Effects of Water Types on Radish Plant Growth Lab Report

Effects of Water Types on Radish Plant Growth Abstract This experiment was performed to determine how various nutrients in differing water samples affect the overall height of radish seeds after two weeks of growth. A total of four plants were all potted in sterilized soil from the same bag. Each plant was given a different water source of either rain water, fish water, miracle-gro, or tap water. Each type of water had varying levels of ammonia, chloride, carbon dioxide, nitrate, phosphate, pH, and sulfide. Plants were watered every two days and placed in the same location in a greenhouse. Our null hypothesis stated that the radish plants show no difference in growth when watered with varying water types (ie. rain water, fish water, miracle-gro, or tap water). The null hypothesis will be rejected as measurements of each radish plant, root and stem, taken at the end of a two week period suggested that miracle grow promoted the most growth with a total of 9.08 centimeters root length and 16.64 centimeters stem length. This experiment shows significance as it demonstrates varying nutrients within water types do have an effect on overall plant germination and allows for further research into determining the most effective way to promote plant growth in the agriculture industry. Introduction In this lab we explore if different types of water, given to the radish plant, produces a significant overall growth difference. Water is essential for plant survival as it carries nutrients that are needed for plant growth (Ferguson, 1959). Water is also a key component in the process of photosynthesis where plants are able to synthesize their food from water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide. Without water present, plants are unable to carry out these processes and therefore cannot survive. This experiment thus focuses on if and how different types of water (tap, rain, fish, and miracle grow) alter the growth of plants in any significant way. The independent variable in this experiment was water type, while the dependent variable was resulting plant growth. Our alternate hypothesis stated that if radish plants are treated with rain water, fish water, Miracle Gro, and tap water, then Miracle Gro will promote the highest overall plant growth. Our null hypothesis stated that the radish plants show no difference in growth when watered with varying water types (ie. rain water, fish water, miracle-gro, or tap water). The water types differed based on the amount of several nutrients present. The nutrients tested and measured within the waters consisted of ammonia, chloride, carbon dioxide, nitrate, phosphate, pH, and sulfide. In a study published in the Pakistan Journal of Life and Social Sciences titled, “Performance of Cotton through Foliar Application of Growth Promoters”, the use of different growth enhancers (Phostrogen, Miracle Gro, chelated, Schultz, and Bloom Plus) and their effects on plant growth, number of leaves, chlorophyll content, number of bolls per plant, and number of cotton seed per boll were recorded. A discussion of the different nutrients found within these growth promoters revealed that nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium were essential nutrient for plants, fruiting, and yield of crops (Naeem Gillani, et al., 2015). Specifically, phosphorous enhances growth, nitrogen and potassium uptake, and total chlorophyll concentration-essential for photosynthesis (Naeem Gillani, et al., 2015). From this we can synthesize how phosphate may play a key role in overall plant growth. Similarly, carbon dioxide is one of the raw materials needed for plants to carry out photosynthesis. Thus, a lesser amount of carbon dioxide present would directly negatively affect the plant’s process of synthesizing these raw materials into food. These nutrients mentioned above, and their discussed significance in plant survival, contribute to the reasoning reflected in our hypotheses that these water types will have an effect on overall plant growth. This experiment shows significance as the agriculture industry is one that has always been essential to human livelihood. If we can test and develop the most efficient and safe methods to grow our plants then this industry is subsequently promoted. This experiment allows for small and large scale farmers to obtain knowledge about which waters yield the highest growth rate in plants, which is significant for faster harvesting. Additionally, Miracle Gro is one of the largest brands of lawn products in the world and sells to not only all of North America but Western Europe as well (Writer, 2014). It is easy to buy and use Miracle Gro because it’s popular. However, in this experiment we are able to break down and examine some of the key nutrients, that promote growth, in Miracle Gro as well as tap, rain, and fish water. This is significant as it could lead to even more effective plant products being produced based on nutrients that are found in already existing ones. Materials To conduct this lab, four radish seeds (one per plastic pot) were used, as well as four plastic pots to place the seeds into. The lab also requires sterilized soil, a greenhouse with natural sunlight, wooden popsicle sticks, a ruler, measuring cup, and four different water types to function as independent variables. The sterilized soil was uniform across each pot, and was kept consistent to maximize germination; the greenhouse provided each plant with roughly 12 hours of natural sunlight per day for photosynthetic purposes; popsicle sticks were utilized to label each pot; the ruler functioned as a guideline to measure root and stem growth with; and the measuring cup allowed for equal amounts of water and soil to be dispersed per pot. The different water types utilized were as follows; Rain Water at a pH of 4.5, Fish Water at a pH of 7.0, Miracle-Gro at a pH of 7.0, and Tap water at a pH of 8.0. Methods To begin the experiment, one radish seeds was placed in each of the four plastic pots. Then, four ounces of sterilized soil were placed within each pot. The pots were then labelled, with popsicle sticks, according to which type of water would be used to hydrate the plant. Then, two ounces of the assigned water type were dispensed into the labelled pots. Next, the four pots were placed in a square configuration next to each other on the wooden shelf of the greenhouse, in an area of optimal sunlight. The plants received roughly about 12 hours of sunlight, per day From there, the plants were watered, with their assigned water type, twice a week, and measured for plant growth on the same occasion. To measure plant germination, the stem and root of each seed was compared to a ruler, and the numerical value of each structure, in centimeters, was recorded in Table 2. The final, culminating, measurement used to configure the graph in Table 2 was measured at the termination of the two week experimental period. Data Data Table 1: Nutrients and pH level of the Water Types Ammonia Chloride Rain Water Fish Water Miracle-Gro Tap Water 3 ppm 0 ppm 7 ppm* 0 ppm 44 ppm 68 ppm 80 ppm* 56 Carbon dioxide 13 ppm 6 ppm 27-28 ppm* 25-30 ppm* Nitrate .44 ppm 1.1 ppm* .44 ppm .44 ppm Phosphate .1 ppm .1 ppm .8-1 ppm * .1 ppm pH 4.5 7 7 8.0* Sulfide 0 0 .1* 0 Data Table 2: Lengths of Roots and Stems of Four Different Water Types Data Table 1: This table presents data exhibiting the amounts of various nutrients within the various water types used in the experiment. It should be noted that the figures accompanied with an asterisks represented the highest figure for that particular nutrient or pH level within the various water types. Furthermore, the bolded figures vary from the figures belonging to different waters for the same nutrient or pH level. This table shows that rainwater has a slightly acidic pH of 4.5, fish water and miracle grow soil had a neutral pH, and tap water had a slightly basic pH of 8. Ammonia was present in both rainwater and miracle grow, but was more present in miracle grow. Chloride was present most in miracle-gro. Carbon dioxide was present in almost equal amounts within tap water and miracle grow. Phosphate was present most in miracle-gro. Nitrate was present at low amounts in most water types except for miracle grow. Finally, sulfide was only present in miracle grow. From this data it is shown that miracle gro had both a neutral pH and the most nutrients within its soil. Data Table 2: This table shows the root and stem length (in centimeters) in relation to the water type. The average roots lengths and stem lengths from the 5 plants samples were used to create the graphs. The paired graph shows that miracle-gro resulted in the greatest root length and the greatest stem length. The root and stem length of plants grown with rain water are comparable to that of miracle growth, though they remain smaller. Tap water had an almost equal stem length with rain water, but its root length varied by one centimeter. Finally, fish water produced the lowest values for both root and stem length. Based upon the data presented in Table 2 it is shown that miracle gro water, in comparison with rain water, fish water, and tap water, will produces stems and roots with the longest lengths. Discussion/Conclusion In this lab, four radishes were grown within soils watered by four varying kinds of water. The water types included: fish tank water, tap water, miracle-gro, and rainwater. The experimental design required each plant to be grown in 4 ounces of soil. The plants were watered every three days with 2 ounces of the varying water types. Furthermore, the plants were watered 2 times per week. Our null hypothesis stated that the radish plants show no difference in growth when watered with varying water types (ie. rain water, fish water, miracle-gro, or tap water). This null hypothesis was rejected. The data showed that miracle gro produced the longest root and stem length in competition with the same plant type, the same soil type, and varying water types. If further experiments were done to retest the hypothesis, various modifications would be implemented. All modifications revolve around differing the amounts of soil, water, and light allowed to each plant to provide different, quantifiable data. A possible confounding factor affecting this experiment was the uneven distribution of light among the four plants. This could have negatively impacted growth rates and results from spatial differences between the placement of each pot, and the duration of sunlight hitting each centimeter of the greenhouse. The significant effects of this confounding variable is seen within The Effects of Acclimation to Sunlight on Xylem Vulnerability, H. Cochard, D. Lemoine, and E. Dreyerm. This journal reiterated the effects of light distribution by growing plants with complex vascular systems, testing the effects of sunlight on the ability of xylem to function. It was proven that the more sunlight the plant was exposed to, the higher its leaf mass per unit area. This research relates to this experiment because any experiment involving plant growth relies on sunlight and photosynthesis to produce proficient data. Another confounding variable affecting our experiment could be the presence of unwanted microorganisms in some unfiltered water types. For example, impure water sources (fishwater, tap water) contain remnants of microorganisms that create competition for plant resources and create a symbiotic or parasitic relationship with the plant. In Seasonal Timing of Root Growth in Favorable Sites, David Eissenstat and Martyn M. Cadwell research the effects microbiomes have on root growth. It was found that certain microorganisms increase the growth rates of some plants, while other microorganisms negatively impact growth rate. If this experiment were to be retested, the amount of organisms available in the soil would be properly relegated so that the number of confounding factors could be reduced. If this experiment was to be repeated, it would be necessary to ensure each plant received the same amount of sunlight by placing the pots as close to one central location as possible. It would be ensured that the plants were also watered more frequently, in order to provide more sustenance and promote germination. Finally the amount of soil used and the pot depth would have been altered. By increasing the depth of the pot and amount of soil within it, the root would have more room to grow and flourish. In conclusion, it is important to to test how different variables affect plant growth. Studies done involving the comparison of various water types on plant growth are significant in maintaining an efficient crop system necessary for feeding the world’s population.