How do different cations & phs affect bean growth

How do different cations & phs affect bean growthIvn J. MirandaBiologyProf. Burgos10th grade

IntroductionBeans originated in Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras. But now beans can be found all over the world, even in places that you would never think to find them. And there are about 30 different kinds that are used as vegetables. In the United States some of the most commonly grown kinds are garden peas, cowpea, lima beans, snap beans, soybeans, lentils, kidney beans, pinto beans, chick-peas, and fava beans. Beans extract some of the nitrogen in the atmosphere and are a good source of protein when eaten. Many kinds of beans can be found in developed and undeveloped countries. Beans contain proteins, carbohydrates and some essential vitamins and minerals. Theres no specific scientific name for all of them. The purpose of this experiment was to test how beans grow in different pHs, and see if the chemical used to change the pH affected the beans response to the different pHs.

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Introduction (continued)Cations PH changing minerals used in this project. Cations are atoms that have lost electrons. Since they now have more protons than electrons, cations have a positive charge.PH - pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution, 7 being neutral, lower than 7 acidic, and higher than 7 basic, Or alkaline.

ProblemDoes different pHs with different cations affect the growth of beans?

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HypothesisI guess that the higher the pH, the poorer the beans grow, and would grow worst in the sodium, best in the calcium, and potassium would be in between (solutions).

MaterialsOne bag of mixed pinto and great northern beans from the grocery store26 4-quart plastic tubs78 ft. of 3/4 PVC pipe13 9 x 12 pieces of plastic needlepoint cloth14 one gallon jugs of distilled waterOne plastic sprayerOne roll of paper towels500 gram jar of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) flakes500 gram jar of potassium hydroxide (KOH) flakes250 gram jar of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) powder One roll of pH paper for pHs 5.5 - 8

Materials (Continued)One roll of pH paper for pHs 3 - 9Disposable plastic glovesOne package of 3 oz. plastic cupsHot glue gun10 sticks of hot glueOne 25 lb. bag of epoxy-coated aquarium gravelBlack markerWhite labelsRuler graduated in millimetersMeter stickTriple-beam balance scaleScissorsDrill press with 1/2 bit

ProcedureCut PVC pipe into 3 sections.Cut needlepoint cloth pieces in half the short way:Trim one piece of the needlepoint cloth so that it fits in the bottom of the vat. Mark the large (untrimmed) halves of the needlepoint cloth with 18 holes in a 6 x 3 grid about 2 apart.Glue 3 PVC tubes over the holes drilled in the needlepoint cloth.Make 12 solutions, one gallon each: pH 7.5, pH 8, pH 8.5, and pH 9, for each of the three chemicals (sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, and potassium hydroxide). The 13th solution (control) is plain distilled water. Label each vat with the chemical and pH, or water for the control.Put the small pieces of needlepoint cloth into the bottoms of the vats (this keeps the tubes from sealing to the bottoms of the vats, so the solutions can get in).

Procedure (Continued)Fill the vat not quite full with the proper solution.Soak about 200 beans of each type in plain water overnight.Feed the epoxy-coated gravel down all of the holes until the tubes are full.Fill the sprayer with distilled water.Place the soaked beans on a wet paper towel, and spray them twice a day. When some of them start to sprout put them on the tubs. Begin taking data on each bean when it is placed over a tube (height measurements after they begin to grow).*Take height measurements on the beans every day for 20 days.

ResultsTable exlcuded beacuse they were 13 and were too long. (18x13)All heights were measured in inches.I used one of each type of bean, being 2 for every solution. (Tallest One)Some beans started growing later than others. I will compare the speed of growth.

Control

KOH PH 7.5

Koh ph 8.0

Koh ph 8.5

Koh ph 9.0

Naoh ph 7.5

Naoh ph 8.0

Naoh ph 8.5

Naoh ph 9.0

Ca(oh)2 ph 7.5

Ca(oh)2 ph 8.0

Ca(oh)2 ph 8.5

Ca(oh)2 ph 9.0

AnalysisIn the graphs of the solution of KOH, it was shown that at higher concentrations (PHs), the white beans grew more, and at lower concentrations, the pinto beans were the tallest. In the graphs of the solution of NaOH, it was shown that no matter the concentration (PH), the white beans started growing faster than the pinto beans but at the end the pinto beans always grew more than white ones. In the graphs of the solution of Ca(OH)2, it was shown that at higher concentrations (PHs), the pinto beans grew more and at lower concentrations, the withe beans were the tallest. Beans in the graph of the control group shown grew less than all others, this may be due to the fact that the control was done with distilled water, meaning that is water free of minerals. The beans in Ca(OH)2 8.5 is the tallest with a height of 21 inches. With Ca(OH)2, the plants grew faster and taller than all. It was observed more the velocity at which the plants grew because not all were planted or germinate at the same time, thus the results cannot be based on which plant grew taller. It also needs to be said that most of the tallest plants of every mineral were on the 8.5 pH concentration each. Additionally, one of the steps was not followed by mistake. That step was to keep spraying the plants after being planted. This project was run for 20 days, out of the 40.

ConclusionBased on the results obtained, the hypothesis is accepted, because the results showed that in sodium (NaOH) grew worst, that in calcium (Ca[OH]2) grew faster and taller, and that potassium (KOH) was neither bad nor best. For future experimentation, it is recommended to use lower concentrations of chemicals and different bean types. Also make sure no mistakes are done on de procedure, because, if any, could change all of the results at the end.

AppendixPhotos

PVC Tubes

White Beans and pinto beans

Tube cutter drill

Adding cations

Taking ph samples

Pots

GROWING!

ReferencesCheng, G., Cheung, W., Wong, L., and Yen, C., date unknown. The Effects of pH on Mung Beans. Conway, K., Lucarelli, A., OConnor, J., and Rodgers, J., 1998. The Effect of Different Types of Water on the Growth of Bean Plants. http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/nsfall98/FinalArticles/Final.TheEffectofDifferen.html Retrevied December 23, 2010

Fageria, N. and Biligar, V., 1998. Growth and Nutrient Uptake by Common Bean, Lowland Rice, Corn, Soybean, and Wheat at Different Soil pH and Base Saturation on an Inceptisol. http://www.nal.usda.gov/ttic/tektran/data/000007/27/0000072730.htmlRetrevied December 23, 2010

Mississippi State University, 2002. Vegetables: the Ideal Soil pH.

Nguyen, M., 2002. Sinking pH. http://www.usc.edu/CSSF/Current/Projects/J1622.pdfRetrevied December 23, 2010

Thanks for your attention!