Germination of Orchid Seeds With Different Plant Media Components
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Plant germination is the starting growth of a seedling. Depending on the type of genus, requirements must be met for germination to occur. For this research, our lab focused on the soil components required for a native orchid known as bog candles, Platanthera dilatata, to germinate. Soils for orchids contain general chemical components at different concentration levels and various pH values that contribute to the germination and growth of orchids. These components are what our research is focusing on. Inside a lab, media is a substitution for soil as it contains nutrients normally given to the soil by fungi and mycorrhizae. Media can be used to see plant germination from the naked eye. Different types of media can be experimentally changed to determine how various chemicals and pH influence germination and may reflect variation in germination ability of plants in different soils. For this research, seeds were collected from orchid plants in various soil compositions in Alaska. Orchid seeds are tested with four media types. Seeds were watched over an 8-week period and then placed under a microscope to count the number that had germinated along with taking information on the structure, growth, and size of germinated seeds. Future experiments will include further component testing of pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium in different media types to determine their effects on the germination of the seeds. This research is important as it can provide ways to germinate bog candles without fungi and in soils that contain the right soil components.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Lisa Wallace
College Affiliation
College of Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Biology | Botany
Session Title
Poster Session
Location
Learning Commons @ Perry Library
Start Date
3-19-2022 9:00 AM
End Date
3-19-2022 11:00 AM
Germination of Orchid Seeds With Different Plant Media Components
Learning Commons @ Perry Library
Plant germination is the starting growth of a seedling. Depending on the type of genus, requirements must be met for germination to occur. For this research, our lab focused on the soil components required for a native orchid known as bog candles, Platanthera dilatata, to germinate. Soils for orchids contain general chemical components at different concentration levels and various pH values that contribute to the germination and growth of orchids. These components are what our research is focusing on. Inside a lab, media is a substitution for soil as it contains nutrients normally given to the soil by fungi and mycorrhizae. Media can be used to see plant germination from the naked eye. Different types of media can be experimentally changed to determine how various chemicals and pH influence germination and may reflect variation in germination ability of plants in different soils. For this research, seeds were collected from orchid plants in various soil compositions in Alaska. Orchid seeds are tested with four media types. Seeds were watched over an 8-week period and then placed under a microscope to count the number that had germinated along with taking information on the structure, growth, and size of germinated seeds. Future experiments will include further component testing of pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium in different media types to determine their effects on the germination of the seeds. This research is important as it can provide ways to germinate bog candles without fungi and in soils that contain the right soil components.