Rate of Germination at Depths with Phosphorus and Without Phosphorus

Introduction and Objectives:

The experiment was performed to examine rate of germination at depths with phosphorus and without phosphorus. With this experiment I hope to learn what grasses grow in certain situations. For example, what grasses grow in an environment to need quick establishment need quick establishment like a football field. I intend to find out what depth it is best to plant seed. Also, I will find out if grasses germinate faster with phosphorus or not. It will be interesting to see how creeping bentgrass does under two inches of soil with such a small seed. Of these four seeds, I expect perennial rye grasses to germinate first, because it is a good seed for establishment.

Materials and Methods:

We first gathered two wooden crates, and then were marked off for 4 separate strips with Ð...", 1", 1Ð...", and 2 inches marked on the sides, 4 for each grass. The grasses consisted of Kentucky bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, perennial rye, and tall fescue. We used pins on top of the wood to hold strings across the top of the crate. Mark had already put the soil in the crates at a slant, so the seed could be planted at different depths. The depth of the soils were Ð..., 1, 1Ð... , and 2 inches. The seed of each cultivar was then dispersed as evenly as possible for each plot.

After the seed was placed, the crates were then filled with sphagnum moss and perlite to the strings. We then we went down to the greenhouse and placed both of he crates in the same environment, where the misters would get to them. We observed the experiment for about two weeks, looking for germination, how seeds did with different depths, and if phosphorus had an effect on germination.

Results, Data Collected, Calculations, and Questions from Lab handout:

The following two tables explain the germination time of the grasses at different depths in the two different nutrients. As you can see phosphorus did slightly better in which it causes the grass to germinate faster. The creeping bentgrass and perennial rye, treated with phosphorus, were the first seeds to germinate.

Phosphorus

.5 in 1in

Kentucky bluegrass Germinated on 11-9 Little germ. on 11-14

Creeping