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Effects of composted soil on vegetable growth

Project by group mdcsahafall2020


Info

Explore I am exploring the growth of vegetable plants in different kinds of soils.
Research Question How does plant growth response to different types of soils- organic compost and soils from limestone like Florida soils. (radish, nasturtiums, and peppers)
Predictions Based on the variables that we are working with, the plants in composted soil will most likely grow taller and produce a more abundant number of leaves and fruits. Good, nutritious soil is the basis of how effective any plant will germinate. Due to the consistency of Florida's "soil," which is...
Experimental Design Nasturtium project- I have six pots, they are slightly different sizes, hope that is ok. And I filled them with compost dirt and with soil and put three seeds in each, not much is happening though. For my project, I have two pots with the soils provided, the Florida soil and the compost. They...
Conclusion What claim can we make from our experiment? What are possible explanations for our results? How do the data we collected and our reasoning with scientific ideas support our claim? What future experiments could be done to expand on the results of this experiment?
About this Project

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PlantingScience Staff
said

Farewell and Best Wishes

As this research project is now in the final stages of wrapping-up, we wish to thank everyone who participated in this inquiry; the students, mentors, teachers and others behind the scenes. We appreciate all of your efforts and contributions to this online learning community.

Scientific exploration is a process of discovery that can be fun! There are many unanswered questions about plants just waiting for new scientists to consider, investigate, and share.

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Muhammad Sohail Akram
said

Hi all, I hope you are proceeding well with your experiment. Please let me know if you have any question/s.

Julie Fowler
said

Hi all!

How is the project going?

Julie

PlantingScience Staff
said

Looks like you are in the final stages of your projects.

It’s great to see that teams from your school are wrapping up and posting conclusions. Enjoy the final stages of your project, and feel free to post any final comments or questions you have for your mentors.

Unfortunately, this session, we have a hard deadline of November 20, 2020, for final posts to be added, so please be sure to thank your fellow teammates soon!

Muhammad Sohail Akram
said

good update! 

Kiara
said

My mustard plants did not do well, so I have only one species.

Kiara
said
1-Oct Height Composted soil  Regular soil # Leaves Composted soil  Regular soil
Before Radish 1 15 12   4 3
  Radish 2 10 12   4 4
  Radish 3 12 15   6 5
  Radish 4 10 11   4 6
  Radish 5 14 15   6 6
             
  Height Composted soil  Regular soil # Leaves Composted soil  Regular soil
30-Oct Radish 1 18 13   4 3
  Radish 2 14 14   5 4
  Radish 3 13 17   6 5
  Radish 4 16 11   6 6
  Radish 5 18 15   6 6
Kiara
said

I am studying if the soil type has impact on plant growth. I measure the height of the leaf (the one that is tallest) and number of leaves. Based on your comments I see that I should have a table. Here are my data. I am going to talk with my professor and know how to present these data. Thanks for your suggestions. Composting is a big movement I must say here, so I am curious.

 

Muhammad Sohail Akram
said

Diana, very detailed information. Good.

It seems that both pepper and radish plants had better germination in Florida soil compared to compost. Moreover, both the species (under consideration) showed higher stem height (though it may not be a good trait as we need to record other measurements, as well, to reach a conclusion).

As per your later observations, pepper and radish plants survived better and showed healthy vigor in compost. Now, can you please make a table/excel sheet of your observations/recordings. And good, if supported by actual plant pictures.

Excellent!! 

Diana
said

Today, I observed the plants closely since it will mark the two weeks of germination. From what I had observed in the first week, the plant species in both soils appeared relatively healthy. As I mentioned in the Experimental Design, I have been watering each side with one cup of water and took advantage of these rainy days, as well. At 8:00 a.m. I take out the plants to gain sunlight and bring back into the terrace at 11:00 am,  so the harsh sun during mid-day does not affect them; they still receive light, but not directly. On the first days, there were no changes, however, by the fourth day, I noticed the growth spurt of the radish and pepper in the pot with the Florida soil, and still no much change in the compost.

The height of the stem of the pepper plant in the Florida soil was 5.78 inches and 4.86 inches in the compost by the end of the first week. For the height radish of the in the Florida soil, it was 2.64 inches and 1.39 inches in the compost. As of today (week 2), the height of the pepper in the Florida soil is 7.56 inches and 6.74 inches in the compost. The height of the radish is 4.52 inches in the Florida soil and 3.47 inches in the compost. 

I also measured the number of leaves for both species as well as analyze the complexity. It was surprising to see how the pepper plant in the Florida soil has deterred in just two days from when last watered and analyzed. The leaves seem to have a yellow color, and some are even broken. However, in the middle part of the stem, we can observe 7 small leaves growing. As for the radish plant in this soil, they have deteriorated. The pepper has 12 in the Florida soil, and as for the radish, it has 3. 

The pepper plant in the compost soil has remained consistent in complexity/health, except for two leaves. However, the plant does look healthier than in the Florida soil compared to 2 days ago when watered. From the upper part of the stem, we can observe 5 small leaves growing as well. As for the radish plant in this soil, it has shown a great process in its growth. Last week on Thursday it was very small, however, it is growing very sturdy and healthy. The pepper has 11 leaves, and the radish has 3 leaves and 2 on another seed.

During the weekend, the sunlight barely reached my yard, so I think that could have affected them, as well as the heavy rain since there is an opening where water filters into the terrace. I think this could be a reason for the changes in the pot of Florida soil and compost?

Diana
updated the project info
Muhammad Sohail Akram
said

Hi, please update me if I miss something. Yes, plants do show variable response depending on soil type/ properties. Soil properties are critical for germination and plant growth as well as development. As you are measuring plant height. Can you please tell me how many plants you have for each treatment/variable? what other plant parameters will you consider to assess effect of soil type/properties.? Did you analyze soil (pH etc)? 

    Diana
    said

    Hi! Yes, in my case, I have three plant species in both the Florida soil and compost. I have pepper, radish, and nasturtiums. The other plant parameters I am considering are, and please do correct me if I am wrong because I am not sure if I understood, the number of leaves and the number of branches. Or do you mean, the amount of sunlight and water?

    I have yet to analyze the soil's pH, how would it be best to do so? With a meter?

Diana
updated the project info
Diana
updated the project info
SONALI SAHA
said

The students are measuring height, I will ask the students to update their plant growth data.

 

Kiara
said

I am working with Nasturtiums, and wanted to see them grow in two soils, but they did not germinate. So I may have to change my species and use other seeds, or may be I just work with which soil has nicer germiniation?

    Julie Fowler
    said

    Hi Kiara!

    I am the liaison for your group, so I'll just step in and see if I can help while Dr. Akram is away. A quick Google seems to suggest that Nasturtiums may take 10-12 days to germinate! How long have you been waiting so far?

    I read through your experiment methodology and I think this is a good study! Compost is a huge focus right now in agriculture and so many people are composting at home that this seems like a solid question to ask. So, to see that I understand, you have 6 pots and you are filling 3 with compost and 3 with soil from near where you are in Florida, or you are filling 2 with compost, 2 with the Florida soil, and 2 with something else, perhaps the Florida soil amended with the compost?

    What will you be measuring to tell whether or not the type of soil/compost has affected the growth of the Nasturtiums? Height?

    Thanks!

    Julie

Kiara
said

How does plant growth respond to different types of soils- organic compost and soils from limestone like Florida soils. (radish, nasturtiums, and peppers)

 

Kiara
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Diana
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ssaha2020 ps708354
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