BIOLOGY PROJECT
SEED GERMINATION IN
DIFFERENT FACRTORS
Name: Aishani Mondal
Board roll no.:
Class: XII
Sec.: A
Session: 2025-26
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DURGAPUR
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF
AISSCE-2026
Name: AISHANI MONDAL
Board roll no.:
Class: XII
Sec: A
Session: 2025-26
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my special thanks to our Principal madam Miss.
Anindita Home Choudhury, who gave me the golden opportunity to do this
wonderful project on the topic SEED GERMINATION IN DIFFERENT
FACTORS, which also helped me to do a lot of research and I came to know
about so many new things.
The completion of this undertaking could have not been possible without
the assistance of Mrs Mekhala das.
I extend my gratefulness and thank our lab assistant sir Mr. Amalesh
Manna, who always made our practical classes hassle free with his
constant presence of mind and helpful attitude.
I thank my partner DHIMOYEE ROY, working along with her has
inculcated values of cooperation, appreciation, adjustment, and acceptance
to mention a few.
I take this opportunity to thank my parents who helped me a lot in
finalizing this project with resources and lots of motivation.
Signature of student:
Signature of internal examiner:
Signature of external examiner:
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INDEX
SL.NO. TOPIC PAGE
Introduction 6
1.
Theory 7-8
2.
Subject Matter 9-10
3.
Materials 11
4. Required
Procedure 12-14
5.
Experiment 15-16
6.
Observation 17-20
7.
4
Conclusion 21-22
8.
Bibliography 23
9.
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INTRODUCTION
Seed germination is a critical stage in the life
cycle of a plant. It is the process through
which a seed develops into a new plant under
suitable environmental conditions. Germination
depends on several factors such as water,
temperature, oxygen, and the type of medium in
which the seed is planted.
This project aims to investigate how different
growing mediums affect the rate and success of
seed germination. By comparing various
substrates such as soil, sand, cotton, and paper
towels, we can determine which medium provides
the most favourable conditions for seed
germination.
Understanding how different media influence seed
growth not only helps in optimizing agricultural
practices but also contributes to better
gardening and ecological restoration techniques.
This study provides valuable insights into plant
biology and the practical factors that influence
plant development from the earliest stage.
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THEORY
Seed germination is the process by which a
seed emerges from a period of dormancy and
begins to sprout, ultimately developing
into a seedling. This process is
influenced by both internal factors (such
as seed viability and enzyme activity) and
external environmental conditions (such as
water, oxygen, temperature, and light).
A critical external factor affecting
germination is the type of medium in which
the seed is placed. The medium acts as a
support system and can influence moisture
retention, aeration, and nutrient
availability. For instance:
• Soil is a natural medium rich in
nutrients and microbial activity,
providing a balanced environment for
germination.
• Sand offers good drainage but poor
water and nutrient retention.
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• Cotton retains moisture well and offers
a clean environment but lacks
nutrients.
• Paper towel provides a sterile and
moisture-rich surface but, like cotton,
lacks nutritional value.
Different seeds may respond differently to
these media based on their structure and
requirements. This experiment is based on
the theory that the physical and chemical
properties of the medium directly impact
the speed and success of seed germination.
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SUBJECT MATTER
Plants are fundamental to life on Earth,
providing oxygen, food, and shelter for
countless organisms. Their life begins
with a tiny but powerful process called
seed germination, where a dormant seed
awakens and begins to grow into a new
plant. This process is influenced by
several factors, including water
availability, temperature, oxygen, and
most importantly in this study — the
growing medium.
This project focuses on understanding how
different germination media — such as
soil, sand, cotton, and paper towel —
affect the speed and success of seed
germination. These media vary in
properties like water retention, air
circulation, and nutrient content, which
can significantly influence how well a
seed can sprout and develop.
This investigation is especially important
in agricultural science, where selecting
the right medium can impact crop
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production. It also has implications in
home gardening, plant propagation, and
educational settings where germination
experiments are used to teach biological
principles.
By observing seeds germinate in different
materials, this project connects classroom
biology to practical, real-world
applications, offering insight into how
the environment shapes early plant growth
and survival.
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MATERIALS REQUIRED
• Gram seeds
• 4 growing mediums:
a. Soil
b. Cotton
c. Tissue paper
d. Sand
• 4 small containers or trays
• Water
• Measuring cup or dropper
• Labels or marker pens
• Notebook for daily observations
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PROCEDURE
1. Label the Containers:
Take 4 containers and label them based on
the seed and medium combinations.
2. Prepare the Growing Mediums:
Place an equal amount of soil, sand,
cotton, and tissue paper in the respective
containers.
Ensure the mediums are clean and moist
before placing the seeds.
3. Plant the Seeds:
In each container, place 5 seeds of gram
in the 4 different medium.
Gently press the seeds into the medium,
ensuring they are partially embedded
(especially for cotton and tissue).
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4. Watering:
Add an equal and appropriate amount of
water (e.g., 10 ml) to each container
daily.
Make sure the medium remains moist but not
waterlogged.
5. Place Under Similar Conditions:
Keep all containers in the same location
to ensure uniform light and temperature.
6. Daily Observation:
Observe the containers every day for 7–10
days.
Record the number of seeds germinated in
each container.
Measure the height of seedlings using a
ruler.
Note the appearance of roots and shoots.
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7. Data Recording:
Prepare a table to record daily
germination status for each seed-medium
combination.
You can include number of seeds
germinated, shoot length, colour, and
overall health.
8. Conclusion:
After the observation period, analyse
which seed germinated best in which
medium.
Summarize your findings with proper
reasoning and scientific explanation.
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EXPERIMENT
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OBSERVATION
MEDIUM TOTAL NO. OF AVERAGE COLOUR OF OVERALL
NO. OF SEEDS SHOOT SHOOT HEALTH OF
SEEDS GERMINATED LENGTH SEEDLINGS
PLANTED (BY DAY 7) (CM)
Light Healthy
SOIL 5 4 5.2 green and sturdy
Bright Very and
COTTON 5 5 6.0 green healthy
and
upright
Pale Moderately
TISSUE 5 4 4.7 green healthy
PAPER and a bit
delicate
Yellowish Weak, low
SAND 5 3 3.5 green moisture
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Observation Summary:
• Cotton medium showed the highest
success rate in germination,
with all 5 seeds sprouting and
the longest shoots with bright
green colour and upright growth.
• Tissue paper also supported full
germination, but shoots appeared
slightly weaker in structure.
• Soil provided strong anchorage
and resulted in healthy and
sturdy seedlings, though
germination was slightly slower
than in cotton.
• Sand was the least effective
medium, with fewer seeds
germinating, shorter shoots, and
signs of nutrient deficiency
(pale colour).
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CONCLUSION
After conducting the experiment on the
germination of Gram (Chickpea) seeds in four
different growing mediums—soil, cotton,
tissue paper, and sand—the following
conclusions were drawn:
1. Cotton was found to be the most effective
medium for germination. All seeds germinated
successfully, with the longest shoots and
bright green coloration, indicating good
water retention and oxygen availability.
2. Tissue Paper also supported full
germination. However, the seedlings appeared
slightly weaker, suggesting that while
moisture was sufficient, the structure was
not ideal for root anchorage.
3. Soil, though slightly slower in
germination compared to cotton, produced
sturdy and healthy seedlings. This medium
provided good support and nutrients,
contributing to strong shoot development and
overall health.
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4. Sand was the least effective medium, with
only 3 out of 5 seeds germinating. The
seedlings were short, pale, and weak,
possibly due to poor water retention and
lack of nutrients.
Final Statement:
This experiment demonstrates that the choice
of growing medium has a significant impact
on seed germination. For Gram seeds, cotton
proved best for quick and healthy sprouting,
while soil offered better long-term support.
Tissue paper was moderately effective, and
sand was the least suitable for seed
germination.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Books & School Textbooks:
1. NCERT Class IX Science Textbook –
Chapter 1: The Fundamental Unit of Life and
Chapter 5: The Fundamental Processes of Life
2. NCERT Class X Science Textbook –
Chapter 6: Life Processes
3. Dinesh Biology Practical Book –
Experiments on Germination of Seeds
Websites and Online Resources:
1. National Geographic Kids – Seed Germination
2. Khan Academy – Plant Structure and
Germination
3. Mombrite.com – How to Grow Seeds in Cotton
Balls
4. Shutterstock – Seed Germination Photos
5. Alamy – Gram Seed Germination in Soil
6. YouTube – Seed Germination in Tissue Paper
and Cotton
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