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Affecting Aquatic Plant Growth by Varying the Ratio of Nitrogen to Phosphorus

CSEF · 2010 Plant Biology

Lily A. Hallmark · El Tejon Middle School, Lebec, Kern County

Overview

Objectives/Goals An efficient use of nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) in agriculture could improve plant production and decrease the chances of pollution runoff. I tested how the N:P ratio would affect the growth of aquatic plants. My hypothesis was that plants grown in water with the Redfield ratio 16:1 would grow better than plants grown with other ratios. Methods/Materials I used the compound KNO3 as a source of N and KH2PO4 as a source of P. I determined how much N and P are in each compound by dividing the atomic mass of the compound by the molecular weight of N or P. Using the compounds I made six different N:P solutions: a control 0:0, the Redfield ratio 16:1, and four others 1:16, 8:1, 1:8, and 8:8. I tested the growth of two types of plants (Lysimachia nummularia and Lemna minor) in each solution for a total of twelve conditions. I measured plant growth and decay by counting the number of new and dying leaves/fronds on days 8, 17, and 24. Results Conditions with more N had better plant growth by day 24 than either the control or conditions with more P. L. nummularia in the 16:1 and 8:1 conditions had 10 new leaves as compared to the control (7 leaves), 1:16 and 8:8 (5) and 1:8 (3). The results for L. minor were similar the 16:1 condition had 15 new leaves on day 24 as compared to the control (2). Out of the losses for L. nummularia the Redfield and the 1:8 ratios had the least of amount of leaf decay (10). For L. minor the Redfield had the least decay (11) and 8:8 had the greatest decay (18). Conclusions/Discussion More N than P in the water led to increases in the number of leaves. For farmers to improve their crops they should put at least a ratio of 8:1 in their fertilizers. Controlling the N:P ratio could make crops grow quicker and maybe not as many people would go as hungry.

Summary statement

Determing the best nitrogen to phosphorous ratio that leads to good plant growth.

Help received

Mom and Dad taught me basic chemistry and helped me type, prepare solutions, and put together board.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2010 Plant Biology · Entry J2009

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