The Effect of Different Hydroponic Treatments on the Average Growth Length of Zea mays Seeds
This experiment’s purpose was to find a fast and effective method for growing plants in a hydroponic system. It can be beneficial to society in a variety of ways such as managing food shortages and reducing environmental damage. During food shortages or to satisfy the growing population, this method can be used to produce crops at a rapid rate. This specific experiment was performed by using an Ebb and Flow system with a growing medium for the plants, a nutrient pump and tube, a reservoir, a timer for the water flow, and a drain. The nutrient that was of different amounts in the two treatments was potassium. Nitrogen is the number one element that is needed in a successful growth life, and to that potassium is second. Potassium plays a major role in the regulation of water in plants. Both uptake of water through plant roots and its loss through the stomata are affected by potassium. In addition, the CO2 intake is regulated by potassium. At the end of the experiment the following results were collected: group 2 had the greatest average growth length and group 4 had the lowest average growth length. Group 2 was grown with the potassium deficient solution and exposed to natural sunlight and group 4 was grown with the full potassium nutrient solution and exposed the advanced growth light specific to plants. Group 1 had the second lowest average growth length grown given the potassium deficient solution and exposed to the advanced growth light specific to plants.
Research Conducted By:
Christopher Harness
Sterling Heights High School
Sade Lemons
Sterling Heights High School
Warren Consolidated Schools