Scrolls+Method

=Scrolls Method ("official" procedure)= Download the document. Each pair of students will design and carry out an experiment that examines the effects of one external factor on seed germination (and seedling growth).

Part 1:
Students will design a proposal in pairs and individually submit a proposal for the experiment. This written proposal will be submitted to your teacher for approval before you may carry out your experiment. Following feedback from your teacher, you may need to make modifications to your proposal.

Part 2:
Once the experimental procedure has been approved, students have two weeks to carry out their experiments. Each student is required to be present at each and every class. Following completion of the experiments, each student will submit a formal lab report.

EXPERIMENTAL PROPOSAL must include the following:

 * 1) A hypothesis.
 * 2) A statement that indicates the independent and dependent variables in your experiment. You have more than one dependent variable depending on your experimental design.
 * 3) A description of all variables that you intend to control during your experiment and an indication of the parameters under which you control them (ie. All plants were massed at 0800 h every day for two weeks).
 * 4) A complete list of all materials that you will be using in completing your experiment.
 * 5) A detailed step-by-step procedure that you intend on using.
 * 6) A blank observation table that you intend to use.

Plant Germination and Growth Experiments
**Purpose:** To test the effects of one of the following variables on seed germination and seedling growth for a particular species of plant. 1. pH (acidity, alkalinity) 6. Salt concentration (salinity) 2. Presence of hormones 7. Light (amount, intensity, wavelength) 3. Temperature (warm, hot, cold) 8. Presence of fertilizer (commercial, organic) 4. Oxygen availability 9. Presence of fungicide (bleach) 5. Water availability 10.Tissue injury
 * Possible variables: **

paper towel, plant seeds, forceps distilled water, treatment solutions, plastic cups masking tape, coloured lights, growth chamber refrigerator, rubber gloves, spray bottles FIRST, SECOND & THIRD SCROLL
 * Materials: **
 * Procedure: **

1. Cut two pieces of paper towels that measure 20 cm by 20 cm. Fold each piece over and orient the folded edge at the top. You should now have a double layer which is 20 cm by 10 cm. 2. With one piece of folded paper towel flat on the bench, wet the double layer with the treatment solution (wear gloves) or water if you are testing temperature or light. Place the seeds in a row, 1.5 cm below the top folded edge of the wet paper. Leave sufficient space between the seeds. Wet the second paper towel and lay it evenly over the first towel and seeds so that the edges meet and the paper towels stick together. 3. Starting from the outside edge, roll the towel up into a scroll with an internal diameter of about 4 cm (tighter will restrict oxygen supply). 4. Stand the scroll on one end with the top folded edge upright and allow excess fluid to drain for 1-2 minutes. 5. Place the scroll upright in the plastic cup provided and tape another inverted cup securely over it as a lid. Include your and your teacher’s name and the treatment used.

FOURTH SCROLL (CONTROL GROUP) 6. Repeat steps 1-6 using regular water and the same type of seed. Place your two scrolls in the appropriate growing area and monitor variable parameters as designed by your project. The placement should be selected to minimize uncontrolled variables.

1. In each class, examine the scrolls for success in germination. Germination is indicated by the presence of a root or stem outside the seed coat. Each day, record the TOTAL number of seeds (and percentage) that have germinated since the beginning of the experiment. Remember that this number cannot decrease with time.
 * Observations: **

2. Once the seeds have germinated, you must make quantitative and qualitative measurements of the seedlings. Choose ONE of the following quantitative measurements: Choose at least ONE of the following qualitative measurements:
 * The total height of the plant stem OR the number of nodes present.
 * You MUST also measure the average root length and the average number of root branches per germinated plant.
 * colour of leaves/cotyledons
 * shape of leaves or stems
 * presence/concentration of root hairs