MEGHAN RECKMEYER9TH GRADE

Germination in Pea Plants Stimulated by Ferric

Nitrate

Problem:

Is it possible to germinate a pea seed with iron solution? And if so, could enough iron solution in a plant stimulate a magnetic pull in the plant?

Research

A common side effect of germinating pea plants with iron solution is that the plant will not receive enough copper and zinc nutrients to germinate.

Of all the iron solutions, some are attracted to magnets, while others are not. One example of an iron solution that can be used in plant germination is ferric nitrate.

Ferric Nitrate: Inorganic, insoluble iron compound used to prevent iron deficiency in plants

Iron deficiency: When a plant does not have enough iron in its soil, and the plant begins to welt, eventually dying.

Continued Research

Magnetic field: Measure of the magnetic influence of magnetic materials. This is specified by direction and shape.

Iron’s effect on plants: Necessary in chlorophyll development Used in creating lectins: small toxic proteins in plants

that defend the plant by fighting infection

Hypothesis

If the iron level in a plant is increased by adding Ferric Nitrate, along with increasing the zinc and copper levels, the plant will germinate and will become attracted to magnets due to an increased magnetic pull.

Variables

Independent Variable- Ferric Nitrate, Zinc Nitrate and Copper Nitrate Levels

Dependent Variable-The quantity of seeds germinated and the magnetic pull of the plants.

Controls- Plants without any added compounds

Constants-Amount of solution added to seeds, room temperature, number of seeds

Materials

15 petri dishes, each with a coffee filter and 10 seeds

Ferric NitrateZinc NitrateCopper Nitrate

Procedure

A total of 150 pea seeds were divided into 15 petri dishes, with ten seeds each.

Five solutions were created, with oxide levels of 0%, 10%, 25%, 50%, and 100%. The solutions were used on three petri dishes each.

The petri dishes were regularly checked on and dampened over the course of a week.

Continued Procedure

On Day 4 of the experiment, only the control (o%) petri dishes had germinated seeds, so the 25%, 50%, and 100% solutions and corresponding petri dishes were discarded in exchange for nine new petri dishes, and three new solutions, 1%, 2%, and 5%.

The petri dishes were consistently monitored, dampened, and checked for number of germinated seeds.

On Day 8, the seeds were tested for magnetic levels. No seeds showed any signs of magnetism.

Data

More Data

Conclusion

Hypothesis was partially supportedPea plants germinated in increased nitrate

solutionsNo signs of magnetism were detectedGermination became less probable with

increased nitrate levelsOne way to improve this experiment would be

to test nitrate solutions with multiple seed types, or to increase the length of the experiment

Works Cited

Joergensen, Kenneth. “Fertilizer: Iron in plants, transpiration in plants, fertilizer nutrients.” All Experts. New York Times Company, 2012. Web. 30 Sept. 2011. <http://en.allexperts.com/ q/ Fertilizer-717/ Iron-plants.htm>.

R., Aarti. “The Effect of Magnetism on Plant Growth.” Buzzle.com. Buzzle.com, 2011. Web. 30 Sept. 2011. <http://www.buzzle.com/ articles/ the-effect-of-magnetism-on-plant-growth.html>.

Rawe, Lynn. “Straight Talk About Iron Deficiency and Plants.” AgriLife Extension. Gardening, Etc., 2009. Web. 30 Sept. 2011. <http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/ HomeHort/ F1Column/ 2003Articles/ MAY25.htm>.

"Plant Nutrients." North Carolina Department of Agriculture. N.p., n.d. Web. 1      Mar. 2012. <http://www.ncagr.gov/cyber/kidswrld/plant/nutrient.htm>.

"Lectins." Battle for Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Mar. 2012.      <http://www.battleforhealth.com/Battle_for_Health/Lectins.html>.

ANY QUESTIONS?

Thank You!