Discussion 1

Gas composition

Temperature
From the data observed, low and high temperatures do not show seed germination. Low
temperatures stunted germination of seeds because the condition inactivates enzymes and
causes the seed to be dormant. High temperatures denatured plant enzymes and resulted to
dormancy or death of seedlings. Optimal growth was observed at room temperature as the
enzyme activities in this temperature were normal.

pH
Mung beans have an optimal pH of 6.2 to 7.2 (Ryczkowski, n.d.). In pH 3 (acidic conditions),
growth of the beans was hindered since enzymes can be inhibited or denatured at low pH. In pH
11, (basic conditions), germination was also not observed as this also may have affected the
enzymes involved in germination.

Osmotic concentration
The data shows decrease in germination as osmotic concentration increases. Salt on plants
leads to physical drought, hence it reduces the supply of water in plants. Salty environments in
plants would allow large amounts of salts in cells; this reduces water potential and increases
water absorption in physiological drought conditions. According to Loercher (1974), the effect of
NaCl on germination is mostly osmotic. However, the nature is still unknown (Bojovic et al.,
2010)

References
Bojovic, B. Đelić, G., Topuzovic, M.Stankovic, M., 2010. Effects of NaCl on seed germination in
some species from families Brassicaceae and Solanaceae. Kragujevac J. Sci. 83-87.

Ryczkowski, A., n.d. The best conditions for mung bean growth [WWW Document]. URL
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/conditions-mung-bean-growth-28008.html. (Accessed 01.31.18).