Example of Experimental Research

Mineral Content of Water and Plant Growth

I.

Statement of Purpose

I want to find out how the mineral content of water affects plant growth. I want to
observe the effects of using distilled water, tap water, filtered water, and salt
water on plant growth. The question I will investigate is What is the effect of
mineral content on plant growth?
II.

Review of Literature

Every living thing on the planet needs energy and almost all of the energy we use
comes from plants as a food source. Besides plants, nothing else on the planet
can produce its own energy, or photosynthesize. The plant kingdom not only
supports life on this planet, it is also a library of information on the development
of our planet, the source of oxygen we breathe, and a magnet for the carbon
dioxide our bodies, our automobiles, and our factories discharge. It would be
impossible to sustain life on the planet without plants.
Water contains many minerals that are necessary for good plant growth. These
minerals include iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen.
If a plant is lacking or has too much of any of these minerals the plant may die or
not grow into a healthy plant. For instance, if the water has little or no nitrogen or
calcium the roots will be large, but the leaves will be small. If there is too much
or too little potassium or iron the leaves will be discolored.

PH is basically the negative log of hydrogen ion activity used to measure the
acidity or basicity. The pH level ranges on a scale from one to fourteen, one being
most acidic, fourteen being most basic, and seven being neutral (Soil pH and
Fertilizers). A pH level of 6.5 or slightly acidic is ideal to most plants because

Example of Experimental Research

nutrients are most readily available between a range of six to seven (Soil pH and
Fertilizers). If the pH falls below four or above nine, a living organism dies (Water
Quality Tests). The pH of a soil is its measure of relative acidity or alkalinity; pH is
an acronym for potential hydrogen. The availability of nutrients is directly
affected by soil pH. Past studies have shown that pH is a strong indicator of soils
chemical properties.
The hypothesis for my experiment is that all the plant trials will grow, but the
filtered water plants will grow most rapidly, as filtered water has fewer
contaminants and more nutrients. By completing this experiment, I plan to
determine which type of water is ideal for growing the healthiest indoor plant. The
results of this experiment may be relevant in greenhouse and indoor planting.
In my experiment I will also be considering the effects that the pH has on the soil.
Soil that is too acidic or too basic does not promote healthy plant growth, due to
the fact that, in both cases, the plants are deprived of their nutrients, which is
harmful to helpful bacteria. If the soils pH is too high or too low, some nutrients
become insoluble, limiting the availability of these nutrients to the plant root
system. My goal is not only to study the pH levels of soil, but also to compare
them to lima bean plant growth. I believe that through regular watering of the
bean plants, the soil will be altered by the different pH levels of the water. I also
believe that the pH level of the soil is a significant factor in determining how well
the bean plants will grow. Again, I hypothesize that the soil that is watered with
the filtered water will be the closest to neutral; therefore these plants will grow
the most efficiently.
In the past, similar research has been conducted with different types of waters on
plants. One known experiment performed, was testing the wilt of flowers when
they were placed in distilled, hard, soft, and lake water. This is somewhat similar
to my experiment as I am using distilled water, filtered water, salt water and tap
water; however, instead of testing the wilt of flowers, I will test the durability and
growth rate of the plants.

Example of Experimental Research

III.

Bibliography

1. Beller, Joel. 1985. Experimenting With Plants. New York: Arco Publishing Inc.
Pp. 88-89.
2. ----. 1985. Water. World Book Encyclopedia. Chicago: Scot Fetzner, Co.
Vol. 21 pp. 104-106.
3. Allhouse, S. 1996. Taken from an electronic letter sent to me via the National
Student Research Centers Electronic School District on the America Online
telecomputing network.
4. lucaream@po.muohio.edu

IV.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis for my experiment is that all the plant trials will grow, but the
filtered water plants will grow most rapidly, as filtered water has fewer
contaminants and more nutrients.

V.

Procedure

1. I will grow 120 pots of seeds, 30 will be the control group, and 90 will be
experimental group.
2. There will be three seeds in each pot.
3. I will give them the exact same amount of light daily and plant them in the
same amount of soil.
4. Seeds will be panted to the same depth.

Example of Experimental Research

5. All plants will receive the same amount of water. The only difference will be
the mineral content of the water.
6. My control seeds will be given distilled water. My experimental seeds will be
given filtered water, tap water, and the other experimental seeds will be given
salt water.
7. I will record my data for 70 days: when seeds sprouted, number of seeds
sprouted, height of plants, color of leaves, and number of leaves.
8. I will then analyze my data, accept or reject my hypothesis, write a summary
and conclusion, and apply my findings.

VI.

Materials

40 flowerpots, 6 cm each
120 bean seeds
1 88 kg bag of potting soil
Tap water
Filtered water
Distilled water
Container of salt
Data collection form
pH meter
Water test kit
Soil pH kit
Thermometer
Grow light
Ruler
Your name here
Student Signature

Date

Example of Experimental Research

Adult Signature

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