Uy, Willard Karlheinz C.

BS Biology 3-B

Plant Foraging Case Study #1

Case Study #1
Hypothesis 1: Under favorable growth conditions, clonal plants like ground ivy will produce
more branches because the abundance of nutrients and light will favor the growth rate of plant,
enabling the production of numerous branches with leaves for food production or photosynthesis.
Experimental Results: Branches of Ground Ivy w/ High light/High nutrient exposure: 37
Branches of Ground Ivy w/ High light/ Low nutrient exposure: 22
Branches of Ground Ivy w/ Low Light/ High nutrient exposure: 5
Conclusion: The hypothesis is: Supported

Hypothesis 2: Under favorable growth conditions, clonal plants like ground ivy will have
shorter internodes because of phototropism or the ability of plants to grow towards the source of
light. If light is abundant, then there is no need for the plant to produce longer internodes.
Experimental Results: Length of Ground Ivy w/ High light/High nutrient exposure: 6.4cm
Length of Ground Ivy w/ High light/High nutrient exposure: 7.0cm
Length of Ground Ivy w/ Low light/High nutrient exposure: 10cm
Conclusion: The Hypothesis is: Supported

Hypothesis 3: Under favorable growth conditions, clonal plants like ground ivy will produce more
individuals per clone because the environment is suited for the reproduction of the said species.

Experimental Results: Ground Ivy individual per clone w/ High light/High nutrient exposure: 110

Ground Ivy individual per clone w/ High light/Low nutrient exposure: 62

Ground Ivy individual per clone w/ Low light/High nutrient exposure: 23

Conclusion: The Hypothesis is: Supported

Hypothesis 4: Under favorable growth conditions, clonal plants like ground ivy will have larger leaves
because larger leaves are more efficient for the plant to use in terms of light harvesting.

Experimental Results: Leaf Surface of Ground Ivy at 400 lux: 7.8

Leaf Surface of Ground Ivy at 2000 lux: 122.7

Conclusion: The Hypothesis is: Supported

Hypothesis 5: Under favorable growth conditions, clonal plants like ground ivy will have more leaves
because the plant is exposed to abundant amount of light. Therefore, the plant will be able to produce
more leaves for food production and respiration.

Experimental Results: Leaf number of Ground Ivy at 400 lux: 30

Leaf number of Ground Ivy at 2000 lux: 219

Conclusion: The Hypothesis is: Supported

Hypothesis 6: Under favorable growth conditions, clonal plants like ground ivy will have longer petioles
because it will prevent overlapping of leaves in a single side of plant.

Experimental Results: Petiole Length of Ground Ivy at 400 lux: 28

Petiole Length of Ground Ivy at 2000 lux: 132

Conclusion: The Hypothesis is: Supported

Case Study #2

1st form: The long stem/small leaves may be present in an area where there is less presence of
light. Plants with this form are said to exhibit phototropism. Therefore, its growth will be
towards the source of light, resulting to long stems. The less abundance of light may be the
reason for its small leaves, to prevent overlapping of each leaf.
2nd form: The short stem/large leaves may be present in an area where there is high rate of light
and nutrition. Since light is abundant in the area, the stem doesnt need to grow anymore. Also it
enhances the rate of transportation of water and nutrients. Large leaves may be due to light
abundance. This form can capture vast amount of light, that will be used for photosynthesis.