving and amplifying the genetic diversity of endangered species such as Sideritis. ... significant or non-significant differences and to determine the effect of the main factors and their interactions on germination rates. The experiment related to S. clandestina subsp. pelopponesiaca ... ISO/TR 23016-5:2024(en), Fine bubble technology ? Agricultural This document provides practical data collection of promoting the germination of typical vegetable seeds by applying ultrafine bubbles (UFBs) within the effective number concentrations for barley seeds specified in ISO 23016-2, ISO/TR 23016-3 and ISO 23016-4. While the application of UFB to barley seeds is systematically standardized, reports ... aChIP for comprehensive chromatin profiling in economically ... Our study uncovers the dynamic histone modification landscape during rapeseed seed dormancy and germination, and highlights distinct epigenetic patterns and their potential roles in dry seeds. RIOXSLQHVHHGV lupine seeds. Experimental studies on the effect of microwave treatment on the ability of seeds to germinate. Lupine seeds (moisture 10.25%) were studied in the experiment. Directly for microwave treatment of seeds, we used an installation with a microwave generator with a power of 0.5 kW and a radiation frequency of 2450 ± 50 MHz. essay homework paper phd project resume review speech study thesis