THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE PERCENTAGE OF GERMINATION OF MUNG BEANS

1.1 Introduction

Mung beans (Vigna radiata) are traditionally grown in various parts of Asia and have been accepted as a part of the local diet for many people (Zhou et al., 2017). The beans contain a balanced source of protein, dietary fiber, and significant amounts of bioactive phytochemicals. Considering the beans are rich in protein, amino acids, and antioxidants there are many health benefits associated with the beans as they have detoxifying, anti- inflammatory and diuretic properties. Typically, mung beans have a slightly sweet taste to them and are sold as sprouts or in dried form. As they are not popular in Western culture, they can still be found in most grocery stores. Generally mung beans benefit in warmer climates where the optimal temperature is 27-30° C and they are known for germinating and sprouting at quick rates in these conditions (Zhou et al., 2017).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

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1.2 Background of Study

Agricultural areas in the world have reached their natural limits. There are losses in agricultural areas due to global warming, distorted urbanization and some industrial activities. In addition, these areas become inefficient due to erosion, wasteland and faulty agricultural activities. The only measure that can be taken to meet the nutritional needs of the growing population is to increase the amount of product obtained from the unit area (kg da-1 or ton ha-1). Within this, it is necessary to develop new varieties resistant to biotic and abiotic stress factors and to determine the tolerance levels of plants, species and varieties to these stress factors (Ozgen et al., 2005).

Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) is an important grain legume among the pulses in Bangladesh. It’s contributed 6.5% of the total pulse production in our country. In Bangladesh, total production of mungbean was 225,500 tons from an area of 205700 hectares in 2015-16 (AIS 2017). Mungbean seed contains 1-3% fat, 5.4% carbohydrates, 25.67% protein, 3.5- 4.5% fibers and 4.5-5.5% ash, while calcium and phosphorus are 132 and 367 mg per 100 grams of seed, respectively (Frauque et al. 2000). It is highly nutritious and the green pods are eaten as vegetable. Being a legume, it enriches soil health through biological N fixation and is the cheapest source of dietary protein for human and livestock. Mungbean helps to reduce the cost for nitrogen fertilizers through symbiotic association of roots and rhizobia as reported by Limpens and Bisseling (2003). Although mungbean is a significant grain crop in South East Asian countries like Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan but its genetic potential is not yet obtained at the field due to different biotic and abiotic stresses.

Environmental stresses adversely affect growth and productivity of plants, particularly those which are sensitive to salinity and alkalinity (Islam 2011). The loss of potentially cultivable land is likely to increase over the next 20 years and threats the world food supply (Islam 2012). One of the main reasons of the reducing arable land is either due to natural salinity or induced by human activities (Mahajan and Tuteja 2005; Hasanuzzaman et al. 2013). Salinity stress cause severe changes in growth, physiology and metabolism of plants, thus threatening the cultivation of plants around the globe (Lunde et al. 2007).

Mung bean has a warm climate, has not been sufficiently widespread in the world due to the lack of recognition and the cultivation of approximately 6 million hectare (HanumanthaRao et al., 2016). Mung bean vegetation period is short (65-90 days), has a wide adaptability, relatively less need for water compared to other legume plants (Parida and Das, 2005) and low input costs in production, high protein value (22-28%) and nutritional value (Singh and Singh, 2011). In particular, where monoculture agriculture is widespread and access to protein resources in nutrition is limited, it will benefit both ecologically for producers and consumers.

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Effect of Temperature on the Percentage of Germination of Mung Beans.

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1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that salinity stress creates potential problems during the seed germination and survival of Mung Beans seedlings. The crop performance largely determines by germination of seeds which is more susceptible to soil salinity than established plants (Kumar et al. 2008). Mandal and Singh (2000) reported that salinity stress greatly varied the germination and seedling growth in different crop cultivars. It is generally accepted that the germination and early seedling stages of plant’s life cycle is more sensitive to salinity than the adult stage. For the successful field establishment, good crop stands as well as for higher yield, seeds should have the ability to germinate and seedlings growth properly under salt stress. The superior performance regarding germination and seedling growth traits under salt stress has been used as a selection criterion for recognizing salt tolerant individuals.

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1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to determine the Effect of Temperature on the Percentage of Germination of Mung Beans. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To assess the effect of mung beans stress on the germination and early seedling growth of mungbean
2. To examine the effect of temperature on the growth rate of mung beans.
3. To evaluate the effects of seed immersion in pre-determined water on mung beans germination.
4. To find out the difference in mung bean growth dependent on temperature, with the warmer environment yielding the fastest rate due to hotter temperatures, allowing the seed coating to tear and embryos within to plump out.

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1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Are there difference in mung bean growth dependent on temperature, with the warmer environment yielding the fastest rate due to hotter temperatures, allowing the seed coating to tear and embryos within to plump out?
• What is the effect of temperature on the growth rate of mung beans?
• What are the effect of mung beans stress on the germination and early seedling growth of mung beans?
• What are the effects of seed immersion in pre-determined water on mung beans germination?

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1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There is no significant difference in mung beans growth dependent on temperature, with the warmer environment yielding the fastest rate due to hotter temperatures, allowing the seed coating to tear and embryos within to plump out.
• H1: There is a significant difference in mung beans growth dependent on temperature, with the warmer environment yielding the fastest rate due to hotter temperatures, allowing the seed coating to tear and embryos within to plump out.

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1.7 Significance of Study

This study will be of immense benefit to farmers and other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

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1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Effect of Temperature on the Percentage of Germination of Mung Beans in Nigeria.

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1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).