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The basis for our experiment will be to test various soil types and their quality. For our research we define soil as dynamic matter with chemical, biological, and physical properties that can be managed. Its functions include exchanging water, nutrients, and air with plant life that it supports. Soil quality is defined as "capacity of aspecific kind of soil to function, within natural or managed ecosystem boundaries, to sustain plant and animal productivity, maintain or exchange water and air quality, and support human health and habitation." (Soil Quality Institute, 2001) One of the major soil quality indicators that we will study will be the amount of organic material, humus, in the soil samples. "Soil organic material... improves tilth in the surface horizons, reduces crusting, increases the rate of water infiltration, reduces runoff, and facilitates penetration of plant roots." (National Soil Survey Center, 1996) The humus can be identified as a dark brown, porous, almost spongelike material within the soil. It usually accounts for 5% of the volume of a sample. It improves soil quality by reducing erosion, storing and transporting water, disallowing compaction, and storing nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. This counteracts many of the concerns that threaten soil quality. Additionally, we will manage the soil quality by adding fertilizers, both chemical and organic. "Experiments on the silty clay loam soil at Rothamsted and the sandy loam at Waburn are now showing benefits where soil contains extra soil organic material" (Johnston, 1998) In our experiment, manure will be the organic fertilizer material. Large quantities must be applied regularly to have an effect. Also, MiracleGro will be used to increase the amount of Nitrogen in the soil and test its effectiveness. "The amount of N-fertilizes increases vegetable yield." (Marchland, Bourrie, 1998)
The intent behind our research is to find out which type of soil provides the best growing conditions for bean plants. We chose bean plants because of their potential for rapid growth, 57 days until harvest (University of Illinois, unlisted), which works well for a short lab study. Also, we will be growing these plants in a greenhouse so that we can control growing conditions and because of their susceptibility to frost . Before conducting any formal type of research, we hypothesize that an organic-rich soil type will work best. It wil be composed of roughly 5% humus. Our sample soil types will be taken from various areas accessible from the Miami University campus. We suspect that the mixture closest to the type listed above will yield the bean plant that scores the highest on various testing scales, therefore proving that the soil has the best characteristics for plant growth. According to the Mississippi State University Extension Service (2002), "the ideal garden soil is deep. loose, fertile, well-drained, has plent of organic material, and is free of weeds and disease. "
Soil quality became the subject for this project because of its stability and controllability. We chose a medium that was interesting and dynamic yet easy to work with. Also, the effects that soil has on our lives are numerous and quite significant. So much of the food that we eat comes from the ground that it is interesting to see what conditions favor this life-supporting process. Questioning which areas around campus provide the best conditions tells a great deal about the vegetation that the area supports. We can see why some areas have lush vegetation while others barely support sucker trees. Furthermore, by introducing the variable of fertilizers into the experiment we can justify the practice of using or not using these sources of nutrients. Carrying this one step further, we will see whether organic or chemical fertilizers help the plants signifcantly more or less than the other.
Answering these questions through scientific research will provide background information for anyone who wishes to try and grow plants. Although we are only using bean plants, our results should be relevant for most similar crops. This way green thumbs, gardeners, and farmers alike can see how to develop and nourish their soil in a way that will help their harvest the most. Additionally, one may want to take soil samples of an area of land to see the composition of the soil before investing time, money, and effort into the plot. One could compare the results of his soil testing to the data that we collect on the specific soil types to see the potential in the area.
Finally, this research has interest because of its familiarity to everyone. However, so many people take the soil around them for granted that they have no idea what is going on below the grass, weeds, and leaves. We will show the significance of what is below the surface so that others can understand this common material better.
In the past, groups have worked on projects that dealt with the difference in plant growth and the variety of different soils used for each plant. Some other groups have worked on projects that dealt with different fertilizers and which fertilizer had the better results of plant growth. Our project is a combination of both of these previous ideas. For our original idea we were going to observe the difference in growth just by the variety of soil used. We then decided to add either organic, chemical, or no fertilizer to our plants and soil. A group from the past Natural Systems class did a project just focusing on the fertilizer and not the type of soil too. Therefore, we are using the combination of past projects to begin our project of observation in plant growth.
Our research project can help answer many questions referring to how to grow a plant to its fullest. This question can range from people who are growing plants at home to landscapers putting in plants for people. If someone would want a plant to grow to their fullest, they are going to need to know what kind of soil is more nutritious and what kind of fertilizers work the best. We can also find out how fast a bush bean plant can grow if someone wanted to grow them. Through our experiment, our group will become pretty well aware of what type of soil and fertilizer is needed for a plant to grow to its fullest. This will give more people the time to actually do work that needs to be done instead of messing around with a plant because it won't grow.
120 bean seeds
12 rectangular flats
3 different soil types from the Miami Campus
1 bagged soil for a control (Metro Mix)
Organic fertilizer
Chemical fertilizer
Water
Trowels
Ruler
Balance
Camera
Greenhouse space
In order to discover the effects soils have on plant growth, four different soil samples will be used in a controlled study. The samples will vary in consistency, texture, color, location, moisture, and contact with human life to ensure that the samples are representative of a broad group. We hope to use a sandy soil, clay based soil, organic nutrient rich soil, and then a bagged soil Ð metro mix. "Increasing the organic matter content of a clay soil improves the tilth, makes it easier to work with, and improves the internal drainage. Adding organic matter to sandy soil increases its water-holding capacity and improves its fertiltiy." (MSU, 2002)
In order to determine how well plants grow in the varying soil types, we will grow bush bean plants in the greenhouse for a number of weeks while observing the growth of the plant. Each soil type will be observed under three varying circumstances Ð the use of organic, chemical, and no fertilizer. The organic fertilizer (horse manure compound) will consist of .07 nitrogen, .25 phosphorus, and .55 potassium. "Natural organic fertilizers are typically slow releasing (delivering nutrient over a period of time) because decomposition of the organic matter occurs slowly. "(Johnson, 1998) For a chemical fertilizer we will use MiracleGro. We will grow 10 plants per soil per growing circumstance (10 plants in sandy soil with no fertilizer, 10 plants in sandy soil with chemical fertilizer, 10 plants in sandy soil with organic fertilizer, etc.). The bush bean plants will be grown in labeled flats that all receive comparable amounts of sunlight, water, and stimulation. Every other day a group member will check on the plants to ensure that they are receiving proper amounts of water.
Twice a week, the plants will be measured and photographed so that results can be monitored throughout the growing process. At the end of the growing period, each plant will be weighed on a triple-beam balance to establish another variable to compare when establishing the soils success.
At the end of the experiment, the plants overall progression and growth will be compared to establish if a certain soil type and growing condition (i.e. fertilizer) affects the plants growth either positively or negatively.
Although the growing process with the beans is fairly easy, we will need the classes help to collect and compare data. Towards the end of the 7-8 week growing period we will need the class, in four groups, to examine one of the soil types with one of our group members. The groups will be given the previously collected data concerning that soil type and will be asked to use the soil information, height, mass, photographs, and physical descriptions to draw a final conclusion concerning that soil type. How has the plant changed based on the photographs? How has the size of the plant changed? How have the pots containing fertilizers progressed in comparison to the pot without fertilizer?
At the end of this short observation and conclusion period the class will reconvene and talk about their findings. We will compare the numerical and physical values the groups found (overall growth in mass and size / foliage, stability) to decide which soil, and under what circumstances, had the most obvious growth. A data chart will be completed as this process progresses.
We will then use this information to draw our own final conclusions concerning the various soil types.
Week 1: 9/29 to 10/5
Thursday 10/3: Plant, water, and photograph all soils / bean plants
Week 2: 10/6 to 10/12
Tuesday 10/8: Water, measure, and photograph all bean plants
Thursday 10/10: Water, measure, and photograph all bean plants
Saturday 10/12: Greenhouse workers will water the bean plants
Week 3: 10/13 to 10/19
Tuesday 10/15: Water, measure, and photograph all bean plants
Thursday 10/17: Water, measure, and photograph all bean plants
Saturday 10/19: Greenhouse workers will water the bean plants
Week 4: 10/20 to 10/26
Tuesday 10/22: Water, measure, and photograph all bean plants
Thursday 10/24: Water, measure, and photograph all bean plants
Saturday 10/26: Greenhouse workers will water the bean plants
Week 5: 10/27 to 11/2
Tuesday 10/29: Water, measure, and photograph all bean plants
Thursday 10/30: Water, measure, and photograph all bean plants
Saturday 11/2: Greenhouse workers will water the bean plants
Week 6: 11/3 to 11/9
Tuesday 11/5: Water, measure, and photograph all bean plants
Thursday 11/7: Water, measure, and photograph all bean plants
Saturday 11/9: Greenhouse workers will water the bean plants
Week 7: 11/10 to 11/16
Tuesday 11/12: Water, measure, and photograph all bean plants
Thursday 11/14: Water, measure, and photograph all bean plants
Saturday 11/16: Greenhouse workers will water the bean plants
Week 8: 11/17 to 11/23
Tuesday 11/19: Student Involvement - Water, measure, and photograph all bean plants
Thursday 11/21: Final conclusions made by group
Internet Sites:
Bush Bean Plant Care
This site described how to properly plant and care for bush bean plants. Besides providing the reader with general information about the plant, it offers a question and answer site with common questions the general public asked.
Vegetable Growth
This site described the ideal soil types for growing vegetables in. The various soil types, including clay and sandy soils, are described in detail for identification purposes.
Soil Links
This site is a reference containing links to soil related sites. The sites have to do with soil biology , including information about soil colors, fertility, pH, etc. If you needed to look up specific information on soil this site would provide you with an easy route to find the answer.
Bush Bean Plant Growth
This article posted on the Penn State website describes how easy it is to plant bush bean plants. They offer information about diseases and insects that might attack the bush bean plant so that the reader can gain an understanding about how to care for the plant.
Fertilizers
This site contains information about the different fertilizers available to the public. Information is given about why fertilizers should be used along with the positive and negative characteristics of the products available. Any novice gardener should use this web site as a reference before applying fertilizers.
Library / Journal Resources:
Models of soil compaction due to traffic and their evaluation
This journal refers to the more heavily traveled areas of soil. Because these areas are walked upon quite a bit, there is less plant growth and nutrition within the soil. Different tests have been done to come to the conclusion that this soil is less nutritious and has less plant growth because of the fact that the area has been compacted greatly leaving less room for nutrients to reach plants.
Soil organic matter stratification ratio as an indicator of soil quality
This journal refers to the amount of organic matter having significance in the soil quality. The organic matter on the surface helps control the amount of water in the soil and also helps hold in the nutrients of the soil. Without this protective layer, the soil may be over exposed to water or may not contain as many nutrients needed for an enriched soil.
Environmental considerations in the fertilizer use decision
The amount of fertilizer use has increased because of the fact that more crops are needed at a more rapid rate. By adding more fertilizer without killing a plant the plant will increase its growth. Fertilizer will help with the plant growth and that plays a big role in testing certain fertilizers for their affect on plant growth.
Contents of minerals in green leafy vegetables cultivated in soil fortified with different chemical fertilizers
Chemical fertilizers play a big role in the mineral content within a plant. Tests have been performed on plants that have had chemical fertilizers part of their plant growth along with some other elements and the plants have shown a major difference in the mineral content.
Applied Soil Ecology
This experiment is very similar to ours. They also tested different types of soils and the nitrogen levels to determine which conditions favor plant growth the most. Their choice characteristic was biomass. This is also one of our key criteria.
Soil Quality Concerns
Compaction: Included in this article is a list of various soils, including the ones we are using, and their densities. Density is important because that is what restricts root growth and water intake. Also, this article tells what to look for when sampling a soil pot.
Soil Quality Introduction
Describing what soil quality is, why soil quality is important, how to measure soil quality, and what soil does for us, this article provides the relevance for our research. We will show which areas display quality characteristics and why that is valuable and which areas do not.
Soil Quality Indicators
Organic Matter: Seeing the importance of organic matter in soil, we will hypothesize that the fertilized soils will see better growth than the non-fertilized soils. Included are charts of what contributes to organic matter levels and what reduces the amount. We will see how these factors have affected our samples.
The Nature and Properties of Soil
This resource introduces important principles pertaining to soil science. How soils interact in forest, agricultural, and wetland settings is described in detail throughout the novel.
Soil Fertility and Fertilizers: An Introduction to Nutrient Management
This resource introduces the effect soil organic matter, soil pH, human activities, and other nutrients affect the plants they house. A basic introduction to the biological, chemical, and biochemical properties affecting soil fertility is given.
Handbook of Soil Science
This resource provides us with basic knowledge pertaining to soil biology, biochemistry, chemistry, fertilization and plant nutrition from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Soil Testing and Plant Analysis
This resource compares current knowledge and experiences on the use of soil testing and plant analysis as a tool for assessing nutritional requirements of crops and effective fertilizer use.
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