ABSTRACT

Investigator conducted an experiment to see whether music increases the growth of rye grass. The experiment was conducted by using a Between Subject Design. Sixteen plants were exposed to the music of Kenny G, Breathless and twenty-four plants served as the control group. By using the Mann Whitney U Test, investigator concluded to fail to reject the null hypothesis.

INTRODUCTION

Investigator hypothesized that the music of Kenny G, Breathless increases the growth of rye grass.

METHODS

Subjects

Agway Annual Rye Grass Seeds; Lot Number TB-2083 (approximately 100). The 1st group of 30 seeds were planted in two 2-liter plastic bottles cut in half (15 in each bottle). These seeds never sprouted, therefore were not used. The 2nd group of seeds were planted in the exact same conditions as the 1st group, although no growth was observed. Finally, the 3rd group of seeds (approximately 3 to 4 seeds) were planted in each compartment of an egg carton. The potting soil and the overall conditions were the same as the 1st and 2nd group. Growth was observed in the third group of seeds which were planted upon which experiment was then able to be conducted .

Apparatus

Four 2 liter plastic bottles cut in half, an empty egg carton, all-purpose potting soil (Walmart), Kenny G tape-(Breathless), tape recorder, one standard 12 inch ruler, room temperature water, pencil, journal,and plastic wrap.

Procedure

On day one, investigator cut two 2 liter plastic bottles in half and placed potting soil in each container then dampened the soil to allow it to sit for one day.

Ten holes were punctured at the bottom for adequate drainage. The next day investigator placed 15 seeds into the potting soil (2 to 3 times the length of the seeds) for each container. Each container was wrapped in plastic wrap and placed on the dining room floor near a large sliding glass door to provide adequate lighting. Two days later investigator noticed mold growing on the soil so the plastic wrap was permanently removed and soil was watered. After two more days investigator observed no change therefore the exact procedure was repeated again in the same conditions. After three days investigator took off the plastic wrap permanently because of mold and then watered both containers of seeds. Due to mold (and fear of no growth), investigator decided to follow planting procedures again only this time using an empty egg carton to grow the seeds and all other conditions remained the same. Three days later plastic wrap was permanently removed because seeds were just starting to sprout in some compartments of the egg carton. Each compartment was watered. The following day investigator cut the egg carton in half. Each half was labeled "Control Group" and "Experimental Group". Measurements were taken for the first time for each group (in inches). The next day the Experimental Group was manipulated. All conditions remained the same for the Control Group. Both groups were given a sufficient amount of water. The Experimental EGroup was taken into a cozy ,well-lit room while being exposed to the music of Kenny G (Breathless ). When the entire tape was played the Experimental Group was placed back in the original position (right beside the Control Group). The plants were measured for the next two consecutive days, and on the last day they were watered.

RESULTS

Using the Mann-Whitney U Test, a critical value of U was unable to be obtained. Therefore, a z score had to be calculated to find the probability (P=.0409 which isless than .05). The results suggest failure to reject the null hypothesis. There is no evidence that the music of Kenny G (Breathless) increases the growth of rye grass.

DISCUSSION

The experimental hypothesis stated that the music of Kenny G (Breathless) increases the growth of rye grass. The Mann Whitney U Test was used because this was a between subject design. Because investigator was unable to obtain a critical value of U, a z score had to be calculated to find the probability. The probability P=.0409 which is less than .05 meant failure to reject the null hypothesis. The end results of this experiment also concur that there is no evidence that the music of Kenny G. (Breathless) increases the growth of rye grass (see Figure 1).