Carla Louise B.

Bayquen Date Performed: January 27, 2016

G-2L Group 4 Date Submitted: February 5, 2016
BIO 163: PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
EXERCISE 3: INORGANIC COMPONENTS
Test Plant: Monggo (Vigna radiata)
Seeds have been used by higher plants as means for reproduction. When one begins to
grow, it undergoes the process called germination (Mauseth, 2012). In order to carry out the
development of a plant several factors are to be considered. Among which include water, oxygen,
suitable temperature, and sometimes light or darkness, which are all external factors obtained from
the environment. Different plants require various variables for successful seed germination
(Cambell and Reese, 2011).

Table 1. Effect of gas composition on the test plant.

Treatment Germination (%) Mean length of the
hypocotyl-root axis (cm)
Ordinary air (control) 90 2.9
Nitrogen gas (anaerobic) 60 2.1
Carbon dioxide N/A N/A

Air was displaced with nitrogen gas, the purpose of which was to visualize an environment
where in seeds are deprived of oxygen. Oxygen is required by the germinating seed for aerobic
respiration (Metzger, 1997). In fact it is the main source of the seedling's energy until it grows
leaves, enabling it to obtain its own nourishment through photosynthesis. the data above, a
significant number of germination was seen on seeds exposed in ordinary air (with oxygen),
compared to seeds purely exposed to nitrogen. The mean length of the hypocotyl-root axis proves
the significant difference between oxygen rich and oxygen deprives seeds. The experiment
involving carbon dioxide was not carried out due to lack of resources, but still the expected result
will be a lesser yield in germination.
Table 2. Effect of temperature on the test plant.
Treatment Germination (%) Mean length of the
hypocotyl-root axis (cm)
Room Temperature 28ºC 80 1.4
Low Temperature: ref 11ºC 0 N/A
High Temperature: oven 50ºC 0 N/A
 According to Metzger (1997), optimal temperatures range from 12°C to 25°C. Rate of
water absorption, the diffusion of respiratory gases, and including the rate of chemical reactions
involved in the metabolism of the seed are all affected by temperature. This explains the 0%
germination of the Monggo seedling in both low and high temperatures.

High temperatures reduce enzyme efficiency. When a certain temperature is reached

cellular protein tends to get denatured and killing the seed. This also goes for the seeds tested at
different pH. Plants have specificities on pH. The seed needs an optimum pH of the environment
it rests in for its enzymes to function (Acevedo et al., 2002).

Table 3. Effect of pH on the test plant.

Treatment Germination (%) Mean length of the
hypocotyl-root axis (cm)
Distilled Water (control) 100 1.5
pH 4 100 2.4
pH 7 100 2.8
pH 10 0 N/A

Furthermore pH where in germination is carried out ranges from 4 to 9 theoretically (Evans

et al., 1975).
Table 4. Effect of varying osmotic concentrations on the test plant.
Treatment Germination (%) Mean length of the
hypocotyl-root axis (cm)
Distilled Water (control) 100 1.5
0.05 % NaCl 80 1.9
1.0 % NaCl 80 0.3
1.5 % NaCl 30 0.07

Salt damage to seed germination is brought by reduction of water availability, changes in

mobilization of stored reserves, and affecting structural organization of proteins (Don, 2009).
Under salt stress seeds tend to need more water increasing osmotic pressure, causing excessive
uptake of ions which can be toxic to plants (Caddik, 2002). This explains the decreasing trend of
seed germination as well as mean length of hypocotyl-root axis as salinity increases.

Another factor affecting seed germination is light. Seeds are considered photodormant if it
either require light or dark conditions to germinate (Harney, 1993). They can remain dormant in
soil many years until soil is disturbed or the canopy opens up to expose them to light for
germination. Light sensitivity in seeds is a reaction on phytochrome; a chemically reactive pigment
plants use to sense light or dark condition.

Lastly, microbes also play a role in germination. Usually germination is low in soils
containing high amounts of partially decomposed matter due to microbes metabolizing it (Harney,
1993). Thus these organisms can also create stress to seeds.

REFERENCES

Acevedo, E., Silva, P. & Silva, H. 2002. Wheat growth and physiology. In Curtis, B.C., Rajaram,
S. & Gómez, H. Macpherson [Eds.], Bread Wheat: Improvement and Production. FAO
Plant Production and Protection Series No. 30.
Caddick, L., 2002. Early harvest and cool storage maintain seed vigor. Farming ahead no. 130 p.
35 - 36.
Don, R. 2009 [Ed.], ISTA Handbook on Seedling Evaluation, 3rd Edition, 2003, with Amendments
2006 - 2009. The International Seed Testing Association, Bassersdorf, Switzerland.
Evans, L.T., Wardlaw, I.F. & Fischer, R.A. 1975. Wheat. In L.T. Evans, ed. Crop physiology, p.
101 - 149. Cambridge, UK, Cambridge University Press.
Harney, M. 1993. A Guide to the Insects of Stored Grain in South Africa. ARC-Plant Protection
Research Institute Handbook No.1, P/Bag X134, Pretoria.
Mauseth, James D. 2012. Botany: An Introduction to Plant Biology. 5th ed. Sudbury, MA: Jones.

Metzger, J.D. 1997. A physiological comparison of vernalization and dormancy chilling

requirement, pp 147 - 212. In: Lang, G.A [Ed.], Plant Dormancy: Physiology, Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology. CAB International, Wallington, UK.
Reece, J. B., and N. A. Campbell. 2011. Campbell biology. Boston: Benjamin Cummings /
Pearson