Aims: To grow sorghum and mungbeans in pots and undertake an experiment to record how much water the...

Aims:Aims:

To grow sorghum and mungbeans in pots and undertake an experiment to record how much water

the plants use.

To observe growth and germination rates and analyse limiting factors to these observations.

To apply knowledge gained to real life situations and suggest resolutions to future problems.

Hypothesis:Hypothesis:

The germination of the sorghum and mungbeans will occur rapidly due to the small

environment in which they are planted in. Once germinated, the community of plants will have a fast growth rate but will depend on the

limiting factors such as available sunlight, water and disease or pests. In terms of water

usage, the mung bean plant will use more water as it has a greater surface area to

volume ratio.

Prelude:Prelude:

Plants are a vital part in our existence. Plants, along with trees produce breathable oxygen for humans and other species on the planet. Without plants, Carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere would be too high for anything to survive. Unfortunately, the increase in populations around the world has seen an increase in pollution and global warming, upsetting the natural cycle. These upsets create major problems such as disturbances to rain seasons and natural disasters. These problems will continue due to the ever growing populations and the need to expand the human empire. With expansion comes destruction to native forest and land and ofcourse, pollution. Knowing that the past can not be re-written, scientists have researched the effects humans have on plants and more specifically, how much water plants use.

Research into two specific plant species have been conducted. These two species of plants are Sorghum and Mung beans.

OVERVIEW OF PLANTSOVERVIEW OF PLANTS

Leaves

Leaves make all the food for the plant. They do this by changing light, water and gases into food. This process is called photosynthesis.

Stems and branches

Stems and branches hold up the leaves and space the leaves out. This helps the plant to get the light it needs.

Roots

Roots help fix the plant to the soil or to other plants. Roots take in water and nutrients.

Flowers

Flowers contain the male and female parts of the plants. Successful pollination of the flower can result in the production of fruit and seeds.

OVERVIEW OF PLANTSOVERVIEW OF PLANTS

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All leaves are responsible for:

- absorbing the sun's rays

- the majority of photosynthetic production

- taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen and water vapor (breathing)

- removing waste products from the plant

- using osmotic pressure to draw water up from the roots

Parts of a leaf

Tip The terminal point of the leaf

Blade or laminaThe flattened, green, expanded portion of a leaf.

Margin Edge of a leaf.

Midrib The most prominent central vein in a leaf.

Lateral veins Secondary veins in a leaf.

Petiole The leaf stalk (connects blade to stem).

StipulesLeaf-like appendages (at the base of petiole of some leaves).

LEAVE

LEAVE

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All stems are responsible for:

- Supporting leaves and flowers physically

- Holding the leaves and flowers in the best position for food gathering and reproduction

- Using xylem and phloem to transport materials from areas of plenty to areas of need in various parts of the plant

- Storing nutrients for future use Bud An underdeveloped and unelongated stem

Terminal bud A bud at the tip of a stem responsible for terminal growth.

Axillary bud or lateral bud

Buds along side the axis of a stem

Flower budA bud containing a floral meristem which develops into

flowers

Leaf scarA scar marking the former point of attachment of a leaf

or petiole to the stem.

Internodes The part of the stem between nodes

Node Part of stem marking the point of attachment of leaves, flowers, fruits, buds and other stems.

LenticelsRough areas on stems composed of loosely packed cells and serve as "breathing pores" for gas exchange. Only

occur on young stems.

Growth rings Scale scars from the last terminal bud and usually denote one year of growth

STEMSTEM

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Root cap - is a kind of protection the roots end with. It is designed to drill the soil and it is able to guide the root growth by perceiving gravity.

ROOT

ROOT

SSAll roots are responsible for:

- Anchoring the plant to the ground

- Extracting water and minerals from the soil

Primary root - the thickest . It grows downwards.

Secondary roots - arise from the primary root. They are not as thick as the primary one. They go sideward.

Root hairs - are minute filaments roots are covered with. They absorb water and nutrients from the soil.

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PLANT ATTIRBUTES AND FACTORSPLANT ATTIRBUTES AND FACTORS

Plants require minerals and nutrients to survive and in order to acquire these, they use diffusion through their roots and leaves. Diffusion is the process by which substance, or nutrients in this case, travel from an area of high concentration to low concentration across a membrane. The diffusion of water is known as osmosis and is found in plants as they absorb water from the soil. The effectiveness of this process is highly limited by the surface area versus the volume of the organism. If the surface area is large, and the volume small, then the greater opportunity for diffusion to take place. It comes as substances in the soil become absorbed into the roots and travel up the plant in order for it to photosynthesise. Nutrients and water become absorbed into the plant’s fine root hairs as previously mentioned. These fine hairs all add up to create a greater surface area for the plant giving it an optimum chance for survival. If these hairs become

damaged, they do not function properly and limit the intake for the plant. These features along with other processes all control the health and growth of the plant. Transpiration is the process by which gaseous carbon dioxide is taken in by the plant and released as oxygen.

Surface area to volume ratioSurface area to volume ratio

SORGHUM & MUNG SORGHUM & MUNG BEANBEAN

Background Information:Background Information:

Sorghum:

Kingdom: Plantae PlantsSubkingdom: Tracheobionta Vascular plantsSuperdivision: Spermatophyta Seed plantsDivision: Tracheophyta Class: Angiospermae Flowering PlantsSubclass: MonocotyledonsOrder: CyperalesFamily: Poaceae Grass familyGenus: Sorghum Moench Sorghum

Sorghum is a widely cultivated tropical cereal grass. It originated in Africa and in certain environments, can grow up to 3 metres tall. Sorghum is the fifth major cereal crop in the world.

Sorghum has an extensive root system, waxy leaves and has the ability to temporarily stop growing in periods of drought, which means that it is able to withstand very arid conditions.

Sorghum shares similarities with maize, and corn and therefore share physical structures. Its grains have a very similar structure to that of maize, although they are smaller and generally oval in shape. It has a horny and floury endosperm and a large fat-rich germ, but lack a true husk.

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Similar Species Root Similar Species Root SystemSystem

Background Background Information:Information:

Mung Bean:Kingdom: Plantae PlantsSubkingdom: Tracheobionta Vascular plantsSuperdivision: Spermatophyta Seed plantsDivision: Magnoliophyta Flowering plantsClass: Magnoliopsida DicotyledonsSubclass: Rosidae Order: Fabales Family: Fabaceae Pea familyGenus: Vigna Savi CowpeaSpecies: Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek Mung beanVariety: Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek var. radiata Mung bean

The Mung Bean is part of a large family and consists of many different types of beans, legumes and peas. In some cases, it is difficult to classify mung beans as they have striking characteristics similar to the common pea.

There are many different species of mung bean each having a unique flower and can be grown almost anywhere. Because they produce a bean and not a husk like sorghum, it uses more water and nutrients to grow the bean and therefore requires an excessive amount of water.

Because mung beans are part of the legume family, they are vital when it comes to the nitrogen cycle. As they perform nitrification where they shed leaves after converting excess nitrogen into nitrates and nitrites entering the soil through the shed leaves. These nitrates and nitrites then perform their special tasks.

Similar Species Root Similar Species Root SystemSystem

Nitrogen Cycle and Nitrogen Cycle and Plants:Plants:

Animated cycle

The nitrogen cycle represents one of the most important nutrient cycles found in terrestrial ecosystems. Nitrogen is used by living organisms to produce a number of complex organic molecules like amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids. The store of nitrogen found in the atmosphere, where it exists as a gas (mainly N2), plays an important role for life. This store is about one million times larger than the total nitrogen contained in living organisms. Other major stores of nitrogen include organic matter in soil and the oceans. Despite its abundance in the atmosphere, nitrogen is often the most limiting nutrient for plant growth. This problem occurs because most plants can only take up nitrogen in two solid forms: ammonium ion (NH4+ ) and the ion nitrate (NO3- ). Most plants obtain the nitrogen they need as inorganic nitrate from the soil. Ammonium is used less by plants for uptake because in large concentrations it is extremely toxic. Animals receive the required nitrogen they need for metabolism, growth, and reproduction by the consumption of living or dead organic matter containing molecules composed partially of nitrogen.

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Pathway of Nitrogen:Pathway of Nitrogen:

Photosynthesis:Photosynthesis:

Photosynthesis is an important biochemical process in which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert the energy of sunlight to chemical energy. The chemical energy is used to drive synthetic reactions such as the formation of sugars or the fixation of nitrogen into amino acids, the building blocks for protein synthesis. Ultimately, nearly all living things depend on energy produced from photosynthesis for their nourishment, making it vital to life on Earth. It is also responsible for producing the oxygen that makes up a large portion of the Earth's atmosphere. Organisms that produce energy through photosynthesis are called photoautotrophs. Plants are the most visible representatives of photoautotrophs, but it should be emphasized that bacteria and algae also contribute to the conversion of free energy into usable energy.



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PHOTOSYNTHESI

PHOTOSYNTHESI

SS

6H2O + 6CO2 --> C6H12O6+ 6O2

WATER (HWATER (H220)0)CARBON DIOXIDE CARBON DIOXIDE (CO (CO22))

SUCROSE SUCROSE (C(C66HH12120066))

OXYGEN (OOXYGEN (O22))

Materials:Materials:

Free planting kits provided by DPI&F Hermitage Research Station:

• 1 x packet of sorghum seed.• 1 x packet of mung bean seed.• Reference material.

Own Choice Items:

• 8 x empty plastic 2.4 ‘Berri’ juice containers or 3 litre ‘golden circle’ juice containers or 3 litre milk containers (with caps). Note: Please don’t use containers with long necks as they will not stand up properly for theexperiment.

• Extra empty plastic containers (as above) if adding extra garden plants for a• comparison. (not compulsory).• A set of scales (that give readings in grams would be ideal).• 500ml or 1 litre measuring jug.• A small funnel to water the pots through a small opening.• Scissors/knife for cutting containers.• Small amount of newspaper.• Soil from your school garden/paddock.• Masking tape and permanent marker to label containers.• Plastic shopping bags to cut up and cover your containers when required

Procedure: Procedure:

Preparing pots for planting:

1. Mark each container 12 cm from bottom and continue all around the container.

2. Cut all 8 containers at this 12 cm mark (keep tidy and neat)

3. Place the top half of the container inside the bottom half.

4. Make some holes in the bottom half of the containers so any excess water can drain through.

5. In each of the 8 containers, place a small ball of scrunched newspaper at the opening of the container so the soil won’t fall out.

6. Fill the 8 containers evenly with good paddock/garden soil (until there is about 4cms left to the top of the container).

7. Water each container until soil is saturated (note this will vary depending on soil quality or type)

1. Draw a circle into the soil of each container about 2 cm in from the outside of the containers.

2. Evenly spread 6 sorghum seeds around this circle in four of the containers and cover them with around 2cm of soil

3. Label these four containers “sorghum 1 - 4”.

4. Repeat this process with the mung beans.

There should now be eight labelled containers:

Sorghum 1Sorghum 2Sorghum 3Sorghum 4Mung bean 1Mung bean 2Mung bean 3Mung bean 4

5. Place pots somewhere warm (preferably outside in a sunny spot, protected from wind with some shelter from rain if possible, but not in the shade). Plants will grow best in full sun, but you can grow them in a greenhouse if need be.

6. Note germination rates and record any irregularities.

Procedure: Procedure: Planting::

The Experiment:

1. Once all the plants have grown for about 3 weeks, you need to pull some plants out until you are left with 1 healthy plant per container.

2. On the same day you thin the plants back to one per container, water each container to full capacity until the soil is fully wet and water begins seeping through the bottom of the containers. Do not water for 24 hours.

3. Once 24 hours have passed, carefully remove the top half of the containers from their bases and screw on the lids. Sit the top halves back into the bottom halves of the juice containers.

4. Seal the top of the container to make sure no water is being evaporated from the soil surface.

5. Cut the plastic shopping bags into two square pieces that will fit over your container and place them side by side over the containers, just leaving a very small gap for the stem of the plant to poke through.

6. Weigh each pot and record the weight (this is the starting weight).

7. Leave the plants for one week and observe plant growth

8. In a week’s time weigh each plant again and record the new weight in your journal. Work out the difference in weight from the starting weight.

9. Leave the plant sit for another week and observe plant growth.


Plant Pressing:

1. After the plants have grown for about 6-10 weeks, remove plants and washed off any excess soil left on the roots.

2. Weigh the plants making sure that none of the roots were damaged or taken off. This will be the wet weight.

3. Once all weighed, place each individual plant between roughly three sheet of newspaper and place heavy weight on it.

4. Let stand for two days.

5. If paper is wet, change paper.

6. After a week, weigh the plants again. This will be the dry weight.

7. Observe the differences.


LOG BOOK & RESULTSLOG BOOK & RESULTS

Day / Date

Procedure Observations / Results

1

1. Added soil into 3 L juice containers that have been cut in half.

2. Added soil at a mixture ratio of 1:1 soil to potting mix.

3. Weighed container for constant.

4. Saturated the soil. ≈ 250 ml

5. Planted seeds as per instructions

Mass of container with soil was 992 grams.

Analysis

Day / Date


206.03.06

1. Observed growth Germination of each container:

Mung bean 1: 5 out of 6 sproutedMung bean 2: 2 out of 6 sproutedMung bean 3: 4 out of 6 sproutedMung bean 4: 5 out of 6 sprouted

Sorghum 1: 2 out of 6 sproutedSorghum 2: 3 out of 6 sproutedSorghum 3: 3 out of 6 sproutedSorghum 4: 6 out of 6 sprouted

Analysis

Both types of plants have had, on average, a rapid rate of germination with only a few yet to germinate and produce sprouts. The mung beans are visibly larger than the sorghum.

Day / Date


309.03.06

1. Observed growth Germination of each container:

Mung bean 1: 5 out of 6 sproutedMung bean 2: 4 out of 6 sproutedMung bean 3: 6 out of 6 sproutedMung bean 4: 5 out of 6 sprouted

Sorghum 1: 2 out of 6 sproutedSorghum 2: 5 out of 6 sproutedSorghum 3: 4 out of 6 sproutedSorghum 4: 6 out of 6 sprouted

Height of mung beans: 15 – 19 cm with 2 leaves presentHeight of sorghum: 10 – 13.5 cm with 2 leaves present

Analysis

Day / Date


411.03.06

1. Added 100 ml of water to each container.

2. Measured run off in bottom of containers.

Run off:

Mung bean 1: 33mlMung bean 2: 25 ml Mung bean 3: 24 mlMung bean 4: 38 ml

Sorghum 1: 45 mlSorghum 2: 70 mlSorghum 3: 36 mlSorghum 4: 40 ml

Analysis

The mung beans seem to be growing at a steady rate but without any stem support, continue to crease and damage from falling onto edge of containers. On average, it seems that sorghum are using less water and letting more flow through to the catchment .

Day / Date


517.03.06


2. Moved all of them to the greenhouse.

The greenhouse is a safe environment for the plants.

Analysis

The move to the greenhouse is mainly due to the lack of sunshine the plants received inside the classroom. When culling begins, stems will be added. Stem supports will provide stability and hopefully provide enough support in order for them to grow to good health.

Day / Date


620.03.06


Germinations:

Mung bean 1: 6 out of 6 sprouted

Analysis

The greenhouse is proving to be the correct place for the plants to be. Another germination in M1 shows that the greenhouse is having an effect on the plants. It seems to be the most suited environment for the plants but rainfall and insects could alter our outcome.

Day / Date


722.03.06

1. Took out all plants except for the healthiest one (1).

2. Placed plastic covers on each container.

3. Added stakes for stem supports.

The sorghum have grown secondary roots (adventitious roots).

Analysis

We kept the strongest plant by factors of leave numbers, the overall size of the plant and how thick the stem was. This was the case for all except in M1 (mung bean 1) as it had a late germination but was large for its age. We will test the affect of having a full container to grow has on the plant.

Day / Date


823.03.06

1. Measured heights of plants.

2. No water added.

50 ml of rain overnight.Height of mung beans: M1: 14 cmM2: 25 cmM3: 25 cmM4: 27 cmHeight of sorghum:S1: 28 cm S2: 25 cmS3: 21.5 cmS4: 27 cm

Analysis

The plants are growing at a steady rate. The rainfall overnight left us with no need to water the plants in fear of the occurrence of root rot.

Day / Date


927.03.06


No visible results.No run off.Plants are growing.

Analysis

No change to the experiment has occurred except for the heights of the plants.

Day / Date


1028.03.06



3. Measured heights.

Run off and heights:

M1: 27 cm r/o 18 mlM2: 25 cm r/o 32 mlM3: 25 cm r/o 7.5 mlM4: 16 cm r/o 1 ml

S1: 27 cm r/o 25 mlS2: 27 cm r/o 29 mlS3: 14 cm r/o 11 mlS4: 25 cm r/o 37 ml

Average: Mung bean: 23.25 cm r/o 16.63 mlSorghum: 23.25 cm r/o 25.5 ml

Third set of leaves appear on mung beans

Analysis

Plants are growing well. The 50 ml water additions every two to three days seem to be the right amount needed by the plants. After calculating the average heights and run offs, it is clear that the mung bean uses more water.

Day / Date


1129.03.06


Soil is more damp with covers. The damaged mung bean plants are now healed back to health.

Analysis

Stem supports were successful. Only 20 ml was added due to saturated soil.

Day / Date


1231.03.06


Run off:Mung bean 1: 3mlMung bean 2: 1 ml Mung bean 3: 0 mlMung bean 4: 0 ml

Sorghum 1: 0 mlSorghum 2: 7.5 mlSorghum 3: 8 mlSorghum 4: 1 ml

Ants in and around containers. Nest inside S4.

Analysis

Having little run off is a good indication of how much water is used by the plants and therefore with the new set o results, the mung beans again use the most water. The ants have nested within the container in S4 and we had to use ant killer to control the situation.

Day / Date


1306.04.06


Run off and heights:

M1: 28.5 cm r/o 150 ml M2: 29.5 cm r/o 160 ml M3: 30 cm r/o 135 mlM4: 22 cm r/o 120 ml

S1: 41 cm r/o 130 mlS2: 36 cm r/o 120 mlS3: 44 cm r/o 145 mlS4: 33 cm r/o 190 ml

Analysis

Due to heavy rainfall previous night, run off is a large amount. The plants are growing steadily with the sorghum the tallest. The mung beans have grown three sets of large leaves.

Day / Date


1. Added 50 ml of water to each container every two to three days

Mung bean died.

Mung beans are starting to show signs of loopers.

Analysis

No measurements were taken but water was given on regular intervals.

HO

LID

AY

PER

IOD

HO

LID

AY

PER

IOD

Day / Date


1403.05.06


Heights:M1: DeadM2: 30 cmM3: 35 cmM4: 12 cm

S1: 60 cmS2: 57 cmS3: 62 cmS4: 47 cm

Mung beans are showing signs of loopers with all o them now starting to be eaten away form the inside out.

Analysis

The sorghum are growing well but the mung beans are close to dying.

Day / Date


1509.05.06

1. Removed plants form containers.

2. Washed roots carefully without breaking any roots off.

3. Weighed wet weights of each plant

4. Placed between sheets of papers for pressing.

Wet Weight:

M1: N/AM2: 4.4 gramsM3: 6.16 gramsM4: N/A

S1: 23.4 gramsS2: 19 gramsS3: 29 gramsS4: 14.88 grams

Analysis

Drying the plants will indicate how much matter is within the actual plant when the water is dried off.

Day / Date


1610.05.06

1. Performed chlorophyll extraction experiment.

Analysis

The experiment will stand over night and the results will show the different chlorophylls within different plants.

Day / Date


1712.05.06

1. Observed chlorophyll experiment.

2. Removed plants from pressing to weigh.

3. Weighed dried plants.

4. Measured whole plants.

5. Compared sizes.

Dry Weights:

M1: N/AM2: 1.33 gramsM3: 2.00 gramsM4: N/A

S1: 7.00 gramsS2: 7.5 gramsS3: 10.6 gramsS4: 3.48 grams

Analysis

The chlorophyll experiment showed a range of different colours. The dry weights were considerably less than the wet weights.

ANALYSIS OF RESULTSANALYSIS OF RESULTS

SORGHUM ANALYSIS:SORGHUM ANALYSIS:

Growth Rate (Sorghum)

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Watering Rates (M & S)

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Run Off Water (Sorghum)

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Water Absorption (Sorghum)

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Growth Rate (Sorghum)

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Water Absorption (M & S)

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Run Off Water (Sorghum)

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This graph clearly shows the growth rates of the sorghum in the experiment. It shows that during the first few days, the growth rate was steady but fluctuated a little from there onwards indicating watering patterns and a change in environment. Possibly, this rise and fall could have been triggered by the move from the classroom to the greenhouse.

The graph shows the water input of both plants and illustrates that both received the same amount throughout the experiment. This graph does not account for rainfall.

This graph shows the water run off in the bottom of the containers. It is evident that when comparing the input from the output, one can see that when the water is added, roughly around the same time, water seeps through into the run off section of the containers.

Click on pictures

Click on pictures

Click on pictures

Growth Rate (Mung Bean)

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MUNG BEAN ANALYSIS:MUNG BEAN ANALYSIS:

Watering Rates (M & S)

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Run Off Water (Mung Bean)

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Water Absorption (Mung Bean)

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Growth Rate (Mung Bean)

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Water Absorption (M & S)

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This graph clearly shows the growth rates of the sorghum in the experiment. It shows that during the first few days, the growth rate was steady but fluctuated a little from there onwards indicating watering patterns and a change in environment. Possibly, this rise and fall could have been triggered by the move from the classroom to the greenhouse.

The graph shows the water input of both plants and illustrates that both received the same amount throughout the experiment. This graph does not account for rainfall.

This graph shows the water run off in the bottom of the containers. It is evident that when comparing the input from the output, one can see that when the water is added, roughly around the same time, water seeps through into the run off section of the containers.

Run Off Water (Mung Bean)

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Click on pictures

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EXTENDED ANALYSIS:EXTENDED ANALYSIS:

Both plants proved to be good test subjects and provided substantial data for analysis. Comparing the mung bean to the sorghum will provide information that will ultimately answer the topic question. The comparison shows that both plants have distinct water absorption patterns but the most obvious

similarity exits where the plants receive water. When the plants are watered, they absorb the needed amount of water and the rest pass through the soil and into the run off in the bottom of the container. This is illustrated in the Run Off graph. The absorption was documented in the Absorption graph.

The growth rates of both plants were strikingly high given the small environment they are planted in. Overall, the sorghum grew to the greatest

height and with no deaths. The mung beans grew well up until the stage where they produced beans but then was subject to loopers. They died

shortly after being exposed. Their growth comparisons were documented in the Growth Rate graph.

DRIED PLANT DRIED PLANT PHOTOGRAPHSPHOTOGRAPHS

This experiment proved to be a success. The aims that were set, were achieved and the hypothesis, proven. Although some plants died throughout the experiment, enough data was collected to comment on trends and future issues. Among the plants only two mung beans died before the pressing stages as they were exposed to cabbage loopers.

After analysing the data, trends associated with water usage and absorption became visibly evident. These trends highlighted that after watering the plants, the expected amount needed, a high volume ran straight through the soil. This could have been prevented with a better soil quality or the introduction of more clay. Another evident trend was that related to the growth rates. The growth of each plant was dependant of the water and available sunlight. The data graphs show that when watering the plants a very high volume of water in a short space of time, they grew at a slower rate compared to when watering them at a constant rate with less water. This information could be used in the agricultural field and applied to situations where water is scarce.

The environment that the plants were placed in also contributed to some limiting factors. These factors included, wind, rain, sunlight, temperature and pests. The rainfall was overcome by the covers placed on the plant containers. The temperature did not really effect the experiment as both plants could survive in climatic extremes. The sunlight was the most important attribute along with water and was plentiful after placing each plant inside the greenhouse. The wind was also overcome by providing shelter around the area and supports for each plant helped sustain their strength in the stems.

Discussion: Discussion:

The main limiting factor was introduced when the plants were placed in the

greenhouse and was the cabbage loopers. It affected the mung beans by slowly engulfing the leaves damaging the

photosynthesizing cells, leaving the plant with no way of obtaining vital sunlight and ultimately starving the plant of nutrients.


This experiment could be improved by incorporating more plants in order to gather a wider range of data and information. Also, a better design or equipment could be used to improve the effectiveness and could come in the form of larger bottles for an increase in root space or normal pots having catchment devices on the bottom. Another way is including controls like empty containers containing just soil which could measure water retention. This could be extended by introducing other species of plants as comparisons.


The obtained results and gathered information could be adapted to relate to real life situations in the agricultural world. Countries having upset rain season or little rainfall could benefit from these results as they are a clear indication of watering trends.

Farmers could use watering techniques similar to the experiment or in other words, water smaller volumes on a regular basis. This would in turn increase the annual yield. In countries affected by drought, these watering principles would decrease water usage and evaporation into the air. Studying farmers’ watering techniques show that the preferred method is using the large spray guns to target a large ground surface. This in fact is proven to be ineffective with major water loss to the atmosphere due to evaporation. This water process does not happen on a regular basis and therefore the farmers tend to water for very long periods of time to make up for the dry time between watering spells, in turn, evaporating more water and not providing the most sufficient or economical way.

Therefore, having watering patterns consistent with the experiment would prove to generate the most economical, effective and sufficient outcome.

Questions: Questions:

1. How much water did the sorghum use?

The sorghum used approximately 47 ml of water a day when working out the averages and adding them all up. Overall, for the whole experiment, the sorghum used or absorbed 2610.5 ml of water. (excluding run off)

2. How much water did the mung beans use?

The mung beans used approximately 49 ml of water a day when not considering the run off and working out the average and adding them up. Overall, for the whole experiment, the mung beans used or absorbed 2737.5 ml of water (excluding run off)

3. How much water did the sorghum use in relation to their dry weight?

Sorghum’s dry weight on average was 7.15 grams and when the wet weight is compared it shows that the plants, over the whole experiment used 14.43 grams of water after everything has been evaporated off or used to keep the plant growing. In other words, the wet weight minus the dry weight gives the amount of water that was inside the plant and therefore gives an indication of how much water was actually used.

4. How much water did the mung beans use in relation to their dry weight?

The mung beans’ dry weights on average were 1.6 grams and when the wet weight is compared it shows that the plants, over the whole experiment used 3.6 grams of water after everything has been evaporated off or used to keep the plant growing. In other words, the wet weight minus the dry weight gives the amount of water that was inside the plant and therefore gives an indication of how much water was actually used.


5. Do you think some plants are more efficient than others? Why?

It is obvious that some plants use and need more water to survive than others. This could be purely due to its size or location. More in depth reasoning could indicate that some plants store water more efficiently and transpire under enhanced microclimates due to having fine hairs on the leaves creating such a climate. The plant’s surface area compared to its volume is also a key factor as the greater the surface area, the more water it will absorb. Therefore, plants like mung beans and sorghum would be more efficient then a rose bush as roses produced flowers needing more water in order to produce such a flower.

6. Is too much or too little water a problem to some plants?

Too much water could cause serious problems for plants especially when the soil is a clay loom where the water gets trapped close to the plant roots and become rotten. Damage to the roots mean no water or nutrient intake leaving the plant to die. Too little water is an obvious problem for all plants as water is one of the most important elements needed to survive. Not enough water makes the plant search for more water with its roots and in turn using more nutrients to produce those roots ultimately leading to death due to lack of nutrients and water.

7. How do plants use water?

A plant requires water as an essential ingredient of photolysis, the photochemical stage of photosynthesis where water is split using light energy. This is the part of the process in which a plant obtains its' energy, and thus illustrates the importance of water to a plant. Plants obtain water through their roots. In a root the vascular tissue is located in the middle. Water passes from the epidermis to the middle. There are two pathways by which this can happen, via the cell walls (apoplastic) or through the cytoplasm (symplastic). The water gets transported via the xylem up the stem of the plant due to capillary action.


8. Does the weather have an impact on how much water the plants use?

The weather determines rainfall and temperature. Based on obtained results, the weather does affect the water usage of plants. Higher temperatures means more evaporation into the atmosphere therefore more transpiration takes place. If the weather was cooler and overcast, less evaporation will occur compared to a hot sunny day where a lot will take place due to the available sunlight.

9. Can we adapt our gardens or crops to cop with our extreme weather conditions?

With modern technology almost anything is possible and therefore with more research into the topic of plants and their water usage a solution will derive. At present, the only thing able to be done would be to have watering patterns that best suit each plant variety and use fertilizers to enhance their quality but also to build up some strength in order to battle arid conditions.

CASE STUDY (Years 8 – 12)

Many wheat farmers like Mr Stevens are struggling to find the right balance between rain and drought in order to yield a good a good crop. Unfortunately the weather cannot be altered and therefore solutions for Mr Stevens and many others come in the form of suitable shelters, watering patterns, incorporating different varieties of crops, or spend money on different farming aspects in order to cope in the future. Shelter form the rain seems to be the easiest fixed problem but will come at a price. Distinct watering patterns and following the bureau would help the seasons of drought but not for the rainy seasons. There in lies why shelters would be successful. Incorporating different crops would prove expensive but if one were to keep the ordinary wheat but also farm sorghum fields as they love water, they can temporarily stop to grow and they produce edible grains or could be made to live stock feed which one could sell. Introducing a crop such as sorghum would be the best idea if one were to maintain a healthy income in order for expenditure into the future.

Bibliography: Bibliography: Documents on the World Wide Web:

1. www.google.com (image search: plants, plant physiology, photosynthesis, roots, root hairs, transpiration, stems, osmosis, sorghum, mung beans. Nitrogen cycle, cabbage looper)

2. www.caribbeanedu.com/kewl/science/science04d.asp

3. www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/9s.htm

Homework Helper CD

Acknowledgements:

Mr. Nick Johnstone (monitoring draft copy)

Ben Rackermann, Ryan Droney (group members)

Aims: To grow sorghum and mungbeans in pots and undertake an experiment to record how much water the...

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