What is the effect of different amounts of salt

on the germination of radish seeds?

Robert Cho & Brian HaleyHR 319

HypothesisIf I grow radish seeds in increasing amounts of salt, then I think the seeds with salt will not grow as tall as the ones that are given fresh water. I think this will happen because the salt will hurt or even kill the seeds.

Materials10 plastic cups40 radish seeds30 cotton balls

watersalt

Procedure1) Label the cups A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2, C-1, C-2, D-1,

D-2, E-1, and E-2.2) Pull apart the cotton balls and put 3 into the

bottom of each cup.3) Add 4 radish seeds to each cup.4) Pour 15 mL of water into each cup.5) Put different amounts of salt into each cup

(see diagram).6) Observe seeds every day.

ResultsOur results were that the seeds in the cups with fresh water (A1 & A2) started growing in 2 days and also grew the tallest (average height of 8 cm) during the 2 weeks we observed them. The seeds with a little salt (B1 & B2) didn’t start growing until Day 3, and only grew an average of 2 cm. The other seeds (cups C, D, and E) never germinated.

ConclusionThe results of my experiment showed that my hypothesis was correct. My evidence is that the seeds with some salt were shorter and the seeds with a lot of salt never grew. Overall, I am very pleased with my experiment because we worked a lot and took many observations and good notes. During this process, I learned how salt affects radish seeds and how to do a good experiment. If I were to do this project again, I would try to grow cat grass seeds in salt and see if the results are the same.

AbstractFor my science experiment I wanted to find out how salt affects the growth of radish seeds. I predicted that the salt would hurt or kill the seeds. To find out, I planted radish seeds and gave them different amounts of salt. I observed that the seeds with some salt were shorter and those with the most salt died. It turned out my hypothesis was correct. In conclusion, I think that salt is not good for radish plants and can harm or kill them.