Experiment 9 — What Does a Seed Need?

Topic: Biology · Classes 4–5 · Plants: seeds and germination

Aim: Make the gram seed sprout in 7 days.

Daily: Every sprouted moong in your kitchen is this experiment. Farmers test a handful of seeds before sowing a whole field, and soak seeds overnight for exactly the reason you are about to discover.

Question: Which condition is NOT needed for a seed to sprout?

Exp: Seeds sprout in the dark using stored food. Light matters after the green leaves appear.

Question: A seed soaked completely under water usually rots because…

Exp: Germinating seeds respire and need oxygen.

Question: Seeds in a refrigerator do not sprout because…

Exp: Cold slows the processes almost to a stop.

Question: Where does a sprouting seed get food?

Exp: The seed carries its own store until leaves form.

Question: To test whether light is needed, compare…

Exp: Change only the light: that is a controlled experiment.