Ecology of Organisms - Lab Report Example

Effects of pH on Radish Seed Germination Table Radish Seed Observation and Germination Solution pH Days 2 Day 3 Day 4 ObservationSeeds Germinated%ObservationSeeds Germinated%ObservationSeeds Germinated%Water 6.5Bulge and cracking660Seeds bulge and crack990Sprouts seen10100Vinegar3.0 Some were bulging but most shrunk and began to die 110The germinating seed shrunk and began to die00No germination, shrunk and began to die00Baking soda10.5Seeds were bulging11Seeds were bulging330Bulge and cracking330SolutionpHDay 5ObservationsSeeds Germinated%Water6.

5 Germination, sprouts elongated 10 100 Vinegar3.0 No germination, seeds shrunk and die0 0 Baking soda10.5 Bulging and cracking seeds were seen, sprout elongation slower 4 40 SolutionpHDay 6ObservationsSeeds Germinated%Water6.5 Sprouts noted 10 100 Vinegar3.0No germination, seeds die and started to rot 00 Baking soda10.5 No sprouts seen in some seeds, rate of sprout growth slower.  440 SolutionpHDay 7ObservationsSeeds Germinated%Water Rapid Sprouting seeds  10 100 Vinegar No germination ,seeds rotted 0 0 Baking soda Sprouting seeds length lower than seeds in water 4 40 The average spout length of radish seeds in each solution on day sevenSolutionpH% Seeds GerminatedAverage Sprout length (mm)Water6.

5 100 55 Vinegar3.0 12 Baking soda10.5 3 25 Response to Question 1.Yes, there was a notable effect on germination rate in various pH levels. The pH levels affect germination and the growth of the plants (Robert, 1998). From the experimental result, above there was a rapid rate of germination in the control (water) with a pH of 6.5. There was a minimal growth rate in vinegar with a value pH 3 and a fairly slower rate in baking soda with a pH value of 10.5. The average sprout lengths in the three solutions were as follow; water 55mm, baking soda 25mm and vinegar recorded the least, 2mm.

Response to Question 2.Radish seeds a wider pH tolerance this is because there was germination both at pH of 6.5 and 10.5 with a maximum at 6.5. Different pH levels affected the germination and growth rates of the radish seeds. This experiment was examining the effects of different pH level on germination of radish seeds. Water with a pH of 6, vinegar pH 3 and baking soda pH 10.5 were used. From the results, pH 3 radish never grew at a slow rate radish on pH 10.5 grew at a slower fairly rate and pH 6.

5 grew the fastest. In vinegar, only 10% of the seeds germinated 40% in baking soda and 100% in water. Extremely low pH affected seed germination and maximum growth recorded at a neutral pH. In general, the lower the pH of the environment, the harder for radish seeds to germinate and to survive.Response to Question 3.It would be appropriate to conclude that plant species with a narrow range of pH are in trouble. Most plants germinate and grow best in a pH range of 7 to 9. The higher and lower pH levels, especially of 3 and 11, drastically reduce growth of plants and crops.

Acid rain is a problem since it reduces the pH levels of soil to below 5. From the above experimental results, it suggests that acid rain may drastically reduce crops and plants growth.ReferencesRobert, K. (1998). Biology in the Laboratory, 3rd ed. New York: Judith Wilson ed. Freeman Publishing.