Effects of light source on plant growth.

1. Effects of light source on plant growth. Cody Britton, Undergraduate Student (Fisheries Biology), Department of Biology, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN 38505

2. Project Summary • Objective : To learn the most effect light source for plants. • Hypothesis: Plants grow faster and larger in natural light than in artificial light. • Null Hypothesis: Plants grow faster and larger in artificial light than in natural light. • Expected result is to reject the null hypothesis.

3. Introduction or Background • Problem: Do plants grow faster outdoors in natural light or indoors under an artificial grow light? Literature Citations: Malarkey T. Human health concerns with GM crops. Mutat Res 2003; 544 (2–3): 217–21. Murakami, K., Aiga, I., Horaguchi, K. and Morita, M. 1997. RED/FAR-RED PHOTON FLUX RATIO USED AS AN INDEX NUMBER FOR MORPHOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PLANT GROWTH UNDER ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING CONDITIONS. Acta Prescott, VE, Campbell, PM, Moore, A., Mattes, J., Rothenberg ME, Foster PS, Higgins, TJ, Hogan, SP. (2005). Transgenic expression of bean alpha-amylase inhibitor in peas results in altered structure and immunogenicity. J Agric Food Chem, 53(23):9023-30. The Influence of Light Intensity and Light Quality Upon the Growth of Plants Hardy L. Shirley American Journal of Botany, Vol. 16, No. 5 (May, 1929), pp. 354-390 Yanagi, T. and Okamoto, K. 1997. UTILIZATION OF SUPER-BRIGHT LIGHT EMITTING DIODES AS AN ARTIFICIAL LIGHT SOURCE FOR PLANT GROWTH. Acta Hort. (ISHS) 418:223-228

4. Objective/Hypothesis • Null Hypothesis: Plants grow faster and larger under artificial light than under natural light. • Hypothesis: Plants grow faster and larger under natural light than under artificial light.

5. Methods and Materials • Experimental Design: One group of plants will be placed outside in natural light. The other group will be inside under artificial light. There will be different cups planted in different densities. Both groups will receive the same quantity of water. After a set number of weeks, the indoor group and the outdoor group will be measured. An indoor average and outdoor average will be determined.

6. Scientific Matrix Step 1:Make an Observation. An Observation is information that is obtained either directly or indirectly via the senses Plants seem to grow better in natural light. Step 2:State the Problem. You cannot solve a problem until you know exactly what it is. Do plants grow better in natural light than in artificial light? Step 3:Research the Problem. What will it take to solve my problem?Search the Literature to see what other research has found out about my problem. What do I know, and need to know, about my problem?                          Plants outside seem to be larger.

7. Scientific Matrix Cont. Step 4:Form a Hypothesis- Null Hypothesis A possible solution to my problem.The simplest solution is often the best solution! Hypothesis: Plants grow faster and larger in natural light than in artificial light. Null Hypothesis: Plants grow faster and larger in artificial light than in artificial light. Step 5:Test the Hypothesis- Experimental Design Method & Materials Perform experiment following the Experimental Design to see if your null hypothesis can be "accepted or rejected." To test this I will watch create two groups of plants, one inside and one outside and monitor growth. Step 6:Draw Conclusions from the data. Data will be evaluated to generate results of my experiment. In its simplest form, there are only two possible conclusions [accept or reject null]: Expected to reject null hypothesis.

8. Results/Data Form

9. Expected Results and Benefits • It is expected to reject the null hypothesis therefore accepting the hypothesis. • It is beneficial to know which growing methods are the most productive and cost effective.

10. Project Timeline

11. Budget Personnel- $11,000 Equipment – $1,500 Growlights - $1,500 Materials and Supplies - $1,000 Seeds - $500 Soil - $100 Pots - $400 Travel - $500 Total Costs – 14,000