Draft 2: Soil Wars

This topic submitted by Jenny Gallow, Kyle Gibson, Diana Maikut, Mark Cerny (gallowj2@muohio.edu) at 7:33 PM on 9/16/02. Additions were last made on Friday, September 27, 2002. Section: Cummins

Natural Systems 1 Fall, 2002 -Interdisciplinary Studies-Miami University

Soil Wars

Research Question -
Which soil type provides the best growing environment for bean plants?

Predictions -
We predict that soils that are dark in color, therefore high in organic content, fertility, and nitrogen will provide the optimal growing conditions for the bush bean plants. Soils that are composed primarily of clay do not absorb water quickly, therefore the fertilizer will also be absorbed at a slow rate, providing the plant with a less effective growing process. Sandy soils absorb water at a high rate, yet since not compact, they don't hold the water for long, again slowing the growth rate. Therefore, we predict that nutrient rich, dark, loamy soil, (soil that is 50 percent sand, 25 percent clay, and 25 percent silt), will provide the best growing conditions for the bush bean plant due to its rapid absorption rate (plants will be assessed based on a list of criteria to determine this).

Design -
Soil samples will be taken from four varying sites around the Miami University campus to be tested. The sites will vary in vegetation, access to water, general human contact, and many other factors. The soils will be physically and chemically examined to determine their type and predicted effect on plant growth. In the greenhouse, the four soil types will be divided into 24 pots, six of each soil type. Each pot will receive a bush bean plant. Two of each soil type will also receive organic, chemical, and no fertilizer. The plants will grow in the greenhouse for numerous weeks under consistent conditions. The amount of water, sunlight, and stimulation given to each pot will not vary. Each week we will record signs of growth in the pots and take pictures. At the end of the growing period, differences in plant growth in all four types will be compared based on their growing conditions (i.e. fertilizer).

Sources -
http://statlab.iastate.edu/survey/sqi/pdf/sq_fou_1.pdf
http:://www.statlab.iastate.edu/survey/sqi/pdf/sq_nin_1.pdf
http:www.statlab.edu/survey/sqi/sq_ome_1.pdf
www.journals.ohiolink.edu/local-cgi/send-pdf/020805205243491212.pdf
Improved Crop Quality of Nutrient Management

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