The Effect of Sand Content in Soil and Light Duration on the Mass of Radish Bulbs
The purpose of our experimentation was to determine the best combination of sand content in soil and light duration that produced the largest mass in radish bulbs. We ran our trials by developing the conditions created by the two factors. The factors had a high (+) and low (-) condition. The control of the experiment had a neutral (0) condition. The sand/soil content conditions were the ratio of 2:1 for (+), 1:1 for (0), and 1:2 for (-). The light duration conditions were 20 hours for (+), 15 hours for (0), and 10 hours for (-). The different combinations were (+,+), (+,-), (-,-), (-,+), and (0,0). Each combination had 15 trials, or 15 plants. The results show a possible explanation for each factor. The decrease by 0.021 in the effect of sand content can be accounted with the plant's ability to retain water. The increase by 0.054 in the effect of light duration can be accounted with the plant's need for energy. The two factor interaction graph, on the other hand, shows us the relationship between the two factors. Because the two interaction lines are non-parallel, there appears to be an interaction between the two factors. The two factors seem to be not independent. Thus, the two interacting factors do have a definite relationship. Further research can possibly determine what exactly that relationship is.
Research Done By:
Kathy Hardy
Center Line
Melissa Weston
Romeo
Warren Consolidated Schools