Research Plan

Name: Shirley Tse

Teacher: Mrs Kloza
Partners: Crystal Kelly, Alex Parrott, Cassy Powell

Title of investigation: Growth rate of tomato plant with different

concentrations of fertilizer

Specific Research Problem to be investigated: How does the

increasing concentration of fertilizer affect the growth rate of the
plant?

Hypothesis: The plants height will increase with the increased

concentration of fertilizer

Independent variable: Concentration of fertilizer used

Dependent variables: The height of the plant
Controlled variables: Amount of water used to water the plants

Method:
Step 1: Potting mix was added to each of the five pots, and
three holes were dug into each.
Step 2: The 15 seedlings were separated into 3 seedlings per
pot in a triangular formation and were planted in the potting mix.
Step 3: Each pot was labelled (pot 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) and each
plant was given a number (Plant 1, 2, 3).
Step 4: The seedlings were all watered with 90mL of water at
first
Step 5: Different concentrations of fertilizer were then added
into pots 2-5. Only water was added into pot 1, because it is Control.

Concentrations of Fertilizer
Amount
Pot 1 Control
Pot 2 10mL/L
Pot 3 20mL/L
Pot 4 30mL/L
Pot 5 40mL/L

Step 6: The seedlings were then measured using a ruler,

measuring from the brim of the pot to the apex of the seedling.
Results of height were recorded.
Step 7: The amount of leaves were counted and recorded.
Step 8: Steps 5 – 7 were repeated every watering day (3 times a
week) and fertilizing day (once every fortnight). Watering days
didn’t need fertilizer, only 50mL of water.
Attach a LABELLED DIAGRAM of the materials set up as you
intend to use them.

Draw a table to explain how you will collect your data.

Height Day 0 Day 1 Day 8 Day 14 Day 21 Day 27

Pot 1
Pot 2
Pot 3
Pot 4
Pot 5
Average

Leaves Day 0 Day 1 Day 8 Day 14 Day 21 Day 27

Pot 1
Pot 2
 Pot 3
Pot 4
Pot 5
Average

Title: Growth rate of tomato plant with different concentrations of

fertilizer

Aim: To determine wether the concentration of fertilizer affect the

growth rate of a plant

Hypothesis: The plants height will vary through the concentration

of the fertilizer

Materials:
- Pots - Pipette
- Potting Mix - Graduated cylinder
- Fertilizer (Yates- Fish Emulsion) - Small garden shovel
- Water - Plant seedlings

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment was to determine if different

concentrations of fertilizer affects the growth rate of a plant. In this
case, Cherry tomato plants were used. A total of 15 Cherry tomato
plants were planted into pots (3 plants in each pot, with a total of 5
pots). The plants were then watered and fertilizer over a period of 3
weeks. During the course of the 3 weeks, the plants were carefully
monitored, measured and recorded. Pot one, the control pot (No
fertilizer was used in this pot), appeared to have been growing
slower then the fertilized plants.
The data collected was analysed and a conclusion was drawn that
different concentrations of fertilizer does affect the growth rate of a
plant, as all plants that was fertilized with fertilizer grew taller than
the plants in the control pot.

Introduction
Cherry Tomato plant (Solanumlycoperscium var. Carasifome), are a
favourable garnish that are mainly used vitamins in salads, and are
very easy to grow. Tomatoes are a great source of vitamins, and
contain vitamins such as; Vitamin A, B6, K, E and C. Cherry tomato
plant also contain supplements like; magnesium, foliate, copper,
nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, manganese and dietary fibre. All
these supplements play an important role in the plant’s growth.
For instance; Magnesium is required for photosynthesis, which uses
sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water.
Nitrogen provides energy to allow vegetative growth which helps
produce more fruits/ vegetables. Phosphorus allows the plant to
grow faster and also encourages root growth. Potassium can
increase the quality of the fruits and can make plants immune to
some diseases. Lastly, Manganese can help break down
carbohydrates and nitrogen.

Like humans, plants also need nutrients to grow. There are 16 main
chemical nutrients that are necessary for successful plant growth.
These nutrients may be divided into 2 categories, a Non-mineral
nutrient or a Mineral nutrient. Non-mineral nutrients are mainly
found in the air and water. During the process of photosynthesis,
plants use the energy from the sun to convert Carbon dioxide (CO2),
and water (H2O) into starches and sugars, which will then become
the plants food. Mineral nutrients, which are from soil, are dissolved
in water and absorbed through the plant’s roots. At times, there are
not always enough nutrients in the soil for a plant to grow healthy.
This may result to farmers and gardeners using fertilizer, to add the
nutrients into the soil.

Macronutrients are required for better growth of a plant and are

usually used in large amounts. Nutrients are divided into 2
categories; Primary and secondary macronutrients. Primary
nutrients are the main nutrients needed for plant growth, they
contain chemical nutrients such as, Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P)
and Potassium (K). These nutrients all contribute to a plant’s
growth. Nitrogen is a significant part of all amino acids and plays an
important role in plant growth. Phosphorus, improves the process of
photosynthesis, maturation, flowering and nitrogen fixation.
Phosphorus also helps improves roots growth and the evolution of
the plant’s lateral roots. Potassium, the last of the primary
macronutrients, is commonly applied as fertilizers to soils; this also
limits a plant’s productivity. This chemical nutrient is known to build
up protein, photosynthesis, fruit quality, and reduction of diseases.
All these primary macronutrients are extremely important to a
plants growth.

Secondary macronutrients are generally in the soil, and

consequently not much fertilization is required, as these are not
always needed. The secondary macronutrients include chemical
nutrients, for instance; Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), and Sulphur
(S). These secondary macronutrients play an important role
throughout the process of the plant’s growth. Magnesium is
essential for photosynthesis, and helps activate many enzymes
needed to help the plant grow, this chemical nutrient is also a part
of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is a group of green pigments found in
photosynthetic organisms. Calcium helps by, strengthening the
plant, helping to build cells and transporting and preserving the
other elements. Lastly Sulphur contributes by producing proteins,
aids in the development of enzymes and vitamins. It also improves
the roots plant growth and seed production.

Other nutrients that should be applied to plants in small quantities

are known as Micronutrients. These elements are sometimes called
minor elements or trace elements. The Micronutrients are; Boron
(B), Copper (Vu), Chlorine (Cl), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn),
Molybdenum (Mo) and Zinc (Zn). Recycling organic matter such as
grass clippings and tree leaves are an excellent way or providing
micronutrients (as well as Macronutrients) to growing plants.

Therefore, the question should be asked, would the increased

amount of fertilizer affect the growth rate of a plant?

Results:

Average Height
Day 0 Day 1 Day 8 Day 14 Day 21 Day 27
 Pot 1 6 5.8 10.8 13.5 16.5 17
Pot 2 13.3 10.8 16.2 22 34 29.5
Pot 3 11.5 13.5 22.5 16.2 27.2 29.5
Pot 4 7.7 16.5 12.8 16.3 0 0
Pot 5 11.4 17 10.2 15 0 0

Average Height

Day 0 Day 1 Day 8 Day 14 Day 21 Day 27

Pot 1 3 3 4 4 4 5

Pot 2 3 3 4 5 7 7

Pot 3 2 2 5 5 7 8

Pot 4 3 3 4 4 0 0

Pot 5 2 2 3 4 0 0

Discussion

In the experiments conducted, the results should show a minimal or

a large difference on what the experiment is about. The results in
this specific experiment show that throughout the watering and
fertilizing days, the plants have shown various height differences
along with quantities of leaves that have either wilted, turned yellow
or have fallen off. The plants, which grew the most, overall were the
plants in pot 4, have grown to an average of 38 centimetres, with 2
plants.(There were only 2 plants in this pot, as 1 plant had died).
The plants that grew the most with 3 plants are pot 2 with a total
height of 42.5 centimetres. The shortest growing plants were the
plants in pot 1, the control pot, as it has only been receiving water,
without any fertilizers.
During the first couple of days, the plants did not grow very much.
Comparing pots, 2,3,4 and 5 to the control pot 1, shows that all the
other plants grew taller than the control plant.

From the leaves changing colours and even wilting at times, the
cotyledon leaves started to turn a yellowy- green colour to a yellow
colour after a couple of days into the experiment. Not long after this
has begun to happen the cotyledon leaves, seemed to have fallen
off and disappear. 2 plants in pot 5 had wilted beyond revival, and 1
plant in pot 4 had also wilted beyond revival.

One plant in pot 4 grew the tallest; it is believed that since one of
the plants had died, this plant had received more nutrients that the
other plant left in the pot, less competition between the plants for
nutrients. Pot 4 had received 30 millilitres of fertilizer when the
plants were first fertilized, this may have been the reason as to why
the plants have grown so tall.
Or it could have been the fact that it had the right concentration of
fertilizer needed. In addition, it may have also been the genetics in
the plants; the plants may have naturally been taller in the
beginning, when compared to the other plants in the beginning, it
had proven to be one of the shortest. Even though the plants have
had rapidly grown near the end, it could of just been receiving more
nutrients from the sun then the other plants have. The reason as to
why the plants in the control pot 1, was that it may have been the
fact that that it had started off as the shortest plant, and maybe it
had received less nutrients as the other plants, being the pot which
received no fertilizer, it may have been harder for it to grow taller,
like the others.

The reason why the cotyledon leaves turn a yellow colour and fall
off is due to the fact that the leaves my soon be replaced by cherry
tomatoes which would then be picked off or because of nutrient
deficiency, Chlorosis (the yellowing of a plant). The plants that
wilted beyond revival (Pot 4 and 5) may have been the lack of water
the plant was receiving, which results to wilting.

When the plants in control pot 1 didn’t grow much, may have been
because the plants received no fertilizer throughout this whole
experiment, which might mean that the plants received fewer
nutrients than the other plants. The plants in pot 2, which grew the
most with 3 plants, may have been because it may have gotten
more nitrogen from the fertilizer. Nitrogen helps increase the growth
of plants.

In this experiment there were a few errors that occurred. Such as;
having to forget about watering the plants one day, this may have
lead to some plants dying. Or too much water added, as the
measurements might not have been accurate. Around day 19, the
class was informed that the plants were to be moved from the
greenhouse, elsewhere. This was due to the fact that the
greenhouse was collapsing. This may have lead to the plants not
receiving as much sunlight as when they were in the greenhouse.
The inaccurate measurements of the fertilizer may have had a small
impact on the plants as we were using a 1mL dropper.

The improvements that could be made to improve this experiment

are having more plants. This would give better results and more
reliable results, but also since three plants were sharing 1 pot,
having one plant die, the experiment would not be fair, as, the other
remaining plants will receive more nutrients. Having more pots so
each plant can be in one pot could have also improved the results.
To improve the errors made in this experiment, the measuring of
the fertilizer might have been more accurate if time was used more
accurately.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is concluded that the results did support the

hypothesis as the plant with different concentrations of fertilizer did
in fact affect the grow rate of the plant. Furthermore, If more plants
were uses in this experiment it could further support this theory as
more results would be collected.