BIOLOGY INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

2022-23

Investigating Seed Tolerance for

Freezing Temperatures

Samruddha Sanjeev Patil

XII Science
 Acknowledgement

I wish to express my deep gratitude and sincere

thanks to the
Principal Ms. Sindu Hemanth
for her encouragement and for all facilities
provided for this project work. I heartly thank
Ms. Lydia Vincent, my biology teacher who
guided me to success completion of this
project. I would like to Sincerely thank my
parents and my friends who helped me to carry
out this project work successfully.
 CONTENTS
1. OBJECTIVE ...1
2. INTRODUCTION ...2
3. THEORY ...6
4. MATERIALS REQUIRED ...7
5. PROCEDURE ...8
6. OBSERVATION ...11
7. CALCULATIONS ...14
8. RESULTS ...16
9. CONCLUSION ...17
10. PRECAUTIONS ...18
11. BIBLIOGRAPHY ...19
 OBJECTIVE

To examine seed freezing resistance by determining the

germination rate after different freezing periods.

1
 INTRODUCTION
1. Seeds

2. Seed Dormancy

3. Seed Germination

4.Conditions Necessary for Seed Germination

2
 1. SEEDS
A flowering plant’s seed is an essential component. They

produce a new plant as a result of their behavior. They come in

a variety of shapes and sizes, including oval, wrinkled, winged,

and hairy. They will remain dormant until they receive enough
sunshine, water, and dirt. Germination is the process of a plant
growing from a seed.

2. SEED DORMANCY
Crop dormancy is the state or situation in which seeds are

stopped from germinating despite the presence of favorable

environmental factors for germination, such as temperature,

water, light, gas, seed coats, and other mechanical

constraints.

The key cause of these circumstances is that they take a

period of rest before they can germinate.

These circumstances can change from day to day, month to

month, and even year to year. Light, water, fire, gases, seed

coats, and hormone systems make up these environments.

3
 3. SEED GERMINATION
Crop germination is the mechanism by which various plant
species develop from a single seed into a plant. Both crop

yield and quality are affected by this operation.

The sprouting of a seedling from an angiosperm or

gymnosperm seed is a typical example of seed germination.

It is also the process of reactivation of metabolic machinery

of the seed resulting in the emergence of radicle and

plumule.

4. CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR SEED GERMINATION

WATER:-

Seed germination is impossible without water. Some seeds

are extremely dry and require a large amount of water in

relation to their dry weight. The presence of water aids crop

germination. It helps protoplasm perform its vital functions

by providing hydration, dissolve oxygen for the developing

embryo, softening seed coats, and improving seed

permeability. It also helps in seed rupturing and the

conversion of insoluble foods into soluble forms for transfer

to the embryo.

4
 OXYGEN:-

For seed growth, it is a key and important source of energy.

It is necessary for the developing seed's metabolism and

aerobic respiration until it is ready to produce its own green

leaves. Oxygen can be found in the pores of soil particles.

TEMPERATURE:-

A seed can germinate at a temperature of between 25 and

30 degrees Celsius. Different seeds, it appears, require

different temperatures to germinate. Some seeds require a

temperature range of 5 to 40°C, while others require a

temperature that is lower or higher.

LIGHT OR DARKNESS:-
This could be a catalyst in the environment. Many seeds are
not able to germinate until they are exposed to sunlight.

When the above-mentioned

favorable circumstances are

met, crop germination occurs. In the

embryos, the embryo

swells and grows fast, rupturing the

covering layers and

allowing the radicle to emerge. Until

the radicle appears,

germination is considered
incomplete. 5
 THEORY
EFFECTS OF FREEZING ON SEED GERMINATION
The ability of the seeds to maintain their form after freezing
in cold weather is unaffected. In several germination trials,

both on filter sheets and in soil, freezing not only boosted

germination but also stimulated seedling development.

EFFECTS OF FREEZING ON SEED DORMANCY

Seed viability, seed germination, and seedling survival are
all affected differently by freeze-thaw cycles in

exotic and indigenous woody plants. Many plants can

break their dormancy and germinate in the spring due

to stratification, which occurs during the cool, damp

winter months.

6
MATERIALS REQUIRED
3 Different kinds of
seeds as samples
12- cups
12-plastic covers

7
 PROCEDURE
1. Place the seeds in four different paper glasses after dividing
them into four sorts.
2. On the glasses, write A1, A2, and A3 as well as B1, B2, and B3, C1,
C2, and C3, and D1, D2, and D3.

3. The "As" should be frozen for eight hours, the "Bs" for sixteen,
the "Cs" for twenty-four, and the "Ds" for thirty-two.

4. Fill up the bottles with water.

5. After the necessary freezing time has elapsed, take the group out
of the freezer and fill each glass with water.

6.Soak the seeds in a jar for 24 hours in a dry place.

7. Take all glasses in the group and clean the water after 24 hours

Soak for hours. Place a damp paper towel in the pouch. Put the
seeds in a bag lined with paper towels. Close the bag Store in a dry
place look inside now
8
PICTURES OF FROZEN SEEDS

PICTURES OF SOAKED SEEDS

9
 PICTURES OF SEEDS IN PAPER TOWEL

PICTURES OF NORMAL SEEDS

Sample 1 Sample 2 Sample 3

10
 OBSERVATIONS
OBSERVATION AFTER FREEZING SEEDS
1. CHANGES AFTER 8 HOURS OF FREEZING
.Sample 1→ No change

→ No change

.Sample 2
.Sample 3→ No change
2. CHANGES AFTER 16 HOURS OF FREEZING

.Sample 1→ No change
→ No change
.Sample 2
.Sample 3→ No change
3. CHANGES AFTER 24 HOURS OF FREEZING
→
.Sample 1
No change
.Sample 2→ No change
.Sample 3 → No change
4. CHANGES AFTER 32 HOURS OF FREEZING
.Sample 1 → No change
.Sample 2 → No change
.Sample 3 → No change
11
OBSERVATION AFTER SOAKING FOR 24 HOURS
1. CHANGES IN SEEDS NAMED 'A'

. Sample 1 → Wrinkles vanish

→ Swollen seeds

.Sample 2
→ Swollen seeds
.Sample 3

2. CHANGES IN SEEDS NAMED 'B'

→
.Sample 1 Wrinkles vanish
→
.Sample 2 Swollen seeds
→
.Sample 3 Swollen seeds

3. CHANGES IN SEEDS NAMED 'C'

→
.Sample 1 Wrinkles vanish
→
. Sample 2 Swollen seeds
→
.Sample 3 Swollen seeds

4. CHANGES IN SEEDS NAMED 'D'

→
.Sample 1 Wrinkles vanish
→
.Sample 2 Swollen seeds
→
.Sample 3 Swollen seeds

12
OBSERVATIONS AFTER KEEPING
SEEDS IN WET CLOTH FOR A DAY
(WITH RESPECT TO NORMAL GROWTH RATE)
GROWTH RATE OF 'A'
.Sample 1 → Same as normal

.Sample 2 → Same as normal

.Sample 3 → Same as normal

GROWTH RATE OF 'B'
.Sample 1 → Same as normal
.Sample 2 → Same as normal
.Sample 3 → Same as normal
GROWTH RATE OF 'C'
.Sample 1 → Little slower

.Sample 2 → Little slower

.Sample 3 → Little slower

GROWTH RATE OF 'D'

.Sample 1 → Little slower

.Sample 2 → Little slower
.Sample 3 → Little slower
13
 CALCULATIONS
THE EQUATION TO CALCULATE GERMINATION PERCENTAGE IS:

GP = SEEDS GERMINATED X 100

_________________________
TOTAL SEEDS

Germination percentage of Sample 1 seeds:

=29/30 × 100 = 96%

Germination percentage of Sample 2 seeds:

=29/30 × 100 = 96%

Germination percentage of Sample 3 seeds:

=28/30 × 100 = 93%

14
GERMINATION PERCENTAGE FOR 'A'

.Sample 1 → 93%

.Sample 2 → 93%

.Sample 3 → 85%
GERMINATION PERCENTAGE FOR 'B'

.Sample 1 → 93%

.Sample 2 → 97%

.Sample 3 → 85%
GERMINATION PERCENTAGE FOR 'C'

.Sample 1 → 93%

.Sample 2 → 88%

.Sample 3 → 85%
GERMINATION PERCENTAGE FOR 'D'

.Sample 1 → 93%

.Sample 2 → 85%

.Sample 3 → 85%
15
 RESULTS
GERMINATION PERCENTAGE CALCULATIONS:
NORMAL FROZEN DIFFERENCE IN
VALUE IN % VALUE IN %
SEEDS SEEDS %

Sample 1
Sample 1 96% 93% -3%
(A)

Sample 2
Sample 2 96% 93% -3%
(A)

Sample 3
Sample 3 93% 85% -8%
(A)

Sample 1
Sample 1 96% 93% -3%
(B)

Sample 2
Sample 2 96% 97% +1%
(B)

Sample 3
Sample 3 93% 85% -8%
(B)

Sample 1
Sample 1 96% 93% -3%
(C)

Sample 2
Sample 2 96% 88% -8%
(C)

Sample 3
Sample 3 93% 85% -8%
(C)

Sample 1
Sample 1 96% 93% -3%
(D)

Sample 2
Sample 2 96% 85% -11%
(D)

Sample 3
Sample 3 93% 85% -8%
(D)

16
 CONCLUSION
I predicted that seeds that had been frozen for a long
time wouldn’t germinate more frequently than seeds
that hadn’t, and that seeds that had been frozen the
longest would germinate the least frequently. My
forecast was wrong because the majority of the seed
germination numbers were nearly equivalent to the
usual group’s germination rate. The seeds I selected
appeared to germinate without being affected by
freezing. This is crucial because, if seeds can endure
freezing, we will be able to preserve them in the case of
a natural disaster. We might be able to store seeds
during times of food scarcity if we can determine how
long they can last on storage shelves.

17
 PRECAUTIONS
1. Make sure the container is labelled and
dated when keeping seeds in an airtight
jar for prolonged cold storage to avoid
confusion when it comes time to plant.

2. Make sure the seeds are dry and clean

before freezing.

3. When it’s time to plant, remove the

seeds from the freezer and thaw them at
room temperature for at least 24 hours
before using them in the garden.

18
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://csef.usc.edu/History/2005/Projects/J1620.pdf

https://www.sciencefairprojects.co.in/Plant-
Biology/Investigating-

Seed-Tolerance-for-Freezing-
Temperatures.php#.Yj9P6udBzIU

https://watermark.silverchair.com/23-18-

1237.pdf?token=AQECAHi208BE49Ooan9kkhW_Ercy7Dm3ZL_9Cf3qfKAc485ysgAAAtYwggLSBgkqhkiG9w0BBwaggg

LDMIICvwIBADCCArgGCSqGSIb3DQEHATAeBglghkgBZQMEAS4wEQQMZ9H1k17Z-gzWWVHyAgEQgIICiesnRjT-

FC4SW7wAU7646UM4drnaxTZjcyx6eNVsmSRsbj3a1q8-

y2DHysI67ROcHfx5GceCAdUNfk45l1NuN_xPyRUzT0gyyA5mIHp8Fb5SEPLqQrQ-FqFAIV-

G8ONmd47t5QUh7i6KBsE_4SQfGmy0yy-B44CREIQUabJWTdh6-W4qXXs0VoDLp9ixfHHvXOmxsdr-

UG_LF0od9RivwdiLMazPULdP--U1NOhs-XGxDvoKhrZBAvjR6R-

r7h6Uc8XYddqgT1WyReVXhBTzviPdyY4V7BTgLg46EwhhwoOLWMJ9ul5ioMmi0RETlm3Esj0QO7gpm2hmS-

5VYlM6kdV_N7PLKr0_0smCAFb9S--j5YR3RlsVpNOiA5HW3JQVdrS7LvxV9-4ZA-

6BKC_ujKlapi5b5d8OUIlPFHDBXtxgp2F-O4Jzet2WlaFj7gP8m38LKUPXkiG9j-L5v5rsTJeK0jkB_9Gflmd9-

zSI46d4idEAv_z0yOeXsTiBX4kdn2XsOYauKY3cxFJ3tFqH-DPUk2Bnw6SN_oM8p2HHIlpBz732TNsfDZcK-

bVbnN9LFRhwsUJHPbjq0xj8rQsBrAWV25a96-

pvxtiQ7ydU9T3c5qi91uxJbzDx2P2Yusq9lwj3ssyXu_JPGv2xhMxidfW0dQuB8rkMkG2MWnXNJssCbrS75VBmec1DPSY

jn4lWno1brxXL61DoimeEylsmjC7rRwYIkSqPLTAAgh2EPkUu1WyY1MseNaUJgHEra_z_gqiSLvJ00N19hdJh1YvL05j8Zs

s8WrF0-5m4aFp7c9yHj-vdRlpyHfqLkoClotKrBSEV4pHL6DBkspPTorM4Ao0Yx_-Ag2Wz-28

https://byjus.com/biology/seed-

dormancy/#:~:text=Seed%20dormancy%20can%20
be%20defined,coats

%2C%20and%20other%20mechanical%20restrictio
ns

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-
and-biological-

sciences/seed-germination

https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/64022000/Publications/Red

dy/Kogetetal04WS52-6-989.pdf

https://agriculturistmusa.com/factors-affecting-seed-germination/

http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/training/fact-

sheets/management-of-other-crop-problems-fact-
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category/measuring-seed-germination-fact-sheet

19