The Effects Of UV Light And Temperature On The Growth And Germination Rates Of Genetically

Modified Soybean Seeds

By Caroline Hsiao

AbstractIn this experiment normal soybeans, that can be purchased in any grocery

or local seed shop, and genetically modified soybeans, which were ordered via the Carolina science company, were used to test the effects of temperature and UV light on soybean growth and germination rate. One half of the seeds were then placed in a small 26C incubator and allowed to grow for 8 days. The remaining half of the seeds were put in a tray out in room temperature (about 20C-25C) for 8 days and allowed to grow. Measurements in cm were taken each day. The next trial a second variable was introduced and this was that the same number of seeds were exposed to UV light and then placed in a heat or control environment. Then the same amount of seeds were planted and were not given and exposure to UV light and planted in both the heat and control environments. These plants were then all allowed to grow for 8 days, and then the trial was repeated.

Need• Genetically modified foods are virtually everywhere in today's

markets, but people are unsure if they have any flaw to them (growing slower, more vulnerable to temperature flooding or extreme light etc.)

• Not much testing has been done on the growth and germination cycles of genetically modified foods or the effects of UV light and temperature on genetically modified soybeans

Knowledge BaseStages of Soybean Germination

Plant health

Amount of UV light (dosage)

Genetically Modified Soybean Seeds Normal Soybean

Seeds

Purpose

Many farmers search for better ways to grow their crops and researchers around the globe dedicate their lives to helping these farmers by means of their research. A great deal of research has been done to assist soybean farmers including the effects of temperature and also UV light on soybean growth and germination rate. Genetically modifying seeds and planting them is yet another way that scientists may help farmers. However there is almost no research done about the effects of these variables (temperature and UV light) on the effects of genetically modified soybean growth.

Lit Review

S. K. TYAGI and R. P. TRIPATHI,• Warmer temperatures increase soybean germination and

also growth, colder temperatures discourage growth. Large amounts of soil moisture assist soybean growth but after 15% of the soil was moistened growth was discouraged.

Eileen Feilmeier Wuebker, Russell E. Mullen, and Kenneth Koehler

• Warmer temperatures increase soybean growth and longer periods of flooding also tend to increase soybean growth, however after 2 or 3 days of flooding soybean germination percentages greatly decrease.

Null Hypothesis

When seeds are not exposed to UV light and are placed in a control environment they will grow faster and healthier than the seeds which have been exposed to UV light and are placed in a heat environment.

Alternate Hypothesis

When seeds are exposed to small amounts of UV light and are placed in a heat environment they will grow at the same rate as the seeds which have not been exposed to UV light and are placed in a control environment.

Methodology The Effects Of UV Light And Temperature On Genetically Modified Soybean And Normal Soybean Growth

6 (per trial) genetically modified soybeans were exposed to UV light and then placed in a 26C incubator.

6 (per trial) normal soybeans were exposed to UV light and then placed in a 26C incubator.

6 (per trial) normal soybeans were exposed to UV light and then placed at room temperature (25C).

6 (per trial) genetically modified soybeans were placed at room temperature (25C)

6 (per trial) normal soybeans were placed at room temperature

6 (per trial) normal soybeans were placed in an 26C incubator

6 (per trial) genetically modified soybeans were placed in a 26C incubator

6 (per trial) genetically modified soybeans were placed at room temperature

Measurements in cm were taken everyday, each test lasted about a week and a half (8 days)

Measurements of the height (in cm) of the plants stem and leaves were taken

Quantitative data was taken as well as some qualitative data that was used (plant health) and these were to calculate the mean of these plants.

Bibliography• Differential Proteolysis of Glycinin and jB-Conglycinin Polypeptides during

Soybean Germination and Seedling Growth‘, Karla A. Wilson, Berit R. Rightmire, Jean C. Chen, And Anna L. Tan-Wilson, May 5, 1986, Plant Physiol. (1986) vol 82, 71-76,

• Flooding and Temperature Effects on Soybean Germination, Wuebker, EF Mullen, RE Koehler, K, Nov-Dec 2001. Crop Science [Crop Sci.]. Vol. 41, no. 6, pp. 1857-1861.

• Ultraviolet light and ozone stimulate accumulation of salicylic acid, pathogenesis-related proteins and virus resistance in tobacco, Nasser Yalpani, Alexander J. Enyedi, Jose Leon, llya Raskin, November 2 1993

• Studies on the flooding tolerance of soybean seed: varietal differences, F.F. Hou & F.S. Thseng, October 11 1991, Euphyica vol 57: pgs 173, 1991.

• Low Temperature Effects on Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr. cv. Wells) Mitochondrial Respiration and Several Dehydrogenases during Imbibition and Germination, Stanley H. Duke, Larry E. Schrader, And Marna Geyer Miller, August 9, 1977, Plant Physiol. (1977) vol. 60, pgs 716-722