Mineral deficiency core practical

Investigating how mineral deficiency affects plant growth.

We will measure the growth of the plant and its health.

We will change the solution in which the plant is grown and so the minerals in each solution will be different.

Controlled variablesAmount of light the plants are exposed to will be kept constant by keeping all the plants in the same area and same exposure to sunlight.

Amount of Carbon dioxide in the air will kept constant by ensuring the plants are in the same room and so are in the same environment for photosynthesis.

HypothesisThe test tube which contains all of the plant nutrients will grow the fastest and the healthiest as it has everything the plant requires.The least or no plant growth will occur in the test tube where there are the least or no nutrients. The plant will not be able to acquire what it needs for healthy growth.The solution which does not contain the calcium will have a plant in which the leaves will be distorted and oddly shaped as calcium is needed for healthy plant structure.Yellow or pale green leaves will be seen in the solution where nitrogen is not present. The same will also happen with the magnesium but there may a green band in the middle of the leaves. This will happen because there will not be enough chlorophyll produced and so the plant will not have its green colour.

Equipment5 test tubesTest tube rackMarker penTin FoilMung beansSolutions; Containing all nutrients

Lacking nitrogen Lacking magnesium

Lacking calciumLacking all nutrients

Safety/ethicsTake care when pouring the solutions and clean up any on the floor as it may cause someone to slip.Place the bean in the test tube carefully to avoid any damage to the root.