| Explore | Plant seeds are either monocot or dicot. Monocot seeds grow to have longer and narrower leaves like corn. Dicot seeds grow to have broader leaves like soybeans. Monocot seeds grow to have fibrous roots that form a wide network of thin roots that stay close to the surface. On the other hand, dicot seeds for a single thick root, with smaller roots branching off, that goes deep into the ground. Seeds germinate when provided a moist and warm environment. |
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| Research Question | Does scarification of a coriander seed improve the germination rate? |
| Predictions | By scarifying the seed, it will germinate slightly faster than the untouched seed. |
| Experimental Design | 1) Put a handful of seeds in a small bag. 2) Use a rock to slightly crush the seeds 3) Put the slightly crushed seeds in a bag with a wet paper towel 4) Observe to determine whether the subject improves or inhibits it's process of germination. Compare with a bag of uncrushed seeds of the same type and quantity. |
| Conclusion | By not scarifying coriander seeds, they will germinate faster than if they were scarified. Since the seed is so small, by attempting to scarify them, we may have harmed the embryo, stunting its growth. We know that the untouched seeds were germinating better as it was growing to be longer and bigger than the scarified seeds. To further expand on the experiment, we could continue to let the seeds sprout, eventually planting them in soil and seeing which batch produces more coriander. |
| Investigation Theme | WOS |
| Grade Level | High School Students (Grades 9,10,11,12) |
| Teacher Name | Hemamali Perera |
| School Name | Sierra Vista High School |
| Session | Fall 2021 |