The Effects of Fertilizer on Plant Growth - Research Paper Example

?Hannah Gant Paola Barriga Sec-1916 The Effect of Fertilizer on Plant Growth Introduction This paper seeks to analyze the effects of fertilizer on plant growth. Fertilizer adds nutrients and texture to soil that is a need to provide proper nutrients for plants. Plant food and fertilizers have been known to help increase and speed up plant growth along with producing healthier plants. Fertilizer according to Webster dictionary is, “a substance (such as manure or a special chemical) that is added to soil to help the growth of plants.” Fertilizer can be of a natural or synthetic origin that is added to the soil or to the roots of the plants in order for a more rapid and healthy growing process. “A recent assessment found that about 40 to 60% of crop yields are attributable to commercial fertilizer use” (Coleman, Fuenta, and Mock 1978). There are many types of fertilizer out there today for the aid of plant growth. There are many ways to categorize types of fertilizers; they can be classified as either organic or inorganic. It can also be defined as a solid or a liquid fertilizer, along with different ingredients that produce different actions. “Organic fertilizer is all natural and includes things such as bat guano, compost, peat moss, wood ash and manure. These are general soil amendments. They don't burn or harm plants, and they can have long-term positive effects on the soil without damaging groundwater. Organic fertilizer, however, generally has lower nutrient concentrations than inorganic fertilizers” (Broschat and Moore 2003). Whereas inorganic fertilizer can be classified with the characteristics of. “Man-made and typically comes as a powder, pellets, granules or a liquid. Other chemicals that might be included in inorganic fertilizers include calcium, sulfur, iron, zinc and magnesium” (Broschat and Moore 2003). Research Questions 1. What are the specific effects of fertilizer on plant growth? 2. Are there any policies laid out by government organs to guide the application of fertilizers? 3. What support do farmers get from the government concerning the availability of fertilizers? 4. What challenges do agricultural institutions deal with when giving fertilizers to uninformed farmers? 5. What are the farmer’s views on alternative nutrients for plant growth? Methods Soil was mixed using a 1:1:1 ratio of pet moss, vermiculite, and potting soil. One scoop of the soil was collected and misted with water until it was moist. Four potting trays with six cells each were gathered. The cells were filled half way with the moist soil. Five osmocote pellets were added to each of the cells. The cells were completely filled with the remaining moist soil. A pencil was used to poke three tiny holes in each of the cells. A seed was placed at the top of each hole. The holes were then lightly covered with soil. Each of the cells was labeled one through twelve for the control group and the experimental group. A diamond wick was inserted into each of the cells halfway and was folded over at the bottom. This was to help water enter the cell. Two tubs were filled with water and two pieces of fabric for each tub were soaked and draped over the top of the boxes. Two antiagal tabs were added to each tub of water to prevent algae from growing. One control tray and one experimental tray were placed on each of the tubs. The trays were mixed up so that if something happened to one of the tubs, there would still be a tub that could be examined. The trays were placed under the fluorescent bulbs in the classroom. Plant height, number of leaves, and number of buds were collected each week. Water was added to the tubs weekly as well. Data was analyzed using statistical t-tests. Ethical Considerations Ethics are the moral codes which are followed in a research. These codes are binding and need to be followed irrespective of any circumstance which may surround the research since they give us a remembrance of the researcher’s responsibility towards the people being researched (Chapman and Shaw 2000). The following ethical considerations would be strictly adhered to when carrying out the study: Consent and information forms: Anyone who would participate in this research will be given and be requested printed consent form that would be attached as an appendix after the research. The consent form would clearly illustrate the aims and nature of the study and how important the study is (Costley, Elliott & Gibbs 2010). Participants in the study would do as voluntarily as will be clearly indicated in the consent form. The consent form will also seek to address information regarding any concerns about privacy, anonymity and confidentiality of the participants. Handling of Data: The researcher has no intention of indentifying any data record or analysis sheet despite the fact that the researcher will be able to access the names of the participants. All record sheets would be destroyed after the completion of the study. This will ensure that the privacy of the participants is not compromised in any way (Chapman and Shaw 2000). All interview transcripts would be code in a way that the participants’ name does not appear. To assure total confidentially of the participants, there is no indentifying information that would ever be published in the subsequent publications of the study results. Feedback to participants: The researcher intends to offer the main findings of the study to participants who provided their valid addresses. Potential Risks: Researchers should also avoid inflicting any harm to the informants. This will be based on the degree of risk involved as well as the magnitude of the consequences which may flow from the research. It is also an ethical consideration for the researcher to act to the best interests of the informants. This should be observed when formulating questions to the participants to avoid stress and anxiety to the participants. This project will not pose any risk of harm or humiliation to participants, to farmers or to the society at large. However, the researcher will employ a precautionary measure by ensuring that all participants get the necessary information in case they need assistance after completion of the project interviews as advocated by Chapman and Shaw (2000). Results and Discussions Participants in this study had varied responses to fertilizer placement among species used for to experiment the effects on plant growth. Some plants shoot dry weight in cases where fertilizer was top-dressed compared to the incorporated fertilizer. The results indicate that the performance of plants under similar conditions on fertilizer is very different. Other plants are not affected by the way in which the fertilizer is applied. For instance, plants such as bamboo fishtail and palms were not affected by the top-dressed fertilizer. However, it is no good to ignore the effect the fertilizer will have on these plants despite the fact that I might not affect their shoot dry weights. The experiments show that layering had a big impact on shoot dry weights compared to soil incorporation for plants such as hibiscus, Alexandra palms among other Chinese plants. It is necessary to note that the results for top-dressing in the Chinese plants showed similar results in the set conditions. Fertilizers play a significant role in growth of plants and farmers should establish which method of dressing best fit their plants. Some plants would perform better with layering while others perform excellently when fertile is top-dressed. Farmers should seek services of consultants to help them understand how best they can maximize plant growth through applying fertilizer in the process of plant development. References Chapman, C., & Shaw, A. 2000. Pragmatics in practice: A group approach. Unpublished paper, Lanarkshire Health Care Trust. Costley, C., Elliott, G. & Gibbs, P. 2010 Doing Work Based Research: Approaches to Enquiry for Insider- Researchers, London, Sage. Coleman, R.A., T. Mock, and T. Furuta. (1978). Effectiveness of Osmocate fertilizer influenced by placement and dosage. Calif Agr. 32(5):12-23 Paper Sources Biological fertilization" by Miransari Influence of compressed fertilizer tablets containing sulfur and growth medium amendments of dolomitic limestone and superphosphate  on nutrient release and azalea growth" by Ingram and Yeager Influence of fertilizer placement on plant quality, root distribution, and weed growth in container- grown tropical ornamental plants"  by Broschat et al  Read More