Bean Germination and Saline
THE EFFECT OF SALINE ON BEAN GERMINATION
AUTHOR:
Erik Motyka
Lab-partner:
MWCC Biology I-109
Professor: Dr. Atryzek
ABSTRACT:
The response of Phaseolus vulgaris to increased levels of saline solution at germination and seedling growth was investigated. Seeds were germinated in paper towels placed in plastic Ziploc bags with varying concentrations of saline solution and incubated at 25°C. At the end of 14 days the seeds were removed and observations and measurement of any root and shoot growth were taken. There was insignificant or no germination in most of the sampled beans with an unusually high germination of the 1.0% saline group.
INTRODCUTION:
This study was to observe the effects of increased saline (NaCl) concentrations in relation to the germination of P. vulgaris seeds. The hypothesis is that with each increase in saline concentration there will be less root development. Why do higher concentrations of saline inhibit germination? What does the higher concentrations of saline do to the P. vulgaris seed? Are seeds tolerant to higher concentrations of saline? “All soil contains salts, many of which are essential nutrients for plants. Salinity occurs when soluble salts (usually NaCl) are elevated in soil and water. Every continent is affected by salinized soil and water; approximately 7% of the world’s land area.” (Nerissa Hannink, 2005). “But why should we care about how a plant copes with excess salt? Once inside the cell, salt can cause ionic stresses, largely as Na+ (and Cl-) inhibit metabolic processes including protein synthesis. Na+ can rise to toxic levels in older leaves causing them to die.” (Dr. R. Munns, 2001) Since there is salt found in the soil naturally, and higher levels will cause ionic stress; what levels are considered to inhibit growth? “Salt tolerance is defined when plants show little growth reduction at concentrations of 300mM
AUTHOR:
Erik Motyka
Lab-partner:
MWCC Biology I-109
Professor: Dr. Atryzek
ABSTRACT:
The response of Phaseolus vulgaris to increased levels of saline solution at germination and seedling growth was investigated. Seeds were germinated in paper towels placed in plastic Ziploc bags with varying concentrations of saline solution and incubated at 25°C. At the end of 14 days the seeds were removed and observations and measurement of any root and shoot growth were taken. There was insignificant or no germination in most of the sampled beans with an unusually high germination of the 1.0% saline group.
INTRODCUTION:
This study was to observe the effects of increased saline (NaCl) concentrations in relation to the germination of P. vulgaris seeds. The hypothesis is that with each increase in saline concentration there will be less root development. Why do higher concentrations of saline inhibit germination? What does the higher concentrations of saline do to the P. vulgaris seed? Are seeds tolerant to higher concentrations of saline? “All soil contains salts, many of which are essential nutrients for plants. Salinity occurs when soluble salts (usually NaCl) are elevated in soil and water. Every continent is affected by salinized soil and water; approximately 7% of the world’s land area.” (Nerissa Hannink, 2005). “But why should we care about how a plant copes with excess salt? Once inside the cell, salt can cause ionic stresses, largely as Na+ (and Cl-) inhibit metabolic processes including protein synthesis. Na+ can rise to toxic levels in older leaves causing them to die.” (Dr. R. Munns, 2001) Since there is salt found in the soil naturally, and higher levels will cause ionic stress; what levels are considered to inhibit growth? “Salt tolerance is defined when plants show little growth reduction at concentrations of 300mM
Cited: ABC Science Online, 2006 Biosalinity.Org Lianes A., Reinoso H., Luna V., (2005) World J of Agricultural Sciences 1(2), 120-128 Munns R., (2002) Plant Cell Environmental, 25, 239-250 Rahman M., Soomro U., Zahoor-ul-Hag M.. Gul Sh., (2008) World J of Agricultural Sciences 4(3), 398-403 Tester M. and Davenport R., Na+ Tolerance and Na+ Transport in Higher Plants. Annals of Botany, 91, 503-527