The effect of light on germination of

seeds
Aim
The aim of this experiment is to investigate the effect that light had on the
germination of light-sensitive species of plants. In this experiment, we will be using
cress seeds.

Hypothesis
I hypothesize that there will be a difference in the percentage germination of cress
seeds dependent on the type of light they are exposed to:
- The seeds exposed to white light should germinate.
- The seeds exposed to red light should not germinate
- The seeds exposed to far-red light should germinate.
My hypothesis is based off of the knowledge that the two distinct but interchangab;e
forms of phytochromes directly affect germination in plants. The inactive Pr absorbes
red light and is converted into the active Pfr which absorbs far-red light and is slowly
converted back into the inactive Pr. This means that red light will trigger germination
whereas far-red light will inhibit germination.

Variables
Independent variable: The type of light the seeds are exposed to which will be varied
using different light sources.
Dependent variable: The percentage seed germination which will be calculated by
counting the number of seeds that have germinated and dividing
this by the total number of seeds in the sample.
Control variables: Length of time the seeds are exposed to the light source for
Temperature at which the seeds are kept
Amount of seeds in each sample
Volume of water each seed is exposed to
Length of time the seeds are exposed to complete darkness

Equipment
- Petri dishes x 4
- Labels x 4
- Filter paper x 4
- Graduated pipette
- Distilled water
- Aluminium foil
- White light source
- Red light source
- Far-red light source
- Stopwatch
- Cress seeds.

Method
1.
2.
3.
4.

Line four Petri dishes with filter paper.

Label them appropriately: Darkness, White light, Red light, Far-Red Light
Place 50 seeds of cress into each Petri dish take care to spread them evenly.
Measure out 5cm3 of distilled water and pour into each dish ensuring there
are no air bubbles.
5. Allow the seeds to soak for one hour in complete darkness
6. Leave the dish labelled Darkness in total darkness after soaking
7. Expose the dish labelled White light to the white light source in complete
darkness for 5 minutes.
8. Expose the dish labelled Red light to the red light source in complete
darkness for 5 minutes.
9. Expose the dish labelled Far-Red light to the far-red light source in complete
darkness for 5 minutes.
10. Leave all the dishes for three days
11. Record the percentage germination in each dish

Results
Darkness
15

Conclusion

Far-red light
25

Red light
17

White light
30