Vitamins Increase Growth of Ryegrass Seeds

Paul Brostrom
Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Abstract:

This experiment was conducted to determine if adding human vitamin supplements to ryegrass seeds promoted these seeds growth. Specifically, I believed that human vitamin supplements would promote growth faster than water would in these seeds. At the conclusion of the experiment, I was able to conclude that human vitamin supplements do not do a better job than water in promoting ryegrass seed growth.

Introduction:

At the outset of the experiment, I expected that human vitamin supplements would have a positive effect on the growth of ryegrass seeds. B y pouring a mixture of human vitamin supplements combined with a small amount of water into the experimental group, I was able to measure the effects this vitamin mixture had on the seeds growth. .

Methods:

Subjects
Forty ryegrass seeds, of variety AGWAY Annual Ryegrass (Lot Number. TB-2083, Agway, Inc., Box 4741 Syracuse, New York 13221) were planted in this experiment. Twenty seeds were placed into the control group and twenty seeds were placed into the experimental group. Fifteen control group seeds sprouted and grew, while fifteen experimental group seeds also grew.
Procedures
Procedures The seeds were planted in half-gallon, paper, milk cartons which were cut in half. After being watered, the seeds were placed into plastic bags to ensure a high level of humidity. After the seeds began to sprout, they were removed from the plastic bags. The experimental plants were then given the mixture of human vitamin supplement, while the control group plants were given a simple dose of water. For the next 10 days both groups of plants continued to receive the same amount of growth mixtures. On the eleventh day I removed each plant from the soil.

[Figure 1 About Here.]

Results:

The plants were measured (in mm) upon being removed from the cartons. An average height for the control group was found to be 124 mm, while the average height of the experimental group was calculated to be 126.53 mm. Figure 1 displays these results on a bar graph. In order to determine if the null hypothesis could be rejected, a Mann-Whitney U test was conducted. The U-obtained was found to be 109.5, while the U-critical located on a standard table was 72. Thus, It was needed for me to fail to reject the null hypothesis as being a reasonable explanation.

Discussion:

The experimental hypothesis for this experiment was that human vitamin supplements mixed with a tiny amount of water cause ryegrass seeds to grow better than just pure water. Using the Mann-Whitney U test, it was determined that chance was one of the sole determinants of the results. It can be concluded that the human vitamin supplements did not work better than water in the growth of ryegrass seeds. The results of this experiment could also have implications on the future growth of plants and produce.

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