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.

Presenting Author Name/s

Sarah Granderson

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

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Mar 19th, 9:00 AM Mar 19th, 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.