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16 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Title |
An investigation into the effects of soil on plant growth rates |
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pH |
The hydrogen ion concentration of a solution from a logarithmic scale of 0-14 conveying how acidic or alkaline the solution is High concentration=lower pH Lower concentration=higher pH |
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Nutrients |
Substances that provide the nourishment necessary for life and growth to be attained and maintained |
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Implications |
Producers relied upon in food chain to convert the suns energy to a useable energy and thus supports ecosystem Plants produce oxygen = pollution |
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History |
Developed 1909 by Dr Siren Sorensen |
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Hypothesis |
The closer the oH is to neutral, the faster the growth rate of the plant will be |
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Independent |
Soil pH |
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Dependent |
Growth rate |
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Controls |
-size of pot -type of soil -amount of seeds -type of seeds -amount of water -pH of water -amount of light |
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Materials |
Eco-flo lime Iron sulfate 2L black pots x9 Distilled water Packet of seeds (min 45 seeds) Richgro Soil Mix Weighing scale Plates Ph kit -pH indicator (l&p), colour chart and test plate |
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Method |
Label pots Fill pots with 1kg soil Make alkaline-eco flo lime Make acidic-iron sulfate Use pH kit to check pH levels as 5 (yellow), 7 (green) and 9 (purple) Smooth over holes Plant seeds in star shape 8cm in and 5cm apart Measure heights and record + Pour 1cup distilled water evenly over each once a day for 3 weeks
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Graph |
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Discussion |
Neutral -higher plants on average -higher plants by end
-line slope -line above Show that soil pH directly affects growth rates and plants grow at a faster rate in neutral |
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Conclusion |
Hypothesis supported Extreme pH levels =stunting growth and degeneration of health (possible death) Due to needing nutrients and minerals to be healthy and grow Plants absorb 14 of 17 essential nutrients through their roots from the soil Acidic and alkaline have nutrient and mineral difficiencies Slower growing in acidic or alkaline than neutral due to: -difficulty absorbing nutrients -nutrients leached from soil faster in acidic + Al dissolved -difficulty maintaining water with soil structure in alkaline -some bacteria functioning better at neutral -affects solubility (nutrients and minerals must be dissolved before absorbed) |
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Errors |
-colours read wrong -Plant height read wrong -diff people so measuring=diff interpretations and watering diff techniques -extra water to make acidic pH -not repeated and no pretest |
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Future Improvements |
-multiple people compare colour and measure height -pH measuring stick so less open to interpretation -lower to acidic with diff substance or add more water to other plants -repeat= less screw up and anomalies with more valid results -conduct pretest= handle on techniques (eg watering) |
