Soil Fluoride Concentration’s Effects on the Growth Rate of Heights and Diameters of Stems of the Common Bean Plant
The purpose of this experiment was to determine the point at which fluoride ceases to be beneficial and begins to become a detriment to the growth rate of plants. To find this point, the researchers planted common bean seeds in planting trays using soil with various concentrations of calcium fluoride (CaF2). The researchers began by mixing CaF2 into soil to create specific concentrations in said soil. The soil was then separated into planters which were divided into groups and placed in trays labeled by CaF2 concentration. Seeds were then planted, four to a planter. Once the plants germinated the researchers measured the heights of the plants and the diameters of the stems. After a sufficient amount of data had been recorded, a series of confidence intervals were carried out to analyze the data. The results of the confidence intervals showed that the peak growth rate for height occurred when CaF2 concentration in the soil was 750 parts per million and the peak growth rate for diameter occurred when CaF2 concentration in the soil was 350 parts per million.
Research Done By:
Andrew Hoepner
Fraser High School
Luisa Scavo
Lakeview High School
Warren Consolidated Schools