Download The Effects of Potassium Nitrate and Cold Moist on Milkweed Seeds

The Effect of Potassium Nitrate and Cold Moist on Milkweed Seeds
Introduction
Chrissy Martinez and
Christina Graber
Merrill F. West FFA
Division 3
Environmental Science
Materials
Milkweed plants are the main habitat for the
400 seeds of Asclepias Speciosa milkweed seeds, 1
monarch butterfly. Female monarch butterflies must
tsp of potassium nitrate, 2 beakers, potting soil, 4
find milkweed to lay their eggs. Monarchs choose
planting trays, refrigerator, zip-lock bags, paper
to lay their eggs on milkweed is because most
towels, hot water, 1 plastic spoon, 4 labels, and cold
milkweed plants contain cardiac glycosides. When
water.
caterpillars consume the leaves of the plant their
Procedure
tissues become toxic to predators. This protection
continues throughout their entire life.
In this experiment 2 trials were completed. In
both trials the scarification procedure included
Newly hatched monarch
caterpillars consuming
milkweed.
soaking the seeds in a potassium nitrate solution
for 24 hours. In trial 1 the seeds went through a
two month stratification in a refrigerator prior to
Need for Study
planting and for trial 2 the seeds went through a
Planting the milkweed seeds seeds for trial 1.
Monarch butterflies are in danger because of the
loss of milkweed plants due to urbanization.
landowners to restore milkweed on their properties
Research Questions
Number of Seeds Germinated
break the seeds dormancy.
Conclusion
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through a more efficient methods of propagating.
scarification and stratification process in order to
planting.
Trial 1 Results
Improving methods of germination will allow
This experiment will imitate nature’s natural
three month stratification treatment prior to
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Trial 1
Germination
results
Scarification
and 60 day
stratification
.
The hypothesis was partially supported. The
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25
potassium nitrate scarification and cold moist
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15
stratification method combined did not perform as
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well as predicted. The potassium nitrate
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scarification alone had the most outstanding
0
0 Days
6 Days
10 Days
16 Days
22 Days
Days Collected Data
Control Cold Moist KNO 3 Cold Moist & KNO 3
Will potassium nitrate and cold moist reduce the
dormancy rate of milkweed seeds? What is the
Figure 1 Milkweed germination
germination rate of the seeds tested and not tested
Hypothesis
If milkweed seeds are treated with potassium
nitrate and cold moist then it will improve the
germination rate in the seeds.
Trial 2
Germination
results
Scarification
and 90 day
stratification
Number of Seeds Germinated
products separately?
of the potassium nitrate/cold moist group. Future
procedure.
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cold moist solution and potassium nitrate together
increase germination rate faster than using the two
germination rate and it decreased the germination
studies will include a revised stratification
Trial 2 Results
with potassium nitrate and cold moist? Will using
performance. The cold moist had the lowest
Works Cited
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40
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Brianna Borders, E. L.-M. (n.d.). Milkweed sA
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Conservation Practitioner's Guide. The Xerces
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Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Gluesenkamp, D. (2015). Milkweeds. Retrieved
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0 Days
6 Days
8 Days
9 Days 12 Days 16 Days
Days Collected Data
Control
Cold Moist
KNO 3
Cold Moist & KNO 3
Figure 2 Milkweed germination
from California Native Plant Association:
http://www.cnps.org