Got seeds? Now add bleach, acid and sandpaper - Mary Koga
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- 12,566 Questions Answered
- TEDEd Animation
Let’s Begin…
For a seed to start growing, its embryo must emerge from its hard coat. In nature the embryo is aided by frost and animal digestion -- but humans can help too. Nicking, filing, and soaking the seed in hot water or acid are all forms of scarification, or ways to speed up germination by breaking down the shell. Mary Koga offers some tips to spur your sprouts (and don't forget the bleach!).
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Additional Resources for you to Explore
Mary Koga's lab procedure, data table, etc.:
http://www.cactus-art.biz/note-book/Dictionary/Dictionary_S/dictionary_scarification.htm
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/oaklandes/science/grade3/brassica1.pdf
http://www.uri.edu/cels/ceoc/documents/germinatingSeeds.pdf
Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQeGaZMB9kM
http://www.chicagonow.com/chicago-garden/2013/05/seed-starting-seed-scarification/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGcHfDtOnF8
http://www.cactus-art.biz/note-book/Dictionary/Dictionary_S/dictionary_scarification.htm
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/oaklandes/science/grade3/brassica1.pdf
http://www.uri.edu/cels/ceoc/documents/germinatingSeeds.pdf
Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQeGaZMB9kM
http://www.chicagonow.com/chicago-garden/2013/05/seed-starting-seed-scarification/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGcHfDtOnF8

TED-Ed
Lesson Creator
New York, NY
If seeds of a fruit tree became rare and endangered and you were entrusted with the only 10 seeds...
If so, which method(s) and why? If you would not scarify the seeds, explain why not?
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