Moonstruck: Are Plants Affected or Influenced by the Moon?

Overview

Objectives/Goals The project's objective was to determine if the light and gravitational changes found in each of the four moon phases, Apogee/Perigee Moon Cycles, Ascending and Descending Moon Cycles, and the moon's Ascending and Descending Nodes would have an affect on seed germination and plant growth. Methods/Materials A mini greenhouse kit was planted with radish seeds two days before each of the four moon phases. The seed germination date and plant growth were recorded and averaged. Plant failures were factored in the averages. The Apogee/Perigee, Lunar Nodes, Ascending and Descending Moon Cycles, and Moon Phases were charted and the results compared. The experiment was repeated for two Lunar Cycles. Results I discovered that my hypothesis was correct. I stated in my hypothesis that I believed that seed germination and plant growth would be best in the New Moon Cycle, when lunar forces are strongest. The New Moon Cycle had the fastest seed germination for each Lunar Cycle experiment. The radishes planted on the New Moon Cycle-1st Lunar Cycle grew 0.9 centimeters higher on average than any other moon phase. The radishes planted on the New Moon Cycle-2nd Lunar Cycle grew 0.1 centimeters higher on average than any other moon phase. The Perigee Cycle appeared to have a small negative influence on plant growth, while the Apogee Cycle indicated plant growth acceleration. The Descending Moon Cycle data indicated a negative influence on germination of seeds and on plant growth. The Ascending Moon Cycle indicated a small positive influence on both plant growth and seed germination. The Moon Nodes data showed no influence. Conclusions/Discussion My hypothesis proved to be correct. The New Moon Cycle influence produced the fastest seed germination and plant growth. I feel that some unseen variables may have affected the results. Inconsistent weather conditions may have affected the light creating false growth results. Inconsistent moisture due to temperature changes may have affected the plants corrupting the data results. Increasing daylight hours may have also corrupted my plant growth data. My experiment's data may have indicated subtle influences by the Moon's Cycles, but I am not confident the corrupted data by these unseen variables, established any real pattern. To establish any real scientific results this experiment would have to be repeated over a very long period of time.

Competition history

• CSEF 2007 Plant Biology · Entry J1723

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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