Effects that plants growing in overcrowded conditions

Effects that brings maturement in overcrowded conditionsThis report is examining the effects that jells growing in overcrowded conditions go through and what affects overcrowding has on set outlings making comparisons to lay outs which invite been grown in normal/ lofty special conditions. It also includes literature research into the different methods which argon used for the ontogenesis of plants in both commercial settings and private setting and which method suits this investigation s purposes best. It gives pull up stakess in both observational and quantitative ways and explains/gives definitions for words that may non have been unders overlyd.IntroductionThis is an investigation to discover what happens to a plant population of germinating seeds that are grown in overcrowded conditions compared to the germination of seeds that are grown in an area where they are sufficient nutrients, space and light.Literature researchTerms germination the beginning of product for a seed , the beginnings of a new plant 1Loam begrime brand composed of sand, silt, and clay in comparatively even c at one timentration. Loam farmings generally contain more nutrients and humus than sandy soils, have better infiltration and drain than silty soils, and are easier to till than clay soils. Loams are gritty, moist, and retain wet easily. 2Horticulture the industry and perception of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. 3Overcrowding when the number of organisms exceed the carrying potentiality of an area (in this investigation it allow be the soil) 4Vermiculite any of a group micaceous hyd esteemd silicate minerals related to the chlorites and used in heat-expanded form as insulation and as a planting medium. 5 hydroponics the cultivation of plants in a nutrient-rich solution, rather than in soil, and under controlled conditions of light, temperature, and humid(prenominal)ity. Also called aquacul ture. 6Ideal germination conditions for 3 plant species1. Radish (Raphanus sativus) sandy loam soil that has been tilled is ideal for germination and growth, seeds need to be planted at the write depth for the seed to make grow properly, 1cm for small radishes and 4cm for large radishes. Will germinate mingled with 3 and 7 days and is ready for harvesting in about 4 weeks.2. pea plant (Pisum sativum) soak the seed in water for about 4 hours before planting it, plant the seeds in rows. The seeds should be planted about 2cm deep between 6 -8 cm apart. Water them daily as they require lots and use organic mulch.3. California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) sow in soil that is in safe sun, these poppies like soil that is of a poor soil condition. Sow directly onto the soil and then fatigue the seeds in and add water and germination depart begin wi dainty a few days.Germination methods used by horticulturalistsMethod Pro s Con s exploitation in like wool Can observe the germinatio n process easily The roots become entangled in the cotton wool and it may become difficult to remove the seed from the cotton woolGrowth in vermiculite Adds nutrients to the plants environmentHolds water genuinely well so that plants don t experience a shortage Research shows no disadvantagesHydroponics No soil is neededNutrient levels in the water are control for each type of plantStable and large yields of plantsNo major pestis problems Plants may become infected with Verticillium wilt referable to the high moisture levelsWater and nutrient be may be expensiveEvidence and measurement of growth in plantsMeasuring the space between the internodes of along the stem of the plantMeasuring the size of the leaves, by measuring the length of the leaves along its mid vein to the node where it connects to the stemCounting the number of leaves on the plantChecking the weight of the plant (will not be used in this investigation as it requires a large number of plants and will result in pl ants being removed from the soil so that they can be weighted, this will most likely result in the death of the plant.).Possible effects of overcrowdingRadish size of the root (part which is harvested) will be greatly reduced, size of the leaves will be small and few leaves will be present, very big stems.Pea reduced size and number of leaves, flowering rate will be reduced, pods will be greatly reduced in sizeCalifornia poppy lives very well in malnourished soil and in overcrowded conditionsHow may overcrowding be overcome by the plant?Will grow tall lissome stems and try to grow higher than other plants, roots system will be very small. Stems as a result of being tall and thin are unable to support the weight of the leaves and the plant collapses. Horticulturalists solve the problem of overcrowding by providing the plants with sufficient resources that they require for grow. They also remove the plants from the greenhouses before them become too big. If overcrowding does occur they separate the plants and give them sufficient space, they will also dispose of any weak plants that will not grow properly.InvestigationHypothesis The overcrowded plants will develop weak stems and their growth rates will be hampered due to lack of nutrients.AimTo investigate the effects of overcrowding on germinating seeds and the effects of overcrowding on the growth of seedlings.VariablesIndependent variable the number of radish seeds planted in each seedling tray.Dependent variable the growth of the plants in terms of their stem length and size of their leaves.Fixed variables the size of the seedlings trays must be the equivalent size, the amount of soil take aimd in the seedling trays is filled to the same point, the amount of water given to each seedling tray must be equal in this case 500ml either second day.ApparatusTwo seedling traysPotting soilRadish seedsRuler/measuring tapeWaterCameraMethodFill both every bit sized seedling trays with sand to the same point.Moist en the soil and prepare it for planting the seeds.Using Radish seeds, plant 9 seeds in the 1st tray using the conditions indicated on the back of the seeds packaging then in the 2nd tray plant at least 45 seeds in close proximity to each other.Once seeds have been planted place the trays in a hot houseOnce germination has taken place and the plants have begun growing out of the soil measure the length of the stem and the length of the mid-vein in the leaves every 4 days.Measure the growth of the plants over a period of 40 daysResultsObservationsSeeds were plant the twenty-sixth January 2011After 2 days the soil began to lift in the overcrowded trayOn the 3rd day the seedling were beginning to emerge from the soil in the overcrowded trayOn the 5th day the seedling in the ideal conditions tray began to emerge from the soilThe overcrowded seedlings grew at a very debauched rate in comparison to the ideal conditions seedlingThe growth rate of the overcrowded population plants slowed do wn where as the ideal conditions population plants grew at a steady rateOn the night of the 15th of February 2011 the majority of the ideal conditions plant population s and some the overcrowded plants population s where eaten, possibly by slugsSeedling trays were removed from the hot house so that they remain plants would survive and so the damage ones could recoverDamaged plant s stems began to shrink as the secondary leaves were getting ready to grow, once the secondary leaves had begun to grow larger and the plants were receiving food from being able to photosynthesis again, the stems began growing taller againIn the overcrowded tray the small plants stopped growing and the larger plants began to go limp as their stems became too long and too thin to support the weight of the leavesSome of the overcrowded plants began to experience their leaves going yellow and the plants starting to die off due to lack of resourcesSee appendix figure 4 for picture of leaves yellowingQuantitat ive resultsFor tables of results see appendix ensure 1Figure 2DiscussionThe length of the leaves in the ideal conditions plant population on the 16th day was so low compared to the leaves length on the 12th day due to the leaves having been eaten two days earlier by suspected to be slugs.The greater growth rate experienced in the overcrowded plant population in the first few days was most likely caused by chemical substance released by the seeds to encourage growth and as they are in such close proximity and thither are so many it may cause them to have an overload of the chemical resulting the extremely fast initial growth rate.ConclusionThe overcrowded plants grew at faster rate than that of the ideal conditions plants yet the overcrowded plants became weak very quickly and as a result weaker plants remained small or died and taller plants grew flimsy. The ideal plants grew to be stronger and healthier plants contempt that they were partially eaten.