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Number Activity 6.8 (Experiment)

Title Studying the effects of macronutrient deficiency in plants

Aim To study the effects of macronutrient deficiency in plants

Problem Statement What are the effects of macronutrient deficiency in plants?

Hypothesis Plant grows healthily in a complete Knops solution Macronutrient deficiencies affect plant growth and development.

Variables Manipulated variable : Components of minerals in culture solution Responding variable : Growth of the seedling /Condition of the plants Fixed variable : Volume and concentration of solution, size and type of

maize seedlings, amount of air that is pumped into the

jar, amount of sunlight, surrounding temperature

Material Maize seedlings, Potassium nitrate (KNO3), Potassium dihydrogen phosphate(KH2PO4), Magnesium sulphate (MgSO4), Calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2), Ferum(III)

phosphate (FePO4), Cotton wool, Black paper, Distilled water

Apparatus Glass jars, Rubber bungs with holes, Straight glass tubes to fit into the holes of therubber bungs, L-shaped delivery tubes to the connected to a vacuum pump, Knife

Technique used Observe the effects of different deficiencies on young maize seedling. Maize seedling is under identical conditions of light, temperature and moisture.

Procedure 1. Eight glass jars are prepared and labelled A Io H.2. The jars are filled with culture solutions prepared as shown in the Table 6.9.3. Each jar is set up as shown in figure.4. Every jar is wrapped with black paper to prevent light from penetrating into the

culture solution. This is to discourage the growth of green algae which will

deplete the nutrients of the culture solution and affect the results of the

experiment.

5. The culture solution in each jar is aerated using an air pump to ensure that theroots of the seedling obtain oxygen for respiration.

6. All the sets are exposed to light so that the seedling are able to carry outphotosynthesis.

7. The culture solution in each jar is replaced every week to ensure that thenutrients which are supposed to be available are not depleted.

8. Observation is taken after a month. Each seedling is observed and noted for thefollowing aspects:

A. The size, shape, colour and number of leavesB. The height of the seedlingC. The length of roots and the growth of branchesD. The strength of the stem

9. Any other abnormal characteristics shown are noted.

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Results

Conclusion Hypothesis is accepted. Plants will only grow healthily when the contents of the nutrient

components in the gas jar are complete (jar B). If there is a deficiency of a certain

nutrient, the plant will have symptoms that show what is lacking.