I sometimes do experiments with seeds. We test germination conditions. More often than not, the experiments fail because none of the seeds germinate. I usually use grass seed because you get so much for so little but I find that they take a long time to sprout.
Can someone recommend a seed that is cheap, easy to get and that germinates quickly?
Bean seeds. You can get dried beans at the grocery store and use them, or a seed packet from a garden store.
Salad cress germinates in a very short time. Mustard is a little slower, but probably cheaper to buy in bulk.
Oh, and Alfalfa is quick too.
Whatever they use in grade school for this lesson. Lima beans?
Radish seeds germinate in about 4 days, and produce easily identifiable little cotyledon pairs.