The Effect of Different Liquids on Plant Growth

The Effect of Different Liquids on Plant Growth:

In Which Do Plants Grow Best?

My project is: which type of water based liquid grows pea plants best?

Plants need water, sunlight, and soil to grow. When you plant a seed and water it, the seed absorbs water and the seed cover splits so the first leaves can come out. This is called germination.

While doing my research, I read about a project that used different kinds of liquids to test if water was the best liquid for plants. The answer was that water is best.

I discovered that even though plants are mostly water, that the soil must have water in it for the plant to bring in the nutrients. It is important to keep the soil moist but not wet. Too much water will flood the plant so it will drown. Not enough water will dry out the seed and plant so it will die.

I also found out that most plants like a neutral pH of about 7. pH explains the acid and alkaline balance. The scale goes from 0 to 14, and the lower numbers are the most acid and the higher numbers are the most alkaline. Having the right pH makes it easier for the plant to soak in water by osmosis.

One of my water types is salt water. Some of my research said that salt draws out the water, drying the seed out and killing it. It also said that the amount of salt that can be tolerated depends on the type of plant it is.

Another of my water types is water with fertilizer. It should provide more nutrients for the plants than plain water.

"By maintaining a good balance between soil and water, plus daylight, a plant will stand the best chance of growing to its full potential." (Watts, 2012). I am looking forward to seeing which liquid I am testing works best.

Bibliography:

Watkins, John V. and Wolfe, Herbert S. (1978). Your Florida Garden. University Presses of Florida.

Watts, Melanie. n.d. Which Liquids Do Seeds Grow Best In? Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://www.ehow.com/list_7626140_liquids-do-seeds-grow.html

Science Projects for Beginners. n.d. Botany Projects. In Which Liquids Do seeds Grow Best? Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://www.infoplease.com/cig/science-fair-projects/liquids-do-seeds-grow-best.html

Ask it, Answer it, Blurt it. n.d. What Liquids Do Plants Grow Best In? Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://www.blurtit.com/q640096.html

What does pH stand for? Retrieved February