CARIBBEAN ADVANCED PROFICIENCY

EXAMINATION

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
INTERNAL ASSESSMENT

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 TITLE
The role and importance of Container gardening in the growth rate of lettuce plants vs that of
traditional method.
 PROBLEM STATEMENT
The Low Costal Plain of Guyana is known for its rich, fertile soil which is very suitable for
agriculture. However, there are many challenges faced by farmers where land become less
available for farming /agriculture due to the increased demand for housing and other
infrastructural activities/development. Thus, less land is made available for farming.
 PURPOSE OF STUDY

This research seeks to investigate the productivity of Container Gardening on the Growth Rate of
Lettuce using two (2) methods; the grow box and the soil.

Objectives:

 To measure growth rate of plants (lettuce) weekly.

 To conduct soil test analysis.
 To observe the environment.
 METHODOLOGY
In order to attain the objectives of this research, both qualitative and quantitative dada had to be
obtained. This was achieved through primary and secondary data collection methods.

Primary data is original or fresh data collected firsthand by the researcher for a specific research
purpose or project. This type of data can be collected in a number of ways. In this research, the
primary data included experiments and site visits. Before this was done, a seed box was
constructed. The typical seed box is 35cm long, 25cm wide and 7cm deep and made of wood.
There were 5nnm wide slits for drainage which accommodated 36 seedlings. Before the
seedlings were planted, a thin layer of straw was placed on the base to prevent the soil from
falling through. Sifted potting soil was then added to the box 1 cm from the top. The soil was
then watered before planting was done. In addition, land preparation had to be carried out. All
the stages of land preparation was carried out. This included clearing, tillage, addition of
fertilizer, liming, drainage, leveling the soil and bed formation. The primary qualitative data was
obtained through taking photographs, observation of the site, and documentation of the
observation and information from the site visits. This information contained measurements of the
length and width of three lettuce plant each from both the seed box and the soil. The average was
subsequently calculated. The primary quantitative data was obtained through collection of soil
samples to be analyzed.

Secondary data is data that has been collected by someone else and had already passed through
the statistical process. The secondary data included online articles, textbooks, newspaper articles
and brochures collected from the Ministry of Agriculture.
 LITERATURE REVIEW

Crop productivity is the quantitative measure of crop yield in given measured area of field. The
use of new crop varieties and the efficient application of agrochemicals immensely contributed
to increased plant productivity.

https://www.omicsonline.org/scholarly/crop-productivity-journals-articles-ppts-list.php

In 2007, for the first time in history, the world’s urban population exceeded its rural population.

By 2030, it is expected that approximately two-thirds of the world’s population will be living in

urban areas (FAO 2007a). Today, urban populations consume the majority of the world’s

resources. For example, 75% of global resource consumption is drawn for urban areas

(Moscovich 2006). As urban areas increase in population and continue to consume more

resources, they will also produce more waste.

While urban environments have the ability to reduce the need for automobiles, by decreasing the

distance to products, goods and services, allowing cities to save on energy consumption, it is the

buildings within cites that consume a large portion of energy. 40% of all energy consumption in

America, for example, goes into making, heating, and cooling buildings (TVO 2007). Buildings

also consume vast amounts of water and generate vast amounts of waste (United States Green

Building Council 2003). As urban populations increase, the amount of resources consumed and

the amount of waste generated from cities is expected to increase.

With increased resource consumption and the increase in waste production from within growing

cities around the world, there is an increasing need to address the sustainability of these urban

environments. There is tremendous potential to increase the sustainability of cities and to

provide a secure food network to growing cities with the use of urban agricultural techniques.
Urban agriculture can reduce energy consumption significantly by reducing the transportation

needed to ship and distribute food to urban inhabitants; by reducing the amount of energy

buildings need for temperature moderation and potentially, by eliminating the synthetic and

chemical inputs that industrial agriculture relies on. There are many benefits that urban

agriculture can offer to today’s growing cities, to make them more sustainable in the future.

In addition, it is believed that global agricultural food production needs to increase between 50

and 70% by 2050 to match the projected population growth. Due to the scarcity of new arable

agricultural land, increasing food production will require finding sustainable means to increase

the productivity of existing agricultural lands as well as development means to produce food in

marginal lands.

https://www.biosaline.org/content/crop-productivity-and-diversification

Many developing countries are facing food security problems due to drought and desertification,

population growth and shortage of arable lands. Nutritional deficiencies affect the daily life of

almost all the poor, mostly hungry or malnourished people. Some of the main limitations to

sufficient food production in rural or urban areas are the lack of arable land and the lack of open

space for gardening, especially in urban environment and on bad soils in rural areas. Container

garden is a remarkably universal solution to alleviate these food problems. At its simplest,

container gardening transforms an area that would otherwise not be able to support plant growth

into a suitable space to produce fresh food all year long. (Prof. Dr. Willem Van Cotthem; Ghent

University, Belgium)

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321484019_Container_gardening_for_the_poor_the_hungr
y_and_the_malnourished
PRESENTATION OF DATA AND ANALYSIS
TABLE: 1

Average Lengths of Lettuce (cm)

Week 1 2 3 4
In Container 8.13 10.33 14.33 15.83
In Soil 6.6 8.33 11.33 12.16

Table 1 indicates the average growth rate in length of the lettuce in the container and in the soil.

FIGURE: 1: THE COMPARISON BETWEEN THE LENGTHS OF LETTUCE

16
14
12
LENGTH (CM)

10
8 In Container
6 In Soil
4
2
0
1 2 3 4
WEEK

Figure 1 illustrates the comparison in length between the average growth rate of lettuce in the
grow box and in the soil. In week 1, the lettuce in the container showed on average 8.13 cm in
length while in the soil showed 6.6 cm. Week 2 indicated that the lettuce in the container
increased to 10.33 cm and those in the soil; 8.33 cm. The average length of lettuce for week 3
was; 14.33 cm in the container and 11.33 cm in the soil. Week 4 showed that the container
lettuce was 15.83 cm and in the soil was 12.16 cm.
TABLE: 2

Average Widths (cm)

Week 1 2 3 4
In Container 6.23 6.33 7 8.83
In Soil 4.3 6.5 7.06 8.16

Table 2 specifies the average growth rate in width of the lettuce in the container and in the soil.

FIGURE: 2: THE COMPARISON BETWEEN THE WIDTHS OF LETTUCE

9
8
7
6
WIDTH (CM)

5
In Container
4
In Soil
3
2
1
0
1 2 3 4
WEEK

Figure 2 depicts the comparison in width between the average growth rate of lettuce in the grow
box and in the soil. In week 1, the lettuce in the container showed on average 6.23 cm in width
while in the soil showed 4.3 cm. Week 2 indicated that the lettuce in the container increased
marginally to 6.33 cm and those in the soil; 6.5 cm. The average width of lettuce for week 3 was;
7 cm in the container and 7.06 cm in the soil. Week 4 showed that the container lettuce was 8.83
cm and in the soil was 8.16 cm.
TABLE: 3

Average pH Level

In Container 7.07

In Soil 7.21

Table 3 states the average pH level of the soil sample recorded over the four week period.

FIGURE: 3: THE AVERAGE pH LEVEL PRESENT IN SOIL SAMPLES

In Container
In Soil

In figure 3, the pH level in the container is compared to that of the soil. As shown, there is no
major distinction between the pH of the different soil sample. The average pH level in the
container was 7.02 mg/kg while the soil was 7.21 mg/kg.
TABLE: 4

Average Amt. of Mineral Present (mg/kg)

Mineral Nitrogen Potassium Phosphorus

In Container 7088 156 1133

In Soil 5675 152 245

Table 4 highlights the average amount of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium in mg/kg.

FIGURE: 4: THE MINERAL CONTENT OF SOIL SAMPLES

Phosphorus
MINERALS

Potassium
In Soil
In Container

Nitrogen

0 2000 4000 6000 8000

AVG. AMOUNT (MG/KG)
 DISCUSSION

Soil is basically a mixture of organic matter, liquids, minerals, gases, organisms, and
microorganisms. All of the components of this mixture work together to support plant life and
allow plants to thrive. Soil minerals perform a number of functions, including helping plants
absorb water, adjusting soil pH, and providing nutrients to plants. Of all of the minerals found in
soil, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium are the three most important that plants actively
extract from the soil as nutrients. Soil minerals can do a lot to improve the soil for different
plants. A good balance of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium is required to help plants grow
and thrive.

As stated by Cheng et al., 1987; Xu et al., 1995 inorganic nitrogen is the most mobile pool in a
forest ecosystem but plays a decisive role in the forest production and the stability of the system.
The results indicated some variance among the four sites visited. Both Long Creek and
DEM/10/09 had 1725 mg/kg of nitrogen and Yarrowkabra had 1750 mg/kg. These amounts seem
very identical with minimal difference due to the fact that they are all naturally occurring
ecosystems and little to no forest management is carried out. On the other hand, the Pilot Study
Plantation had 1787.5 mg/kg of nitrogen in the soil. This proved Cheng et al. and Xu et al. when
they indicated that forest management is vital for the aggregate of nitrogen in the soil. Nitrogen
is primarily responsible for vegetative growth. Nitrogen assimilation into amino acids is the
building block for protein in the plant. It is a component of chlorophyll and is required for
several enzyme reactions. It is also responsible for increased yield and quality, and as nitrogen
rates increase, so does yield. In cases where nitrogen is depleted, it can be replenished via
fertilizers. Some common nitrogenous sources are anhydrous ammonia (82-0-0), urea (46-0-0),
and ammonium nitrate (34-0-0).

Phosphorus is another major mineral content of the soil. Long creek had 1.12 mg/kg and
DEM/10/09 had 1.1 mg/kg of phosphorus within the soil. Yarrowkabra had a slightly higher
concentration of phosphorus with 1.52 mg/kg. Meanwhile, the Pilot Study Plantation had 5.5
mg/kg of this mineral in the soil. Phosphorus is a major component in plant DNA and RNA.
Phosphorus is also critical in root development, crop maturity and seed production. It is a fact
that that once the root system of a plant is well developed; it allows the plant to be more firm and
often larger. The forest at the Pilot Study Plantation was very uniform in size extending to
considerable heights. This was clear evidence of sufficient phosphorus compared to the other
sites visited. Phosphorus content can be maintained by the use of fertilizers. Two such fertilizers
are diammonium phosphate (18-46-0) and ammonium polyphosphate (10-34-0).

The sites visited experienced constant rainfall and sandy soils in higher rainfall areas are prone to
potassium deficiency. At Yarrowkabra, the soil contained 91.5 mg/kg. The concentration of
potassium at Long Creek was 59.5 mg/kg. It then peaked at the Pilot Study plantation with 185
mg/kg before dropping to 144.5 mg/kg at DEM/10/09. The varying of the concentration was a
result of leaching due to rainfall. Potassium is required for the activation of over 80 enzymes
throughout the plant. It's important for a plant's ability to withstand extreme cold and hot
temperatures, drought and pests. Potassium increases water use efficiency and transforms sugars
to starch in the grain-filling process. Potassium plays a major role in the regulation of water in
plants (osmo-regulation). Both uptake of water through plant roots and its loss through the
stomata are affected by potassium. A common potassium fertilizer source is potassium chloride
- potash (0-0-60).
 CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that anthropogenic activities have a negative impact of the four (4) forested
areas visited along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway as it relates to the mineral content of the soil.
At three of the protected areas, human activity was prevalent and the mineral content was low
but at the Pilot Study Plantation the soil had sufficient nutrients for growth and development.

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that other researchers venturing out into similar studies shadow the following:

 It is advised that the researcher have well trained individuals who are well informed and
knowledgeable of the forest.

 Ensure that the equipment used for conducting test are in proper functional state.

 Be sure to visit sites which best allows you to meet your set out objectives.
 SITE VISITS

Entry Number: 1

Date:

Site/Location: St. Stanislaus College

Objectives:

 To measure growth rate of plants (lettuce) weekly.

 To conduct soil test analysis.
 To observe the environment.

Activities:

 Three plants from both the container and the soil were randomly selected. The length and
width was recorded for each. This was done by the use of a measuring tape.

 Amendments such as the removal of weeds or any foreign matter were made if necessary.
 Soil samples were collected from each plot.

 Images/photographs were taken of each activity done.

Observation:

 The lettuce begun to grow into a cup-like form. There was a obvious distinction the
lettuce in the grow box and those in the soil. Those in the grow box was larger than that of the
soil after the first week of transplanting.

Comments:

 There were little to no weed present.

 Because of the dry weather, the soil was relatively dry.

 A few crawling insects was seen.

Follow up Activities: The researcher proceeded to the next site for further investigation.
Entry Number: 2

Date:

Site/Location: St. Stanislaus College

Objectives:

 To measure growth rate of plants (lettuce) weekly.

 To conduct soil test analysis.
 To observe the environment.

Activities:

 Three plants from both the container and the soil were randomly selected. The length and
width was recorded for each. This was done by the use of a measuring tape.

 Amendments such as the removal of weeds or any foreign matter were made if necessary.

 Soil samples were collected from each plot.

 Images/photographs were taken of each activity done.

Observations:

 There were evident growth of the lettuce in both the grow box and in the soil. However,
blight was seen on a few plants. The lettuce in the grow box remained slightly larger than in the
soil and was seen by the length and width of the leaves. Also, weed was quite prevalent on both
crops.

Comments:

 The excess heat may have led to the discoloration of some of the plants.

 The presence of the weed competed with the lettuce for food and space causing some to
subsequently die.

Follow up Activities: The researcher proceeded to the next site for further investigation.
Entry Number: 3

Date:

Site/Location: St. Stanislaus College

Objectives:

 To measure growth rate of plants (lettuce) weekly.

 To conduct soil test analysis.
 To observe the environment.

Activities:

 Three plants from both the container and the soil were randomly selected. The length and
width was recorded for each. This was done by the use of a measuring tape.

 Amendments such as the removal of weeds or any foreign matter were made if necessary.

 Soil samples were collected from each plot.

 Images/photographs were taken of each activity done.

Observation:

 The lettuce were considerably large in both the soil and the grow box. The leaves were
bright green in colour despite the inference of weeds. A majority of the plants were
leaned over and not in an upright position.

Comments:

 Despite the heat, the soil remained relatively moist.

 The weeds may have led to the bending over of the lettuce plants.

Follow up Activities: The researcher proceeded to the next site for further investigation.
Entry Number: 4

Date:

Site/Location: St. Stanislaus College

Objectives:

 To measure growth rate of plants (lettuce) weekly.

 To conduct soil test analysis.
 To observe the environment.

Activities:

 Three plants from both the container and the soil were randomly selected. The length and
width was recorded for each. This was done by the use of a measuring tape.

 Amendments such as the removal of weeds or any foreign matter were made if necessary.

 Soil samples were collected from each plot.

 Images/photographs were taken of each activity done.

Observation:
 The lettuce in the grow box remained larger than those in the soil. It was noticed that the
soil in the grow box was darker in colour and more moist. There was a profuse growth of weeds
accompanied by a few insect but this didn’t severely affect the growth and development of the
lettuce.

Comments:

 Since no agrochemicals were used, the lettuce produced were 100% organic.

 Due to the fact that the lettuce in the grow box was slightly shaded more than the lettuce
in the soil, this may have led to the difference in length and width of the leaves.

Follow up Activities: All data was collected, assembled, and analyzed.

LAB 1

Title: Nitrogen Content

Aim: To test for Nitrogen present in soil at the four sites.

Background: Nitrogen is a chemical element with symbol N and atomic number 7. It was first
discovered and isolated by Scottish physician Daniel Rutherford in 1772. The route that N
follows in and out of the soil system is collectively called the nitrogen cycle. Animal manures
and other organic wastes can be important sources of N for plant growth. Nitrogen is an essential
element of all the amino acids in plant structures which are the building blocks of plant proteins,
important in the growth and development of vital plant tissues and cells like the cell membranes
and chlorophyll.

Materials/Apparatus:

 Soil samples from the four locations

 Nitrogen Testing Meter
 Beaker

Procedure:

1. Two Beakers were labelled ‘Soil’ and ‘Container’ respectively.

2. Each beaker was then filled with the respective soil samples.

3. The Nitrogen Testing Meter was inserted into the soil sample in the first beaker for 1
minute.

4. The results were recorded in a tabular form.

5. Step 3 and 4 were then repeated for the other beaker.

Results:

SITE AVG. NITROGEN CONTENT (mg/kg)

Container 7088
Soil 5675

Average Nitrogen Content of the Soil Samples

8000

7000

6000

5000
Container
Avg. Nitrogen
4000 Soil
Content (mg/kg)
3000

2000

1000

Discussion:

Nitrogen exists in the soil system in many forms and changes (transforms) very easily form one
form to another. Nitrogen is available to plants as either ammonium (NH4+-N) or nitrate (NO3--N).
Nitrogen is essential in plant processes such as photosynthesis. Thus, plants with sufficient
nitrogen will experience high rates of photosynthesis and typically exhibit vigorous plant growth
and development. It is a component of chlorophyll and is required for several enzyme reactions.
It is also responsible for increased yield and quality, and as nitrogen rates increase, so does yield.
In the Container, the nitrogen content was 7088 mg/kg while in the Soil it was 5675 mg/kg. It
was expected that the plants in the container contained more since there is limited external
factors such as leeching and excess sunlight. This would ensure that the leaves maintain the
bright green colour. In cases where nitrogen is depleted, it can be replenished via fertilizers.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the soil samples were tested, and the amount of nitrogen present was recorded and
tabulated.
LAB 2

Title: Phosphorus Content

Aim: To test for Phosphorus present in soil at the four sites.

Background: Phosphorus is a chemical element with symbol P and atomic number 15. As an
element, phosphorus exists in two major forms, white phosphorus, and red phosphorus, but
because it is highly reactive, phosphorus is never found as a free element on Earth. Phosphorus is
one of the three nutrients generally added to soil as fertilizer. One of the main roles of P in living
organisms is in the transfer of energy. Organic compounds that contain P are used to transfer
energy from one reaction to drive another reaction within cells.

Materials/Apparatus:

 Soil samples from the four locations

 Phosphorus Testing Meter
 Beakers

Procedure:

1. Two Beakers were labelled ‘Soil’ and ‘Container’ respectively.

2. Each beaker was then filled with the respective soil samples.

3. The Phosphorus Testing Meter was inserted into the soil sample in the first beaker for 1
minute.

4. The results were recorded in a tabular form.

5. Step 3 and 4 were then repeated for the other beakers.

Results:

SITE AVG. PHOSPHORUS CONTENT (mg/kg)

Container 1133
Soil 245

Average Phosphorus Content of the Soil Samples

18%

Container
Soil

82%

Discussion:

Phosphorus (P) is an essential element classified as a macronutrient because of the relatively

large amounts of P required by plants. Adequate P availability for plants stimulates early plant
growth and hastens maturity. Phosphorus is also critical in root development, crop maturity and
seed production. Once the root system of a plant is well developed; it allows the plant to be
firmer and often larger. The lettuce in the Container were somewhat larger than those in the soil.
This was expected since 82% of the phosphorus was present in the container.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the soil samples were tested, and the amount of phosphorus present was recorded
and tabulated.
LAB 3

Title: Potassium Content

Aim: To test for Potassium present in soil at the four sites.

Background: Potassium is a chemical element with symbol K and atomic number 19. It was
first isolated from potash, the ashes of plants, from which its name derives. Potassium is not a
constituent of the soil organic matter. Consequently, as organic residues decompose, most of the
potassium is quickly released. Potassium is highly mobile in the soil, but leaching is minimized
by cation exchange and by trapping within clay crystals.

Materials/Apparatus:

 Soil samples from the four locations

 Potassium Testing Meter
 Beakers

Procedure:

1. Two Beakers were labelled ‘Soil’ and ‘Container’ respectively

2. Each beaker was then filled with the respective soil samples.

3. The Potassium Testing Meter was inserted into the soil sample in the first beaker for 1
minute.

4. The results were recorded in a tabular form.

5. Step 3 and 4 were then repeated for the other beakers.

Results:

SITE AVG. POTASSIUM CONTENT (mg/kg)

Container 156
Soil 152

Average Potassium Content of the Soil Samples

Sites
Container
Soil
Soil

Container

0 50 100 150 200

Avg. Potassium Content (mg/kg)

Discussion:

Potassium is required for the activation of over 80 enzymes throughout the plant. It's important
for a plant's ability to withstand extreme cold and hot temperatures, drought, and pests.
Potassium increases water use efficiency and transforms sugars to starch in the grain-filling
process. Both uptake of water through plant roots and its loss through the stomata are affected by
potassium since potassium play a vital role of water regulation in plants. There were no major
difference between the potassium content of either the container or the soil. Because both
contained adequate amount of potassium they were able to withstand the heat and show minimal
withering of the leaves. In the case of potassium deficiency, certain chemical fertilizers may be
used to replenish the sol.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the soil samples were tested, and the amount of potassium present was recorded
and tabulated.
LAB 4

Title: pH

Aim: To test the pH of the soil at the four sites.

Background: A line transect may be a tape or string laid along the ground in a straight line
between two poles demarcating an area of specific perimeter of 10 m x 10m. It is used as a guide
to count the distribution of organisms. It requires an observer to move along a fixed path and to
count occurrences within the perimeter and, in some cases, obtain the distance of the object from
the path. This result is an estimate of the amount of a organism in the area.

Materials/Apparatus:

 Tape Measure
 Note Book
 Pen/Pencil

Procedure:

1. The 10 m x 10m square was measured and the four were identified.
2. The number of tree species within the demarcation was counted and recorded.
3. The recorded data was then tabulated.
Results:

Precautions:

 Ensure that the transect is correctly measured.

 Be sure that all tree species within the perimeter are counted and recorded.

Discussion:

Over ten different variety of tree species were identified at the four sites visited. Yarrowkabra,
Long Creek and DEM/10/09 had lots of similar trees within their respective transects. The Duka
specie was notably present at all the above-mentioned sites. However, the Pilot Study Plantation
had mainly three specie. The Caci cara was the dominant specie at this location. There were no
animals that inhabited the four ecosystems visited.
Conclusion:

In conclusion, the different variety of tree species were counted, recorded, and tabulated.