The Grass Doctor

What's the effect of temperature on grass seeds?

I recently did an experiment on 3 species of grass seeds. All of which are C3 plants (Cynodon dactylon, Pennisetum clandestinum and Festuca arundinacea). The seeds in total darkness grew, however, did not get their full colour and were very weak; it also grew at the same rate as the standard. The seeds in the light grew much faster than the other two. The standard grew at a normal rate. Does anyone know why this happened??? Any help? Or any websites you know of that talk about this?? Many thanks, J

Public Comments

1. This is not an effect of temperature but of light. Plants use photosynthesis to grow. The reaction takes carbon dioxide and water and uses sunlight (plus chlorophyll) as a catalyst to produce glucose for growth. The seedlings lose their color because the green chlorophyll disappears since there is no sunlight to react with anyway.