Abstract
Two sets of fall grass mixture were planted, grown and cultivated. The experimental group received daily exposure to music for thirteen days. I expected to find more growth in the experimental group that I did in the control. On average, the experimental group did grow taller. However, when I analyzed the data using an independent t test I found that the obtained t was smaller than the critical t. Thus, I was forced to accept the null hypothesis.
For many years, people have struggled to find better and more efficient ways to grow grass. A new method that is proved to be successful would be very beneficial to environmentalists and to home gardeners. Thus, because finding more efficient ways to grow grass is important, I hypothesized that exposure to music would help grass to grow longer.
To begin the experiment, I purchased a bag of Hyponex All Purpose Potting Soil. In addition I was supplied with a small quantity of Fall Green Grass Seed Mixture produced by Wonderlawn Inc. which consisted of 37 percent Barverdi Rye, 32 percent Annual Rye, eight percent red Fescue rye grass, eight percent Pinnacle Perennial Rye, and five percent Kentucky Bluegrass.
First, a half gallon milk carton was cut into two pieces. Next, three holes were cut in to the bottom of each piece. Then, the potting soil was placed into the two halves of the milk carton. The cartons were then saturated with water and allowed to sit over night to drain. After the soil had drained, twenty-five seeds were sprinkled over the soil evenly. Both sets of grass were then placed into a plastic bag and allowed to germinate. After the grass had germinated, the sets were removed from the bag and placed in an area were they could easily obtain sunlight. Both sets were allowed to sit one full day in the sun before the independent variable was applied.
The experimental group received daily installments of music. The experimental group received level one of the independent variable. It was placed directly in front of the radio and sat for ten minutes while music from WCUC (91.7 FM) was played. The control group received level zero of the independent variable. It was not exposed to any music. After the ten minute period was over, the experiment group was returned to holding area with the control group. This routine lasted for 13 days.
When the administration of the independent variable ended, both groups were cultivated and measured. Every blade of grass that germinated was pulled from the soil and measured in millimeters. When the data was collected the averages and standard deviations for each group were found. Then, an independent t test was performed on the data.
Out of the twenty-five seeds planted in the experimental group, 23 seeds germinated. The mean length of those plants was 183.522 mm. The standard deviation for this group was 29.455. However, only 21 of the 25 seeds planted in the control group germinated. The mean length of this group was 169.048. The standard deviation was 26.215 (see Figure 1).
Based on 42 degrees of freedom, the critical t for the independent t test was 1.684. However, the obtained t was only 0.231. Consequently, based on the data obtained, the null hypothesis was not rejected. Thus, music did not help the experimental group to grow longer.
Music is a strong motivator. It can instill many different feelings in people. It may be possible that music can have the same affect on plants as well. By studying the phenomenon more, science may be able to find a connection between music and growth of plants.
Although the null hypothesis was not rejected, more subjects may have increased the obtained t and helped to reject it. The difference in lengths was significant. The average for the experimental group was almost 15 mm more than the control group.
Also, if the plants were allowed to grow for a longer period of time, the difference in length may have been more significant. Thirteen days may not have been a long enough period of time for the affects of the music to truly be seen. Perhaps the experiment needs to be repeated with a longer growing period.
To find more efficient and effective methods of growing grass will help many people in the world. More research needs to be done on the affects of music in the growing of plants. When science is able to fully understand if a link exists between these two variables, advancements in botany can be made that have not been possible before.