Background
The growth rates of plants are commonly known to be dependent on fundamental factors such as soil, sunlight, temperature, and water. Studies have been performed in the past to determine how different factors, such as soil water potential, have affected the growth rates of plants (Kang and Wan, 2005). Although Kang and Wan have found that soil water potential treatments do not significantly affect the growth or developments of radish seeds, the question remains as to how modified types of water affect such plants. The salinity of water is one major factor that has been found to affect the nutrient intake of radish seeds (Van Hooijdonk, 1999). With moderate salinity levels, nutrient intake can be increased while instigating plant growth. Carbon dioxide also plays an important role for plant development. A study on tomatoes has shown that irrigated carbonated water has achieved greater yields (Novero et al., 1991). Because radishes require very few resources and time to grow, they serve as excellent subjects to test how different water types can affect their germinations.
Research Question
How do different water types affect radish seed germination?
Hypothesis
We predict that carbonated water will have the greatest positive effect on the germination rates of the radish seeds. This is due to the fact that common ingredients in carbonated water include minerals such as potassium sulphate and sodium bicarbonate. Most importantly, carbon dioxide has been added to the water, which is essential for plant growth.
Method
Our method revolves around the following materials:
- Radish seeds
- Paper towels
- Distilled water
- Tap water
- Salt water
- Carbonated water
- Mineral water
The radish seeds will be divided into 5 groups of 10 seeds each, to test the different water types we will be using: distilled, tap, salt, carbonated, and mineral. To begin, distilled water will be used as the control group. 10 radish seeds will be spread out on a flat paper towel. Afterwards, the paper towel will be watered with distilled water until completely soaked. The seeds will be left alone and watered every 2 days.
This process will be repeated for each of the other groups, watering the paper towels with their respective water types, for the next 2 weeks. Each of the groups will be placed on the window sill of a room in The Towers to allow the seeds to grow with sunlight. After 2 weeks, the effect of each water type on the seeds will be determined by the measurements in length of their germinated roots.
Proposed Stats Analysis
Using the average lengths of the seeds’ roots for each respective group, the data will be analyzed using an ANOVA. If there is a significant statistical difference present within the data, t-tests will be performed to compare every group with one another to determine which group or groups have had the greatest effects on the germination rates of the seeds.
Presentation
Our poster board will include a summary of background information needed to know about the growth rates of radish seeds and the different water types that we used for the experiment. Our data will also be presented through histograms and tables showing the ANOVA/t-tests.
References
Kang, Y., & Wan, S. 2005. Effect of soil water potential on radish (Raphanus sativus L.) growth and water use under drip irrigation. Scientia Horticulturae, 106: 275-292. Retrieved from
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030442380500124X
Novero, R., D. H. Smith, F. D. Moore, J. F. Shanahan, and R. d’Andria. 1991. Field-Grown Tomato Response to Carbonated Water Application. Agron. J. 83:911-916. doi:10.2134/agronj1991.00021962008300050026x.
Oliva, A., Lahoz, E., Contillo, R., & Aliotta, G. (2002). Effects of Ruta graveolens leaves on soil characteristics and on seed germination and early seedling growth of four crop species. Annals of Applied Biology, 141(1), 87-91.
Van Hooijdonk, M. 1999. “Effects of salinity on growth, water use, and nutrient use in
radish (Raphanus sativus L)”. Plant and Soil. 215: 57-64.
Okumura, T., Muramoto, Y., & Shimizu, N. (2012). Influence of DC electric field on growth of daikon radish (Raphanus sativus). Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, IEEE Transactions on, 19(6), 2237-2241.
