L Lima Beans

A-2-11

Question
Does microwaving lima beans change the rate of
germination?

Hypothesis
If lima beans are microwaved for increasing amounts
of time (0s, 5s, 10s, 15s, 20s, or 25s), then the lima
bean germination rate will be lower, because the
radiation is damaging the seed and that prevents
germination.

Rationale
Farmers and gardeners care about how many seeds
germinate, so anything that impacts germination is
important to know about.

Abstract

Introduction: This experiment tests the effect of microwaves on lima bean

germination rates.

Problem Statement: Does microwaving lima beans change the rate of

germination?

Procedures:

Samples of 12 lima beans were microwaved for 0s, 5s, 10s, 15s, 20s, or 25s

Lima beans were then planted

Germination rates were measured after 10 days

Results: lower germination rates were found in samples having more than 15
seconds of microwaving

Conclusions: microwaving has minimal effect if less than 10 seconds, but will
lower germination rate if microwaved for 15 or more seconds.

Materials

3x seed starter tray (72 seeds per tray)

216 seeds/beans (3x 72); 1 bag of beans from

grocery store
Microwave oven

Paper plate

1 bag of seed starting soil (3 liters)

Water as needed

Material - Photos

Photos by William Stone

Procedures
1. Gather all supplies
2. Mark 12 spots on paper plate where seeds will be placed
3. Place seeds on marked spots
4. Place plate, with seeds, in microwave and cook for sample time (0s, 5s, 10s,
15s, 20s, or 25s)
5. Prepare seed starter tray(s), with soil
6. Plant seeds in tray at 2 cm below surface
7. Repeat steps 2-6 with seeds microwaved for (0s, 5s, 10s, 15s, 20s, or 25s)
8. Water seed tray measured
9. Monitor and maintain and seed tray per instructions
10.Count and record germination rate at 10 days after planting

Procedures - Photos

Photos by William Stone

Data Chart
Table 1: Number of seeds that germinated out of sample (12)
Tray 1

Tray 2

Tray 3

00 seconds

11

7/11

11

05 seconds

9/11

10 seconds

10

15 seconds

20 seconds

25 seconds

Graph
Lima Bean Germination Rate After Being Microwaved
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
00 sec

05 sec

10 sec
Tray 1

15 sec
Tray 2

Tray 3

20 sec

25 sec

Data - Photos

Photos by William Stone

Data Analysis
Table 2: Percent of seeds that germinated out of sample (12)
Tray 1

Tray 2

Tray 3

Tray 1

Tray 2

Tray 3

00 sec

11

7/11

11

91.7%

58.3%

91.7%

05 sec

9/11

81.8%

75.0%

66.7%

10 sec

10

66.7%

83.3%

75.0%

15 sec

50.0%

58.3%

58.3%

20 sec

58.3%

33.3%

25.0%

25 sec

16.7%

16.7%

8.3%

Conclusion
Over all, Microwaving seeds can, and can't help the
seeds germination rate. 5-10 sec is better than 0 sec,
but 15- makes it wrest.

References
http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~
plantbio/osu_pcmb/pcmb_lab_resources/images/pcmb300
/angiosperm_reproduction/LimaBeans.jpg
http://www.factmonster.com/science/environment/plant
s.html
http://www.biosci.ohiostate.edu/~plantbio/osu_pcmb/pcmb_lab_resources/pcm
b300lamb_au2010/03-24_BeanDevelopment.html

Diagram from http://www.biosci.ohiostate.edu/~plantbio/osu_pcmb/pcmb_lab_resources/images/pcmb

300/angiosperm_reproduction/LimaBeans.jpg