The Growth Rate Of Pre-packaged Seeds vs. Seeds From Directly Inside the Fruit or Vegetable

Research Questions:

• What are the parts of a plant seed?
• What causes a seed to germinate?

In this experiment, we'll pit the seeds you buy in a store against the seeds you find in the fruits and vegetables you eat, and see which one grows fastest.

Materials:

• Prepackaged seeds (such as that of apples, oranges, and grapes)
• Apples, oranges, and grapes (must match the prepackaged seeds)
• Soil with fertilizer
• Sunlight
• Water
• Ruler
• Pen and paper for notes

Experimental Procedure:

1. Pick a location rich in equal amounts of sunlight to plant your seeds.
2. Separate two spots for your two groups of seeds, at least six inches apart.
3. Dig holes for your seeds- insert your prepackaged seeds in one section and the seeds from inside fruits/veggies in the other. Cover the hole(s) up.
4. Give the seeds their first taste of water- you should water it a bit everyday or when it looks dry and the soil feels dry. You don't need to water them when it rains.
5. Observe the seeds daily and see which one germinates first.
6. If growth is spotted, measure the height with your ruler and record the measurement.
7. Compare the heights when several weeks have passed and note any significant differences.

 Suggested Chart

Terms/Concepts: Plant growth process; Germination; Photosynthesis; Seeds; Water

References:

• http://www.biology4kids.com/files/plants_photosynthesis.html
• http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-difference-between-distilled-water-and-spring-water.htm
• Asimov, Isaac (1968). Photosynthesis. New York, London: Basic Books, Inc.. ISBN 0-465-05703-9.
• Bidlack JE; Stern KR, Jansky S (2003). Introductory plant biology. New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-290941-2.
• Rabinowitch E, Govindjee (1969). Photosynthesis. London: J. Wiley. ISBN 0-471-70424-5.
• Reece, J, Campbell, N (2005). Biology. San Francisco: Pearson, Benjamin Cummings. ISBN 0-8053-7146-X.