In order to determine what level of salinity Zizania palustris germinates best in; four different solutions were made. I combined salt (NaCl) and deionized water to make four different solutions with four different levels of salinity and conductivity. In addition, a control was used to eradicate any confounding variables. The control contained only deionized water and plant nutrients. In order to make up for any nutrients not present in the water that would usually be present in nature, 1.6 mL of Hydroponic plant nutrient solution was added to 1 L of deionized water. Five trials were conducted for each variable. For each repetition of each salinity level, 140mL of water of the pre-determined salinity was placed into a 150mL beaker along with 20 Z. palustris seeds.
The salinity for each set of jars was based on data collected from different areas of Lake Wingra. By using the Hach Chloride kit test, chloride levels were determined for the area in the middle of Lake Wingra, the area inside the carp enclosure, and the old natural spring in the low forest. Once chloride levels were found, an equation was used to determine an approximate sodium chloride level. By testing different locations around Edgewood campus, tests were able to show if the seeds will germinate better in one location versus the other. The experimental levels used were 0 mg/L, 100 mg/L, 500 mg/L, and 1000 mg/L NaCl. These beakers were placed in a room temperature facility. The light regime used is not important, as wild rice seeds usually germinate under water with little sun exposure.
The jars were monitored on a daily basis for germination status. Germination occurs when both radicle and cotyledon(s) have emerged from the seed. Radicles and cotyledons are the embryonic roots and leaves inside of the seed - the radicle will emerge first and then shortly thereafter the cotyledon(s) will emerge. Once seed germination occurred, the data was recorded and the seed was taken out of the jar and disposed of. Because average germination time in sodium chloride-free water takes less than one week (as tested earlier in a pilot study I conducted), the seeds were only monitored for one week. In this way, the study was able to determine if the presence of sodium chloride affected the rate of seed germination in Zizania palustris.