Pectin Based Moisture Modulators Effect on Soil Moisture Retention and Plant Growth

Overview

Drought adversely affects society with environmental, economic, and social impacts. By improving soil water deficiency, these harmful effects can be reduced. Pectin is a soluble gelatinous polysaccharide that has an alkaline negative charge which causes the molecules to repel each other and bond with water. When an acid is introduced, it neutralizes the negative charge, allowing the pectin molecules to become attracted to each other and form a gel-like substance. The purpose of this experiment was to analyze the effect of pectin based moisture modulators to obtain maximum soil moisture retention for better plant growth. It was hypothesized that if pectin based moisture modulators were placed in the soil, then soil moisture retention and plant growth would increase. The moisture modulators used were pith, pith soaked in lemon juice, extracted pectin, and commercial pectin. Each moisture modulator was placed in soil under similar conditions alongside a control that did not contain a modulator. A bean seed was planted in each pot, watered on day 1, and observed over the next 21 days collecting data on soil moisture levels and plant growth. Extracted pectin showed the highest moisture retention with a 4.4 moisture level as opposed to a 1.6 moisture level of the control. Extracted pectin exhibited the greatest plant growth with an average height of 31.7cm, as opposed to the control which reached an average height of 20.6cm. Leaf surface area of the sprouted plant leaves was greatest among the extracted pectin group at an average of 9.86 units as opposed to the control at 4.16 units. Extracted pectin had the greatest wet weight of sprouted plants at 1.15g, while the control had the smallest wet weight at .72g. Extracted pectin also had the largest water retention weight at .77g. The hypothesis was confirmed as soil that included a pectin based moisture modulator exhibited increased levels of soil moisture, increased plant growth in height, surface area of leaves, and greatest wet weight and plant water retention at harvest. This experiment proved that including pectin based moisture modulators in the soil increased soil moisture levels and plant growth. Therefore, these modulators should be introduced into areas that experience extended periods of drought to increase crop production. Also, as an added environmental benefit, the modulators used are considered waste products and rather than being discarded are being recycled.

Competition history

• AJAS 2019 Category not listed

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