260 likes | 279 Views
Effects of Road Salt on the Growth of Soybeans. Marco Morgano Pittsburgh Central Catholic PJAS 2017 Grade 9. Purpose and Problem. Problem: How does runoff affect the soil and water supply it washes into? (Specifically vegetation in the soil)
E N D
Effects of Road Salt on the Growth of Soybeans Marco Morgano Pittsburgh Central Catholic PJAS 2017 Grade 9
Purpose and Problem • Problem: How does runoff affect the soil and water supply it washes into? (Specifically vegetation in the soil) • Purpose: To determine if road salt runoff has any effect on the growth rate of soybeans.
Runoff • Part of the water cycle which describes the water that flows over a land surface. • Surface runoff occurs on land, creating a “Watershed.” • This water is absorbed into the soil, known as infiltration. • Includes fertilizers, bacteria, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides.
Road Salt (variable) • Sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) • Lowers freezingpoint of ice, prevents formation of ice • Gets caught in runoff, enters water supply and soil. • Last winter, western PA used 14,000 tons of road salt
Soybeans • Grow between 6.0-7.0 soil pH level. • Legume that's part of the Fabaceaefamily. • Used type of soybean called "Edemame" in experiment. • Do not require much water or sunlight for growth.
Past Studies • High salinity levels in soil affect plant growth. • Germination is affected when plants are exposed unnatural compounds, such as road salt. • Runoff has a negative effect on vegetation.
Hypotheses • Null: The road salt runoff will not have an effect on the growth of Edamame Soybeans • Alternative: The road salt runoff will have an effect on the growth of Edamame Soybeans.
Materials • Growing containers • Espomaorganic potting soil • SafeStep road salt (2.1 tbsp) • Four water bottles (500 mL or 16.9 oz) • Measuring cup • Two feet long Jump Start growing light • Edamame Soybean seeds (12) • Plastic Wrap • Masking Tape and Sharpie • Ruler • Two tin trays
Procedure • Two tin trays were laid out, consisting of 2 growing containers each. Each container was labeled with it's concentration values. • Each growing container was filled with organic potting mix to the brim. • Three Edamame Soybean seeds were planted one inch below the soil in each growing container. • After the plantation of the seeds, the growing containers were covered with plastic wrap. • Concentrations were created for each saltwater solution.
Procedure (continued) • Each plant was exposed to 7 hours of sunlight per day. • Each plant was given a half an inch of water every three days. • Growth was recorded every three days until day 21. • After growth was over, dry and wet above, below, and total masses were weighted.
P-Value: 1.49E-07 Null = rejected
P-Value: 3E-06 P-Value: .0085 P-Value: 1E-06
Anova: Single Factor • Analysis of data that compares variation within groups to variation between groups. • Alpha 0.05 • If the p-value is below the alpha, then the effects are significant.
Dunnett's Test • Compares experimental Groups with the control • Determines which experimental group produced significant variation. • If T-value is > T-crit, then the results were significant.
Conclusion • All ANOVA's for the Edamame Soybeans presented a p-value lesser than 0.05, so the null hypothesiswas rejected. • Each Concentration of salt water had a significant effect on the height of the soybeans. All but the 1% concentration had a significant effect on the dry mass. • Soybeans with 1% and 2% experienced minimal height growth, while 3% experienced no height growth. • Germination seemed to be delayed for the experimental groups exposed to the road salt.
Limitations • Short growth time • Limited concentrated exposures • Only one species used • Amount of seeds was limited
Works Cited • Stromberg, Joseph. "What Happens to All the Salt We Dump On the Roads?" Smithsonian.com. Smithsonian Institution, 6 Jan. 2014. Web. 30 Nov. 2016 • "Growth Stages." Growth Stages : Growth and Development : Soybean Production : University of Minnesota Extension. University of Minnesota, 2011. Web. 30 Nov. 2016 • Gould, Ann. "Impact of Road Salt on Adjacent Vegetation." Plant & Pest Advisory. Rutgers University, 10 May 2016. Web. 30 Nov. 2016. • "Research Finds Salt Tolerance Gene in Soybean." Phys.org. University of Adelaide, 8 Jan. 2015. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.
Height Growth ANOVA P-Value: 0.000000149