Plant ExperimentPlant Experiment

Group Members:Group Members: A. YoxallA. Yoxall T. RathbunT. Rathbun S. BrubakerS. Brubaker

PurposePurpose

Do different types of soil Do different types of soil affect the way the bean affect the way the bean plants grow?plants grow?

HypothesisHypothesis

We think the plant in the mixed soil We think the plant in the mixed soil will grow the best.will grow the best.

We think the plant in the sand will We think the plant in the sand will grow the least.grow the least.

MaterialsMaterials NailNail PenPen 3 Styrofoam cups3 Styrofoam cups 3 Healthy bean plants3 Healthy bean plants WaterWater Measuring cupsMeasuring cups

SandSand Top soilTop soil Sandy soil mixSandy soil mix RulerRuler Data sheetData sheet Sunny windowSunny window

ProcedureProcedure Gather all materials.Gather all materials. Fill one cup ½ full with top soil, another cup ½ Fill one cup ½ full with top soil, another cup ½

full with sand, and the third cup ½ full with full with sand, and the third cup ½ full with mixed soil.mixed soil.

Place a bean plant’s roots into each cup and Place a bean plant’s roots into each cup and continue to add soil, sand, or mixed soil until continue to add soil, sand, or mixed soil until the cup is almost full.the cup is almost full.

Pack soil, sand, or sandy soil mix lightly with Pack soil, sand, or sandy soil mix lightly with fingers.fingers.

Poke a nail through the sides of each cup near Poke a nail through the sides of each cup near the bottom 4 times to allow drainage.the bottom 4 times to allow drainage.

Label each cup with a pen to identify group Label each cup with a pen to identify group members.members.

ProcedureProcedure

Place each cup in a separate Styrofoam bowl.Place each cup in a separate Styrofoam bowl. Measure the starting heights of each plant in Measure the starting heights of each plant in

centimeters and record on data sheet.centimeters and record on data sheet. Place all plants in the same sunny window.Place all plants in the same sunny window. Water each plant ¼ cup of water each Monday, Water each plant ¼ cup of water each Monday,

Wednesday, and Friday.Wednesday, and Friday. Measure each plant’s growth on Mondays for Measure each plant’s growth on Mondays for

four weeks.four weeks. Record height on data sheet.Record height on data sheet.

Variable & Variable & ControlsControls

Different types of Different types of soilsoil

Same sunny windowSame sunny window Same amount of Same amount of

waterwater Same type of liquid in Same type of liquid in

wateringwatering Same amount of soilSame amount of soil Same kind of plantSame kind of plant

ResultsResults

Plant Growth

0

2

4

6

8

10

Sandy Soil Mixed Soil Top Soil

Type of Soil

Gro

wth

in

Cen

tim

eter

s

The plant in the mixed soil grew 9 cm. It grew the most.The plant in the mixed soil grew 9 cm. It grew the most. The plant in the top soil grew 7 cm. It was in between the heights The plant in the top soil grew 7 cm. It was in between the heights

of the other two plants.of the other two plants. The plant in the sandy soil grew 6 cm. It grew the least.The plant in the sandy soil grew 6 cm. It grew the least.

ConclusionConclusion

We learned that plants need good soil to We learned that plants need good soil to grow. Sand does not have very many grow. Sand does not have very many nutrients. Top soil has the best nutrients nutrients. Top soil has the best nutrients for plants to grow healthy. This supports for plants to grow healthy. This supports our hypothesis.our hypothesis.