Examining the Impact of various water types on Plant Growth
Abstract
The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the influence of different solutions on plant growth. Lima bean seeds were divided into five groups and provided with different types of water – distilled, filtered, tap, bottled, and flavored – for a duration of nine weeks. The research observed both the quality and quantity of the plants’ growth. The findings showed that filtered water had the greatest impact on plant growth, followed by bottled water. On the other hand, distilled, tap, and flavored water did not yield similar results.
Introduction
Plants, like humans, need food and nutrients to grow. Different types of water have different chemicals and minerals. Some are good for plants, while others can harm them. Horticulture experts have done tests that show distilled water is the best choice for watering plants. Distilled water goes through a process that removes all chemicals and minerals, so it’s pure and safe. In contrast, tap water, filtered water, and flavored water have many chemicals and minerals, including high levels of chlorine that can hurt plants. This experiment aimed to confirm the experts’ findings by testing if distilled water is truly the best option. It also looked at whether tap water, filtered water, and flavored water could be risky for plants because of their chemical content.
Materials
10 lima beans
5 plastic cups
Potting Soil
2 bottles of tap water
2 bottles of filtered water
2 bottles of distilled water
2 bottles of bottled water
2 bottles of flavored water
Ruler
Method
To conduct this experiment, all the lima beans were soaked in a moistened paper towel containing distilled water for 24 hours before planting. Two lima beans were then planted into each plastic cup, with two cups of soil provided in each cup. Each seed was planted in the middle section between the two cups of soil. Throughout a nine-week period, twice a week, the plants were irrigated using equal amounts of different types of water. The growth in height was measured for each plant over the course of the nine weeks.
A nine-week experiment showed that filtered water was the most favorable for plant growth, contradicting the beliefs of horticulture specialists and landscapers. Surprisingly, distilled water, previously considered the best option, turned out to be one of the worst choices. Data was collected twice a week throughout the experiment to monitor plant progress. The data revealed no improvement until the third week (Fig. 1-1.3), at which point two out of five plants had sprouted using filtered and tap water. However, within a week, the tap water-sprouted plant had died (Figures 1.3 and 1.4). This outcome was not unexpected based on previous research indicating that tap water is not ideal for watering plants.
At the end of the nine weeks, results were unforeseen as both filtered and bottled water plants had sprouted and grown while tap, distilled, and flavored plants failed to produce any sprouts at all. Figure 2.0 clearly illustrates this significant difference in final outcomes among all five plants from the experiment. It is also important to acknowledge potential errors in conducting this experiment.
Further investigation was carried out to examine the reasons behind the obtained results. It was found that certain factors were overlooked, which could have impacted the outcome of the experiment. One factor that was identified is the absence of drainage holes in the container where the seeds were planted. The lack of these holes may have caused an accumulation of excess water at the bottom of the cup, causing both soil and seed decay. This discovery potentially clarifies why no sprouting occurred in plants that received distilled and flavored water. Excessive watering is also considered as another potential source of error. The potting soil may have absorbed water at varying rates, resulting in uneven watering. Consequently, some plants may not have required additional water by their next scheduled watering time.
In order to maintain consistency in the experiment, all plants were given the same amount of water, regardless of their individual needs. This decision could have resulted in the tap water plant dying and a new plant failing to sprout. Another potential mistake is the influence of natural factors. Despite being positioned near a window, the plants might not have received enough sunlight or may have been exposed to extreme temperatures that impeded their development. Over the course of nine weeks, there was fluctuating weather with daily shifts between cold and warm temperatures. This inconsistent climate could have impacted plant growth. Insufficient sunlight may also have hindered full maturation.
These natural environmental factors may have impacted plant growth, leading to errors and modifications. To enhance future experiments, it is advised to utilize containers that have adequate drainage for planting plants. Similarly, adjusting the quantity of water utilized and decreasing the frequency of weekly watering is recommended. Additionally, conducting the experiment under more consistent temperature conditions is suggested.
References
House Plants/ Type of Water for House Plants
http://en.allexperts.com/q/House-Plants-721/Type-water-house-plants.htm
Water Quality and Plants
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water-education3/3-water-plants-page2.htm
Watering is crucial for the health of your plants. To learn more about why watering is important, you can go to this website.
The article titled “Watering Plants With Distilled Water” explores the utilization of distilled water for plant irrigation. To access the complete article, visit http://www.professorshouse.com/Your-Home/Gardening-Plants/General/Articles/Watering-Plants-with-Distilled-Water/.
