THE EFFECT OF SALINITY

ON THE GERMINATION
RATE OF RADISHES
The effects of salt and osmotic stresses on the germination processes
in seeds of the species Raphanus sativus (common radish) were
compared using various concentrations of saline solutions. The lowest
stress intensity delayed germination, while higher doses of NaCl
reduced final germination percentages. While the germination rate of
seeds used as a control group was noticeably more successful, No
significant difference occurred between the effects of these solutes on
germination percentages in concentrations of saline solutions with a
sodium chloride percentage of less than 2%. Inhibited seeds subject to
saline solutions with a percentage of sodium chloride higher than 2%
showed stunted or no signs of physical development after the
duration of the experiment Seed germination in water and under
water stress (NaCl) was evaluated within a lab environment.

Ranier Knowles

THE EFFECT OF SALINITY ON THE GERMINATION

RATE OF RADISHES - Ranier Knowles

INTRODUCTION
Germination is a vital stage of development for spermatophytes. The individual
survival of a plant is dependent on weather or not a seed germinates effectively.
The survival of a species is therefore dependent on the ability for a seed to
affectively reproduce and germinate effectively. The conditions under which
germination can occur are vital. Mature seeds of some species are incapable of
germinating, even under ideal conditions of temperature and hydration. Such
seeds are known as dormant. Dormancy must be broken in order for a seed to
effectively germinate. Dormancy of these seeds is broken individually depending
on the type or species of seed; though all dormancy can be broken through
various combinations of light intensity, temperature fluctuation, acidity, or
external scarification.
Once dormancy is broken given the right circumstances (temperature, lighting,
moisture, oxygen,) seeds will naturally absorb water through osmosis. Enzymes
within the plant and food supplies become hydrated. Hydrated enzymes
become active and the seed increase its metabolic activities to produce energy
for the growth process. In addition, the absorption of water causes turgor
pressure to increase in the cells and they are able to enlarge through a process
known as imbibition. This reaction
The primary effect of salts on germination is osmotic. Water uptake by seeds is
decreased by elevated salinity levels, thus or halting germination.. Accordingly,
imbibition, similar to osmosis, involves the movement of water down a potential
gradient. Thus, the water potential within a substrate must be greater than the
water potential in the cells of the seed, in order for water to move from the
substrate into the cells of the seed. Salinity effects germination by reducing the
substrates water potential, thereby restricting water and nutrient uptake to the
seeds. (National Library of Medicine, 2001) Salt stress mimics water stress in
many ways leading to the suggestion that the principal effect of salt is osmotic.
delayed germination, high rate of seedling mortality, stunted growth and
reduced yield are some of the most common effects of salted soils. However
since some salts are more inhibitory than others, specific toxic effects must also
be involved. Although sodium chloride (table salt) is among the less toxic salts, it
is one of the most common and thus one of the most troublesome to agriculture
hence its inclusion in this experiment. The purpose of this experiment is to
demonstrate the effect of numerous solutions of sodium chloride on common
radish seeds and compare their rates of germination to determine the effect of
salinity on the germination rate of a shallow rooted crop.

HYPOTHESIS

The germination rate of radishes will decrease as the concentration of the saline
solution increases; this is because salt will decrease or halt the seeds ability to
imbibe water.

MEATHODS
How does salinity affect the germination rate of seeds of the species Raphanus
sativus (common radish). If the concentration of salinity increases within a
substrate, the germination rate of the seeds will decrease uniformly. Throughout
the experiment, the rate of germination of the species Raphanus sativus
(common radish) was tested by subjecting 20 seeds to 9 different concentrations
of a saline solutions increasing in increments of 0.5%. The experiment was
conducted using 9 petri dishes based with a substrate consisting of paper towel.
4ml of each saline solution were absorbed within the substrate of each petri dish.
The results of this experiment were compiled over the course of a week. The
germination rate of seeds of the species Raphanus sativus (common radish)
were observed to slow or decrease before plummeting after a concentration of
2% halting germination completely. The results of this experiment partially
supported the hypothesis the effect of salinity could be summed up through the
delay of seed germination, and the decline in its rate and percentage.
MEATHODOLOGY
-9 petri dishes
-Paper towel
-Table salt (NaCl)
-Measuring cup
- Sensitive measuring scale capable of measuring small amounts.
-Distilled water
- 180 radish seeds
-Shoebox/box large enough to maintain all samples.
-9 large flasks/bottles (capable to hold 1 litre of water)
- Niko/ black permanent marker
MEATHOD:
-

Measure 8 different amounts of table salt with scale increasing from 5grams to 40
grams in 5-gram increments.
Measure 1 litre of distilled water and pour into each of the 9 flasks.
Add salt to respective flasks labelling during this process
Remove 3 leaflets of paper towel and fold in half
Sketch Petri dish onto paper towels
Cut out petri dish mould from paper towel

Place 1 petri dish shaped piece of paper towel in each petri dish
Add 20 seeds to each petri dish
Measure 4 ml of each salt solution and place respectively into each of the petri
dishes leaving 1 petri dish with pure distilled water as a control.
Place lids on petri dishes
Use tape to seal the petri dishes
Place all petri dishes into box
Place box in warm dark place that doesnt fluctuate dramatically in temperature
Check every day and record results relating to the rate of germination compared to
the salt concentration.

RESULTS
GERMINATION RATE OF RADISHES GERMINATED WITHIN VARIOUS SALINE SOLUTIONS
NaCL %
NUMBER OF SEEDS GERMINATED
Day 0
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Control
0
17
20
20
20
20
20
(0%)
1%
0
16
19
20
20
20
20
1.5%
0
11
16
18
20
20
20
2%
0
4
13
15
19
20
20
2.5%
0
2
7
12
13
16
16
3%
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
3.5%
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4%
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

PERCENTAGE GERMINATION RATE OF RADISHES GERMINATED WITHIN VARIOUS SALINE

SOLUTIONS
NaCL %
PERCENTAGE OF SEEDS GERMINATED
Day 0
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Control
0
85
100
100
100
100
100
(0%)
1%
0
80
95
100
100
100
100
1.5%
0
55
80
90
100
100
100
2%
0
20
65
75
95
100
100
2.5%
0
10
35
60
65
80
80
3%
0
0
0
5
5
5
5
3.5%
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4%
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

PERCENTAGE GERMINATION RATE

PERCENTAGE GERMINATION RATE OF RADISH SEEDS

GERMINATED WITHIN VARIOUS SALINE SOLUTIONS
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0

DAYS
CONTROL 0% NaCl

0.5% NaCl

1% NaCl

1.5% NaCl

2% NaCl

2.5% NaCl

3% NaCl

3.5% NaCl

4% NaCl

DISSCUSSION
The lowest saline intensity delayed germination, while higher percentages of salt (NaCl)
within the saline solution reduced final germination percentages. While the germination rate
of seeds used as a control group was noticeably more successful, No significant difference
occurred between the effects of these solutes on germination percentages in concentrations
of saline solutions with a sodium chloride percentage of less than 2%. Inhibited seeds
subject to saline solutions with a percentage of sodium chloride higher than 2% showed
stunted or no signs of physical development after the duration of the experiment. This
demonstrates that the primary effect of salts on the germination off seeds is osmotic.
The role of water in germination is of paramount importance. Non-dormant seeds
traditionally begin germination once they are subject to a moisture level higher than the
moisture level within the seed assuming temperature is optimal. This process is known as
imbibition. Traditionally like other forms of osmosis the water potential within the substrate
must be higher than the water potential within the seed; otherwise imbibition will not occur.
The results demonstrated that as the percentage of salt within the water increases the
germination rate of the seeds decreases. The highest rate of germination was that of the
control group which contained 0% salinity with a germination rate of 100%. While the lowest
germination rate was that of either a solution of 3.5% NaCl or 4% NaCl of which both
demonstrated severe stunted development impeding germination entirely.
The results of this experiment demonstrated that salt impedes this process of imbibition
slowing or halting germination completely. These results directly support the hypothesis;
that the higher the level of salt within a substrate the lower the germination rate until
germination is halted entirely. This is due to salts osmotic effect of salt within water. Water
like many other liquids is subject to diffusion, salt (NaCl) impedes this process of diffusion as
it is an ionic substance therefore it is attracted to the polar water molecules. This property

of salt allows it to be highly hydroscopic absorbing waster easily. This results in the effects
displayed throughout this experiment.
The design of the experiment and the accuracy of the data collected was moderate. Though
the data was collected within a laboratory environment; the data may be biased based upon
external factors.
The daytime and nighttime temperature was left to fluctuate; this could have biased effects
relating to the germination time of the seeds based towards the temperature of the room
on any particular day.
Attempts were made to ensure that the amount of water given and the amount of salt
composing the saline solution were accurate. Solutions were mixed in larger batches to
ensure that there was a smaller degree of percentage error based upon human error (.e.g.
not measuring accurately).
The times the results were collated and the germination resulting were observed, varied day
by day. This could have biased results towards days were biology was in the afternoon
rather than the morning. Resulting in flawed results based upon the time taken for seeds to
conclude germination.
The accuracy of the experiment and therefore the data collected could be improved by
ensuring that only one dependent variable was being measured. Assuring only one
independent variable was
Creating an artificial environment would allow the stabilization of temperature. This would
ensure that the light available to the seeds was constant and varying equally between night
periods consistent with the natural world. The accuracy of measurement could be
completed for both salt water and substrate material could be completed with less
percentage error. The temperature could have been monitored to ensure the temperature
was optimal for the germination of the radish seeds, this would ensure that the only factor
contributing to the germination rate was salinity.

Studies demonstrating the environmental stresses crops are subjected to at

different stages of development are very important to ensure that we reap the
benefits of an efficient horticulture. Salt, mainly sodium chloride, occurs
naturally at high levels in the subsoils of most Australian agricultural land (2004
David J. Pannell). Although sodium chloride (table salt) is among the less toxic
salts, it is one of the most common and thus one of the most troublesome to
agriculture hence its inclusion in this experiment. Salinity effects germination by
reducing the substrates water potential, thereby restricting water and nutrient
uptake to the seeds. (National Library of Medicine, 2001) Salt stress mimics
water stress in many ways leading to the suggestion that the principal effect of
salt is osmotic. The principal effects of salinity on seed germination could be
summarized in the delay of seed germination, and the decline in its rate and
percentage.

CONCLUSION
Australia and its agricultural regions are at particular threat concerning salinity
and its underlying causes. More than 17000 farms and 87% of farms identified in

the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAP regions), accounted
for showing signs of salinity. Farms primarily involved with the production of
beef cattle, sheep and grains accounted for 16,000 or 82% of the farms showing
signs of salinity. Knowing how salinity affects the germination rate of radishes is
not exactly helpful to the overall health of the Australian agricultural industry.
However, the implications salinity has on the Australian agricultural industry are
evident. Australia need to act to prevent issues such as dry land salinity without
proper decisive action we risk the future of our agricultural industry.

REFERENCES
http://hsc.csu.edu.au/agriculture/production/salinity/salinity.html
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/309381/Drylandsalinity-causes-and-impacts.pdf
http://aob.oxfordjournals.org/content/82/2/167
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11159127
https://ucanr.edu/repositoryfiles/ca3810p24-72368.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dryland_salinity
http://dpannell.fnas.uwa.edu.au/dp0403.htm
http://plantsinmotion.bio.indiana.edu/plantmotion/earlygrowth/germination/
germ.html
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4615.0
http://aob.oxfordjournals.org/content/82/2/167
http://www.softschools.com/examples/science/scientific_method_examples/16
7/
http://jpkc.scau.edu.cn/soilless/papers/upload/20067201811236248.pdf
http://aob.oxfordjournals.org/content/82/2/167

http://www.biologyreference.com/Re-Se/Seed-Germination-andDormancy.html#ixzz3hLsoATi5
https://student.unsw.edu.au/annotated-bibliography

ANNOTATED BIBILOGRAPHY
http://jpkc.scau.edu.cn/soilless/papers/upload/20067201811236248.pdf
L.F.M. Marcelis and J. Van Hooijdonk, 2004, Effect of salinity on growth, water use and
nutrient use in radish (Raphanus sativus L.), Research Institute for Agrobiology and Soil
Fertility (AB-DLO), P.O. Box. 14, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
In this article L.F.M. Marcelis and J. Van Hooijdonk outline the influences of salinity and the
osmotic affects of salts on the development of Raphanus sativus (common radish).The
authors use data gained through the experimentation of salts affects on radish seeds. Their
research focuses on assessing the effect of the osmotic effects of salt on the development of
radish seeds. Thus, the authors indicate that further, more extensive, research needs to be
undertaken to develop a more in-depth understanding of the effect of ion toxicity on the
development of radish seeds. This article will not form the basis of my research; however, it
will be useful supplementary information for my research into the effect of salinity and its
osmotic affect of salt.
http://plantsinmotion.bio.indiana.edu/plantmotion/earlygrowth/germination/germ.html
In this article, the author describes the process of germination. The author describes the
processes of germination and the factors required for germination to occur. The article

detailed the process of germination not specific to the species of Raphanus sativus (common
radish). This article will not form the basis of my research; however it will be useful detailing
the processes of germination formulating a background of my investigation.
http://www.biologyreference.com/Re-Se/Seed-Germination-andDormancy.html#ixzz3hLsoATi5
Bewley, J. Derek. "Seed Germination and Dormancy." Plant Cell 9 (1997): 10551066. ,
and Michael Black. Seeds: Physiology of Development and Germination, 2nd ed. New York:
Plenum Press, 1994.
In this article J. Derek.and Michael Black review the affect of dormancy and the factors that
effect germination. The authors summarise the factors affecting the germination and
dormancy of seeds. Though not specific to the species Raphanus sativus (common radish).
This article will not form the basis of my research; however, it will help determine the factors
that affect germination and dormancy within seeds.