The Effects of Vitamins on the Germination of Radish Seeds By: Erin Chandler

Question What effects to vitamins B12, C, and D have on the growth and germination of radish seeds?

Research-Vitamin B12 consumed to aid red blood cell production nerve coating-neurological aid water soluble found in fish, shellfish, meat, eggs and dairy products low levels cause serious issues plants are not a reliable source used to enhance plant metabolism

Research-Vitamin D vitamin naturally produced by the sun fat soluble obtain through sun exposure, food, and supplements in order to be activated, must undergo 2 hydroxylations vitamin D aids in many processes

Research-Vitamin C essential nutrient acts as an antioxidant “healing” vitamin cofactor in enzymatic reactions required for metabolic reactions ascorbic acid

Research-Germination remain dormant until ideal conditions can be hindered by many factors radish seeds grow in moderate temperatures 3-12 days for germination ample water, can not be overheated

Hypothesis When a radish seed is exposed to vitamins B12, C, and D, vitamin B12 will enhance the growth and germination the most.

Materials Vitamin B12 Vitamin C Vitamin D 12 Petri dishes 120 radish seeds ruler bleach 12 pieces of filter paper dropper 4 beakers mortar and pestle distilled water rubber gloves

Procedure 1) Clean the seeds using a bleach solution 2) Create the B12 solution 3) Create the C solution 4) Create the D solution 5) Create the control 6) soak a pieces of filter paper and place it in a labeled Petri dish

Procedure (continued) 7) Repeat step 6 with all vitamin solutions and control 8) Put all Petri dishes in their correct, labeled, ziploc bag 9) Leave Petri dishes in the bags in a dark drawer for 2 days, after 2 days observe the seeds 10) Measure number of germinated seeds, root length, and number of moldy seeds

Variables Independent Variable: the different vitamins being used Dependent Variable: germination rate and growth of the seeds Control: seeds only exposed to distilled water Constants: type of seeds, temperature of water, amount of solution on filter paper, size of Petri dish, light exposure, temperature exposure

Data

Data 2

Data 3: T-test control to b12control to ccontrol to d b12 to cb12 to d

Discussion The data in this experiment showed that vitamin B12 would yield the most growth Vitamin C had the smallest average root length while B12 had the largest average root length The ttest showed that the B12 against the control and other vitamins can be taken into consideration because results were less than.01 The hypothesis was supported by this experiment It can be concluded that vitamin B12 can aid in the growth of plants

Discussion (continued) If conducted again, more trials would have been beneficial Putting the Petri dishes in a lighter area would have helped, possibly allowed the seeds to not develop mold so quickly To further continue this experiment one could test more vitamin supplements, or even a multivitamin on the seeds

References "Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin D." Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS). Web. 26 Oct < "Great Plant Escape - Germination." University of Illinois Extension-Urban Programs Resource Network - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Web. 22 Oct "The Official Seed Starting Home Page - Radishes." Weekend Gardener - Horticulture for Busy People Web. 25 Oct "Organic B Fertilizer | Organic B Fertilizer by Advanced Nutrients | Organic B Fertilizer for Growing Plants." Hydroponics, General Hydroponics, Hydroponic Nutrients & Supplies Web. 26 Oct "Vitamin B12 - MayoClinic.com." Mayo Clinic. Web. 24 Oct B12/NS_patient-vitaminb12 "Vitamin B12: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health Web. 24 Oct "Vitamin C." Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS). Web. 26 Oct

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