The effects of temperature and single frequency audio sound on the germination rate of seeds

It was the purpose of this study to determine the effects, if any, of temperature and single frequency, audio sound on the germination rate of seeds. These data were then used in the development of a mathematical model which describes this action. With the aid of this model, the activation energy was also determined, as well as certain other parameters. In all the experiments a single variety of turnip seed was used. All samples were randomly selected and were germinated under identical conditions, with the exceptions of sound and temperature. All the data were collected by the same person by visual observation of the seeds during germination. A constant temperature board, with a tight fitting lid for control of humidity, was used to obtain the required environmental conditions. The data were graphically and mathematically analyzed using various computer programs. The theoretical curves obtained from the model were fitted to the experimental data points by the least-squares method, with the chi-square test being used as the criteria for goodness of fit