Grass Growth in the Presence of Salt - Lab Report Example

Investigation of relevant literature reveals that grasses exposed to high levels of salt can suffer root damage, disease, and are less resistant to drought (Swift & Koski, 2007). Furthermore, studies have shown that as the salinity levels increased, root, shoot, stem, height, growth, and visual quality decreased in the grasses (Alvarez, 2006). It has also been noted that certain species of grasses are more resistant to salinity than other types of grass and can even flourish in salty waters (Vasques, 2006).

The scientific method will be used to answer the question: Is grass growth inhibited by the presence of salt? Hypothesis: The saline levels present will have a direct effect on the growth rate of the grasses tested in that more salt will decrease the growth rates and less salt will allow the grasses to grow and flourish. Prediction: If the salt levels are increased then the growth of grass will decrease and vice versa. Controlled Experimental Method: To test the hypothesis, a controlled experiment will be conducted in the following manner: Two types of grasses are selected and cultivated under normal conditions in small pots for approximately three weeks to establish hearty seedlings.

Each type of grass-Eragrostis Love grass and Miscanthus Adagio- are cultivated in four pots each. One pot of each type of grass will be used as a control and will not receive any salt. One pot of each type of grass will be watered in a solution that is 0.25% saline, 0.50% saline, and 0.75% saline. The plants will be grown for a total of 4 weeks (28 days) under test conditions and each plant of the eight plants will be watered every other day with the respective solutions. The soil will be tested weekly to determine the salinity levels of each plant and observations will be made daily to determine the quality of the plant.

Measurements of the growth of each plant will be taken on a weekly basis and the data will be compiled and analyzed at the end of the 30 day experiment. The entire experiment and all variables will be redundant in case any of the plants experience unexpected complications or there should be the accidental introduction of an unforeseen variable. Results: The salinity levels and growth rates for the grasses are indicated (see Figure 1) as recorded each week. The predicted outcome was achieved and the hypothesis was proven correct.

The saline levels had a direct effect on the growth rates of the grasses although the love grass proved to be a heartier species of grass and was less affected by the amounts of salt present. Figure 1- Growth Rates and Salinity Levels for sample Grasses WEEK 0 WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 WEEK 4 Growth Salinity Growth Salinity Growth Salinity Growth Salinity Growth Salinity Control Love grass 8” 0 mmhos/cm 12” 0 mmhos/cm 13” 0 mmhos/cm 19” 0 mmhos/cm 22” 0 mmhos/cm Control Adagio 5” 0 mmhos/cm 8” 0 mmhos/cm 12” 0 mmhos/cm 15” 0 mmhos/cm 18” 0 mmhos/cm Love grass 0.

25% 8” 0 mmhos/cm 11” 3 mmhos/cm 13.5” 5 mmhos/cm 17” 8 mmhos/cm 20” 10 mmhos/cm Adagio 0.25% 5” 0 mmhos/cm 8” 3 mmhos/cm 11” 5 mmhos/cm 13” 8 mmhos/cm 15” 10 mmhos/cm Love grass 0.50% 8” 0 mmhos/cm 9” 6 mmhos/cm 10” 10 mmhos/cm 11” 15 mmhos/cm 12” 18 mmhos/cm Adagio 0.50% 5” 0 mmhos/cm 7” 6 mmhos/cm 9” 10 mmhos/cm 11” 15 mmhos/cm 13” 18 mmhos/cm Love grass 0.75% 8” 0 mmhos/cm 8.75” 10 mmhos/cm 9” 16 mmhos/cm 10” 20 mmhos/cm 10.75” 24 mmhos/cm Adagio 0.

75% 5” 0 mmhos/cm 6” 10 mmhos/cm 6.75” 16 mmhos/cm 7.5” 20 mmhos/cm 8.75” 24 mmhos/cm Conclusion: The results of this experimented has proven that the hypothesis can definitively be accepted. In addition, the supplementary information