Interpretation and Analysis of the Effects of Sodium Polyacrylate on Plant Growth
The purpose of this experiment was to identify the effects of sodium polyacrylate on the growth of Coleus plants. The Coleus plants received less water than they require under normal circumstances in order for us to observe how sodium polyacrylate, when mixed into the soil of the plant, effects plant growth in a dry environment.
To conduct this experiment, eighteen small Coleus plants were divided into three separate groups, six plants in each group. Within each group, three plants had sodium polyacrylate in the soil and three plants did not. The first group of plants was watered with 400 mL of water initially and was not watered at all for the duration of the experiment. The second group of plants was watered with 200 mL of water initially and received 200 mL of water every seven days for the duration of the experiment. The third group of plants was watered with 100 mL of water initially and received 100 mL of water every four days for the duration of the experiment. It was concluded that sodium polyacrylate hinders plant growth because the plants that did not have sodium polyacrylate in the soil grew taller and looked healthier than those plants that did.
Research Done By:
Kristen Hunter
Cousino High School
Andrea Kaye
Cousino High School
Warren Consolidated Schools