The effect of the application of caffeine on the Marigolds will be the slowing of its growth rate from lack of nutrition

1. The effect of the application of caffeine onthe Marigolds will bethe slowing of its growth rate from lack of nutrition Sampson Fletcher, Thy Nguyen, Olivia Sisopha Lincoln High School Advanced Plant Biology Period 3

2. For our ongoing experiment, we asked a simple question: what would happen if we watered with diet coke? The experiment was designed to show the effects of caffeine on marigolds over a set period of about a month. Previous experiments in the past have led to near similar conclusions of a decrease in growth rate

3. Purpose Our purpose of doing this experiment is to see the results of marigolds when caffeine is applied. Seemed simple with the most obvious results with enough sufficient data to prove our theory.

4. Problem (Testable Question) How does the addition of caffeine when applied to plants affect the growth rate of the 120 Marigolds when applied?

5. Hypothesis If Caffeine is applied to the 120 Marigolds, the growth rate will decrease because of its high content of caffeine that lacks the nutrition necessary to excel plant growth.

6. Variables Manipulated Variable: Caffeine which is applied to our 120 Marigolds Responding Variable: The growth rate of our 120 Marigolds with the application of Caffeine Controlled Variable: Sterile greenhouse soil, Flats containing Marigolds, Six packs

7. Experimental Control: 60 Marigolds without the application of Diet Pepsi/Coke Validity Measures: Clean hands to apply our caffeine, clean cups to effectively apply our caffeine

8. Abstract The overall objective of the project was to observe the effects of the application of caffeine on the growth rate of plants. To do this we applied exactly 1 liter of both coke and pepsi, to an equal number of 60 plants per pack. Over the course of about 3 months we would regularly record the growth rate of all 3 flats, comparing the control (in this case the flat with only water) to the results of the flats with the application of diet coke and pepsi. The results produced show a significant difference between those with water and those with the caffeine. Towards the last measurement it could be concluded that there was an average difference of over 1.5 centimeters in growth. From this project overall it can be concluded that with the application of caffeine on a set number of fast plants, you will see, after a set period of time( at the least 2 months) a significant loss in growth rate for those with caffeine, and a continuous steady growth for those with water. The difference is quite obvious

9. Materials 3 packs Marigold seeds Fertilizer 3 Flats (Housing 60 Marigolds each) Potting soil (3 pots) 1 2 liter Diet Coke 1 2 liter Diet Pepsi Natural Water

10. Flats are given an equal amount of potting soil and fertilizer Plant seeds are added and set in greenhouse, until time of transplanting Marigolds are transplanted into 3 flats each housing 60 Marigolds Water is applied to the control, while an equal application of Diet Coke is added to the 2nd flat, with Diet Pepsi added to the 3rd Every watering period, repeats step 3 and record what you see each period Methods

11. Data

12. Data Continue =]

13. Conclusion From this project overall it can be concluded that with the application of caffeine on a set number of fast plants, you will see, after a set period of time( at the least 2 months) a significant loss in growth rate for those with caffeine, and a continuous steady growth for those with water. The difference is quite obvious

14. References Http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/sep2001/1001380272 http://www.medicine-related.com/Articles/How_Does_Caffeine_Effect_The_Growth_Of_Plants.php http://www.cababstractsplus.org/google/abstract.asp?AcNo=20053118459