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NAME

SYASYA
MUHAMAD ADAM LIM

SYARAFANA

I/C

: 951219-10-6058

GROUP

: ALUK 11

SYAUQINA

BINTI

STUDENT I/D : 1311171167


TITLE
:
DEFICIENCIES

INVESTIGATING

PLANT

MINERAL

DATE OF EXPERIMENT

: 20 FEBRUARY 2014

DATE OF SUBMISSION

: 7 MARCH 2014

LECTURE

: MADAM LILI SYAHANI BINTI RUSLI

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of plant mineral deficiencies.


To develop problem solving and experimental skills, for example,
information

is

accurately

processed,

experimental

procedures

are

planned, designed and evaluated properly, and producing valid results


and recording results.

To develop careful observing skills on the development changes occurred


on Lemna leaves.
INTRODUCTION
This experiment is conducted by using Lemna and also known as duckweed.
Duckweeds are one of the smallest of the flowering plants. It is free floating
and aquatic living plants that can form a rapidly-expanding mat of foliage,
approximately to 1/4 tall on still water surfaces. This plant species can be
found throughout the world. It is named as duckweed because ducks as well
as waterfowl love to consume it. Fish such as goldfish or carp also eat the
plants and can be a vital component for population control in ornamental
ponds. Lemna is also a significant food source for muskrats, beaver, birds and
small aquatic animals such as frogs. It is also a well-known addition to water
gardens and ponds where it not only provides attractive foliage cover but also
minimize the growth of algae. The appearance of Lemna can be described as
oval rounded, flattened green frond with a single downward-trailing root.
Plants are ubiquitous organisms that can absorb nutrients and water through
their root system, as well as carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Soil quality
and climate also play a significant role as they are the major determination of
distribution and growth. The combination of soil nutrients, water and carbon
dioxide, along with sunlight, enables plants to grow. Many requirements must
be met and events must be coordinate by plants in order to develop into
mature, fruit-bearing plants. Plants require water, carbon dioxide and sunlight
to synthesis carbohydrates or also known as food during photosynthesis.
Plants also need additional elements to synthesis nutrients and other organic
substances. There are sixteen chemical elements that are significant for the
development and survival of plats. These sixteen chemicals are divided into
two major groups which are mineral and non-mineral.
The non-mineral nutrients are carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O).

These type of nutrients can be found in water and air. These elements are
vital in the process of photosynthesis in which plants use energy from the
sunlight and convert them into carbon dioxide and water so that the plants
can produce starches and sugars. The starches and sugars are the plants
food. Since plants receive carbon, hydrogen and oxygen from the air and
water, there is little farmers and gardeners can do to control these how much
of these non-mineral nutrients a plan can use. Also, deficiency in these
nutrients rarely occurs and become the least of farmers and gardeners
concern. Apart from that, they are also the most abundant elements found in
plant and form major ingredients of organic compounds, most of which are
carbohydrates. The first non-mineral nutrient, carbon (C), is essential to form
carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acid and many other compounds. On
average, the dry weight (excluding water) of a cell is 50 percent carbon,
making it a key part of plant biomolecules. Hydrogen (H), on the one hand is
necessary for cellular respiration in which plants use oxygen to store energy
in the form of ATP. Both hydrogen and oxygen are also part of many organic
compounds and form water as well.
There are thirteen mineral nutrients, which come from the soil, are dissolved
in water and taken up by plants via active transport process, against the
concentration gradient. Mineral nutrients are not always enough in the soil for
plants to grow healthy. Therefore, most of the farmers and gardeners add
fertilizer that contains nutrients to the soil. The mineral nutrients are divided
into two groups which are macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients
are

elements

required

by

plant

in

relatively

large

amounts

whilst

micronutrients are elements required by plants in a small quantity.


Macronutrients can further be broken into two groups; primary and secondary
nutrients. The primary nutrients consist of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and
potassium (P). These major nutrients usually are lacking from the soil first
because plants use large amounts for their growth and survival. The
secondary nutrients are calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S). There
are usually enough of these nutrients in the soil thus fertilizer is not always
needed. Furthermore, large amount of calcium and magnesium are added
when lime is applied to acidic soils. Sulfur is also usually found in sufficient

amounts from the slow decomposition of soil organic matter, which is also
one of the important reasons for not throwing out grass clipping and leaves.
The micronutrients of mineral nutrients are boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe),
chloride (Cl), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo) and zinc (Zn). Recycling
organic matter such as grass clippings and tree leaves is an excellent way of
providing micronutrients as well as macronutrients to grow plants.
Each mineral nutrient has their own functions and the results can be
devastating if there is a lack of this nutrients in the plants. Nitrogen is a part
of all living cells and it is a vital part of all proteins, enzymes and metabolic
processes involved in the synthesis and transfer of energy. Nitrogen is also a
part of chlorophyll, the green pigments of the plants, that is responsible for
the plants to carry out photosynthesis process. It also aids plants with rapid
growth, increasing the production of seed and fruits as well as improving the
quality of leaves and forage crops. Nitrogen often comes from fertilizer
application and from the air. Similar with nitrogen, phosphorus plays an
important

role

in

the

process

of

photosynthesis.

It

assists

in

the

transformation of solar or light energy into chemical energy. It is also involved


in the formation of all oils, sugars, starches and others. Besides that, it
encourages blooming and root growth as well as effects blooming and root
growth.

Phosphorus

can

be

found

in

fertilizer,

bone

meal

and

superphosphate. On the one hand, potassium is absorbed by plants in large


amounts than any other mineral element available except nitrogen and, in
some cases, calcium. It helps the plants in many ways including in the
building of protein, photosynthesis, fruit quality and reduction of diseases.
Potassium can be supplied to plants by soil minerals, organic materials and
fertilizer. On the other hand, calcium is a crucial part of plant cell wall
structure. It provides for normal transport and retention of other elements as
well as strength in the plants. It also functions to counteract the effect of
alkali salts and organic acids within a plant. The source of calcium can be
obtained from dolomitic lime, gypsum and superphosphate. Magnesium is
one part of the chlorophyll in all green plants and it is indispensable for the
process of photosynthesis. It also helps activate many plant enzymes that
required for the plant growth. The source of magnesium for plants can be

obtained in soil minerals, organic materials, fertilizers and dolomitic


limestone. The last macronutrient is sulfur which is vital plant food for
production of protein. It stimulates the activity and development of enzyme
and vitamins. It also important as it helps to improve roots growth and seed
production. It aids in the chlorophyll production, vigorous plant growth and
resistance to cold. Sulfur can be supplied to soil from rainwater. It is also
added in fertilizers as an impurity, especially the lower grade fertilizers.
Micronutrients are also important to all plants although they are only required
in

small

proportion.

Boron

aids

in

the

production

of

sugar and

carbohydrates as well as in the use of nutrients and regulates other nutrients.


It is also vital for seed and fruit development. The source of boron can be
found in organic matter and borax. Furthermore, copper is significant for
reproductive growth and it helps in root metabolism and utilization of
proteins. Besides that, chloride helps in plant metabolism and can be easily
found in the soil. On the one hand, iron is indispensable for the formation of
chlorophyll and the source of iron can obtained from the soil, iron sulfate and
iron chelate. Manganese, on the other hand, plays an important role with
enzyme systems that involved in the breakdown of carbohydrates and
nitrogen metabolism. Molybdenum also helps in the use of nitrogen. Last but
not least, zinc is critical for the transformation of carbohydrates as it
regulates the consumption of sugars. It is also part of the enzyme system
which regulates plant growth. The source of zinc is soil, zinc oxide, zinc
sulfate and zinc chelate. Deficiency in any of these nutrients, particularly the
macronutrients, can adversely affect the growth of the plants. A lack of these
specific nutrients can cause stunted growth, slow growth or chlorosis, in
which the synthesis of chlorophyll is inhibited, results in pale yellow leaves.
Extreme deficiency can result in leaves showing signs of cell death. Below are
the effects of deficiency.
Macronutri
ent
Nitrogen

Effects of Deficiency

Stunted growth
Chlorosis

Micronutri
ent
Boron

Effects of Deficiency

Death of
buds
Abnormal

terminal
plant


Phosphate

Potassium

Calcium

Magnesium

Sulfur

Poor root growth


Formation of dull,
dark green leaves
Red or purple spots
on old leaves
Reduced
protein
synthesis
Yellow-edged
leaves
Premature
plants
death
Stunted growth
Leaves
become
distorted
and
cupped
Areas between leaf
veins
become
yellow
Chlorosis
Red spots on the
leaf surfaces
Leaves
become
cupped

Copper

Iron

Manganese

Molybdenu
m

General yellowing Zinc


of
the
affected
leaves or the entire
plants

growth
Leaves
become
thick, curled and
brittle
Death
of
young
shoot tips
Brown spots appear
on terminal leaves
Plants are stunted
Yellowing of young
leaves

A network of green
veins on a light
green background
Brown or grey spots
between the veins
Chlorosis
in
the
areas between the
veins
of
mature
leaves
Pale green leaves
Reduction in crop
yields
Mottled leaves with
irregular areas of
chlorosis

Figure 1: The effects of deficiency of plants


PROBLEM STATEMENT
What are the effects of growth of Lemna in different range of nutrient
solution?
HYPOTHESIS
Lemna sp in the normal solution which contain all the nutrients needed by the
plants (potassium, magnesium, sulfate, calcium, iron, nitrate, and phosphate)
has the highest number of plantlets after 2 weeks.
VARIABLES
Types of Variables
Ways To Control the Variables
Manipulated variable: Culture solution Use different culture solution of
of Lemna sp.

Lemna sp. which are all nutrients


presents,

lacking

nitrate,

lacking

potassium, lacking calcium, lacking


phosphate,
Responding

variable:

Growth

lacking

sulfur,

lacking

magnesium and distilled water.


and The growth and appearance of Lemna

appearance of Lemna sp.

sp. are recorded in a table such as


number of roots, number of leaves,
shape of leaves and colour of leaves.

Constant variable:
(i) Volume of cultured solution

The volume of cultures solution in


each Petri dish is fixed which is 15cm 3
The surrounding environment such as

(ii) Surrounding condition

light intensity, humidity, temperature,


solution pH is remained constant

APPARATUS
8 Petri dishes, measuring cylinders, beakers, droppers, forceps
MATERIALS
Label stickers, tissue paper, Lemna sp., nutrient solutions (all nutrients
present,

lacking

nitrate,

lacking

potassium,

lacking

calcium,

lacking

phosphate, lacking iron, lacking magnesium, distilled water)


PROCEDURE
A. Procedure 1: Preparation of culture solutions
1. The Petri dishes are rinsed with distilled water and clean dry with
tissue paper to prevent any foreign substances, microorganism or
pathogens in the dish.
2. 15cm3 of each culture solution is taken out from bottles by dropper
and measured in the small measuring cylinder.
3. Each culture solution is poured into different Petri dish. The Petri dish
is labeled with sticker.
4. The Petri dishes are covered with lid for a while.
B. Procedure 2: Preparation of Lemna sp.
1. Each Petri dish is opened and five Lemna sp with almost similar
appearance are scattered into each Petri dish.
2. The Petri dishes are then covered with lid and they are placed at the

same place and environment.


C. Procedure 3: preparation of observation of growth and appearances of
Lemna sp.
1. The Petri dishes are placed at the back of the classroom and leave
about 11 days.
2. The intervals of 2 days are used and it continued until 11 th days.
3. The number of leaves, the number of roots, the shape of the leaves
and the colour of leaves are calculated during the observation.
4. The results are recorded in the table and interpretation of data is
analyzed to make comparison between each Lemna sp.
RESULT

Type of
solution

Day

All nutrients
present

Lacking
nitrogen

Lacking
phosphate

Number of
roots

Number of
leaves

1
3
5
7

0
0
0
0

1
1
1
1

leaves
Green
Green
Green
Yellowish

green
Yellowish

11
1
3
5

0
0
0
0

1
1
1
1

green
Yellow
Green
Green
Yellowish

green
Yellowish

9
11
1

0
0
0

1
1
1

green
Yellow
Yellow
Green

3
5

0
0

1
1

Green
Yellowish

green
Yellowish

Colour of

green

Lacking
potassium

9
11
1
3
5
7

Lacking
magnesium

Distilled
water

Yellow
Yellow
Green
Green
Yellowish

green
Yellowish

9
11
1

0
0
0

1
1
1

3
5

0
0

1
1

Green
Yellowish

green
Yellowish

9
11
1
3
5

0
0
0
0
0

1
1
1
1
1

green
Yellow
Yellow
Green
Green
Yellowish

green
Yellowish

9
11
1
3

0
0
0
0

1
1
1
1

green
Yellow
Yellow
Green
Yellowish

green
Yellowish

Lacking
Sulfur

1
1
1
1
1

green
Yellow
Yellow
Green

Lacking
calcium

0
0
0
0
0

7
9
11
1
3

0
0
0
0
0

1
1
1
1
1

green
Yellow
Yellow
Yellow
Green
Yellowish

green
Yellowish
green

Yellowish

9
11

0
0

1
1

green
Yellow
Yellow

DISCUSSION
In this experiment, the same type of species of Lemna sp is used so that the
the results are more reliable. The Lemna spp are taken from the same area or
habitat so that the rate of growth is the same for all plants. Besides that, it
has to be taken from the same species because different species has different
rate of growth. One limitation that we cannot avoid at all is the level of
maturity of the Lemna sp. Some of the Lemna sp are young and some of the
Lemna sp are old. In order to minimize this limitation, we should choose the
Lemna sp with almost the same size, though the size of Lemna sp does not
indicate the maturity of the plants. Each petri dish contains 5 Lemna sp and
this amount of Lemna in each Petri dish should be constant for other Petri
dish. This step is vital to ensure the nutrients are divided equally to 5 Lemna
spp and avoid any further competition.
Secondly, all the Lemna sp must be carefully extract and place gently and
carefully into the cultured nutrients solutions. The solutions are freshly made
so that the data obtain is valid and reliable. Before the solutions are poured
into the Petri dish, the Petri dishes must be in sterile condition in which there
is no contamination by the foreign substances. If the petri dishes are polluted,
there will be a competition occurs between Lemna sp and the pathogens,
resulting in inaccuracy of data.
Next, the observation of the Lemna sp is recorded in every two days, making
six observations overall. The observation of the Lemna sp is taken from
several aspects which are number of roots, number of leaves and colour of
leaves. It is a bit difficult to record the observation because the size of Lemna
is very small. However, according to the above table, it states that there is no
changes in the number of roots and number of leaves. This indicates that the
plants have died from the very first day. There are several unavoidable errors

and limitations that cause the plants to die. The first reason is due to the
contamination of the Petri dishes which causes the plants to be infected or
maybe because there are strong competitions exist between Lemna sp and
the microorganism. The competitions occur in the aspect of receiving sunlight
and nutrients. The second reason is because the Lemna spp have already
died before being transferred into the Petri dishes. When we are transferring
the Lemna sp using the forceps, we might be putting excess force on the
forceps and this causes the Lemna sp to be crushed and died. The last reason
is the major cause of this failure results in which the Petri dishes are left
opened for a night and this causes all the nutrients to evaporate and the Petri
dishes are dried. The Lemna spp are left dried in several hours until the
condition become very unfavourable for them to live. The unfavourable
conditions for this type of plant are dry and deficient of nutrient.
Another observation that are taken into account is the colour of the leaves.
The colour of the leaves for all the plants shows the same changes; from
green to pale yellow and then to yellow. This shows that the plants are died
and they are not died because of the deficient of nutrients. If they die due to
nutrients deficiency, the observation should be different. For example, the
leaves should be white in colour instead in yellow colour for Lemna sp in
lacking calcium solution. These reasons also explain why the Lemna sp does
not grow any roots and leaves. It means the Lemna sp has died from the first
day of experiment due to human mistakes and unavoidable limitations. From
overall perspective, the results of this experiment is not valid and unreliable
at all due to the reasons that I have stated above.

EVALUATION
Errors and Improvements
The errors that are aroused during the experimental process can lead to
inaccuracy of the result. The first source of error is when the Petri dishes
containing the nutrients solution are exposed to the surrounding air and
atmosphere during the preparation of Lemna spp. in which Lemna spp. had to

be transferred into the Petri dishes. To put it in other words, they are not
covered with lids. This can cause the entry of microorganisms or foreign
substances or maybe pathogens as the cultured nutrient solutions might
become a favourite condition for the bacteria to grow. Nutrients evaporate
and dry if the Petri dishes are left open for a day and this can cause Lemna
spp. to die as they are aquatic plant and they cannot live in dry condition and
without nutrients. This can be overcome by closing the Petri dishes as soon as
possible to minimize the entry of foreign substances that can disrupt the
growth of the Lemna spp..
Besides that, during choosing the Lemna spp., the chosen Lemna spp. can be
mature and can be immature as they are randomly picked by human. Also,
the chosen Lemna might not be in a healthy state and some of them probably
had undergone the effects of nutrients deficiency without being noticed by
us. This can be solved by picking the Lemna spp. with almost the similar
physical appearance. For instance, choosing green-coloured leaves instead of
yellow or pale green. The yellow Lemna sp. might have undergone chlorosis.
Also, choosing the same size of Lemna spp. for the same Petri dishes. Apart
from that, the Lemna spp. might already be crashed by the forceps during the
choosing of the plant. This can cause Lemna spp. died straight away before
we can investigate the effects of plant minerals deficiency.
Moreover, the process in which transporting the Lemna spp. from the
laboratory to the classroom causes several problems arise. The nutrient
solutions are spilled and this causes the volume of the Petri dishes are not
even. Some of the Lemna spp. is not fully immersed in the culture solutions
as some of them stick to the cover of the Petri dishes whereby the solutions
cannot be reached. Therefore, the nutrients intakes by the plants are not the
same. This problem can be overcome by covering the Petri dishes with cling
films and bring them slowly and gently to the class without spilling the
nutrients.

Limitations

There are a few limitations in the experiment which has to be taken into
account and can affect the results of this experiment. One of the limitations
of the experiment is the experiment is conducted in an exposed air. This
apparatus are contaminated with various foreign substances as we respired
and talked while conducting the experiment. This can cause other bacteria
get into the Petri dishes that contain the cultured nutrient solution and this
solutions might be a favorable condition for the bacterias growth, thus,
raising competition between the impurities and Lemna spp. This can disrupt
the growth of the Lemna spp.. This can be minimize by cleaning the Petri
dishes with tissue paper and cover the Petri dishes with lid to prevent the
cultured solution being exposed to the surrounding environment.
Besides that, many limitations are faces due to the Lemna spp. These plants
have many species and they are varying in size and features. The size of
Lemna spp. are too small and they are difficult to be detected any changes or
observed. Due to the size, there are too many error occurs during the
observation. Moreover, each Lemna sp. has different level of maturity. So,
some of them can be too matured and old while some of them are too young
and immature. They will, therefore, grow at different rate.
Furthermore, the weather of surroundings cannot be controlled. If the
weather is too hot or too cold, it is not a suitable environment for the growth
of Lemna sp. The hot weather can cause the cultured nutrient solution to dry
quickly while the cold weather can disturb the growth of the Lemna sp.. This
can be overcome by placing the Petri dish containing the Lemna sp. in a
classroom as the classroom is not too warm or not too cold. The Petri dishes
are placed near the windows so that the plants can obtain maximum amount
of sunlight for them to carry out the photosynthesis process.
Last but not least, the Lemna spp. might be grown in deficient nutrients
environment and the Lemna sp. might already have the effects of nutrients
sufficient. So, the results are in accurate. This matter can be overcome by
choosing the healthy Lemna spp. and avoid choosing Lemna spp. that has

palpable deficient nutrient symptoms such as chlorosis, red or purple spots


on the leaves or brown spots appear on terminal leaves.
Safety Precautions
Throughout the experiments, there is safety precautions that are taken to
avoid the conditions that might lead to the inaccuracy or invalidity of the
results obtained.

First

and

foremost,

the

basic and

simplest safety

precautions that are needed to be followed by all students are wearing lab
coat and a pair of suitable shoes are compulsory when conducting an
experiment in the lab at all times to protect the skin and clothes from
chemicals such as the cultured nutrients solutions. The cultured nutrients
solutions might be a favourable condition for the growth of foreign
substances. This can be overcome by handling the solutions using gloves and
face masks as well as lab coat and eye protection.
Furthermore, the glassware such as measuring cylinder and beaker should
be handled with full care because they are fragile. Avoid consuming any
solution that used in this experiment because they might be contaminated. In
addition, the hands whose conduct this experiment need to be wash cleanly
after handling the nutrients solutions to avoid any contamination that can
bring harm to your health. Also, be careful when using forceps, while
extracting the Lemna sp from the beaker to move them into Petri dishes, as it
can harm other people. In addition, there would be a risk that the volume of
cultured nutrients solution in each of the Petri dish might not be constant.
This occurs due to the parallax error when reading the scale on the
measuring cylinder. The eyes of observant must be perpendicular to the
measuring cylinder and the reading is repeated with other students to ensure
the precision of the results. It is indispensable to avoid any inconsistency of
the volume of the solution in each Petri dish as the results will not be valid to
the test of the deficiency of the plant mineral in the Lemna sp. Students
should take note as well to behave themselves while in the laboratory by not
running, eating, drinking or joking around while conducting the experiment. It

is compulsory to wash all the apparatus under running tap water after using
them and return to their original places.
CONCLUSION
The Lemna sp in complete nutrients solution has the highest number of
plantlets and they grow healthily. Other than that, we can say that all the
macronutrients and micronutrients are very significant in sustaining the
growth of the Lemna and the deficient of each nutrient will affect the Lemna
sp in many ways. The hypothesis is accepted.
REFERENCE
1. http://soils.wisc.edu/facstaff/barak/soilscience326/macronut.htm
2. http://www.ncagr.gov/cyber/kidswrld/plant/nutrient.htm
3. http://www.eldoradochemical.com/fertiliz1.htm
4. http://landresources.montana.edu/NM/Modules/Module9.pdf
5. http://5e.plantphys.net/article.php?id=289

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