StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

The Effects of Fertilizer on Plant Growth - Research Paper Example

Cite this document
Summary
This research paper "The Effects of Fertilizer on Plant Growth" seeks to analyze the effects of fertilizer on plant growth. Fertilizer, a substance that is added to soil to help the growth of plants, adds nutrients and texture to the soil that is a need to provide proper nutrients for plants.
 …
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER92.3% of users find it useful
The Effects of Fertilizer on Plant Growth
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "The Effects of Fertilizer on Plant Growth"

?Hannah Gant Paola Barriga Sec-1916 The Effect of Fertilizer on Plant Growth Introduction This paper seeks to analyze the effects of fertilizer on plant growth. Fertilizer adds nutrients and texture to soil that is a need to provide proper nutrients for plants. Plant food and fertilizers have been known to help increase and speed up plant growth along with producing healthier plants. Fertilizer according to Webster dictionary is, “a substance (such as manure or a special chemical) that is added to soil to help the growth of plants.” Fertilizer can be of a natural or synthetic origin that is added to the soil or to the roots of the plants in order for a more rapid and healthy growing process. “A recent assessment found that about 40 to 60% of crop yields are attributable to commercial fertilizer use” (Coleman, Fuenta, and Mock 1978). There are many types of fertilizer out there today for the aid of plant growth. There are many ways to categorize types of fertilizers; they can be classified as either organic or inorganic. It can also be defined as a solid or a liquid fertilizer, along with different ingredients that produce different actions. “Organic fertilizer is all natural and includes things such as bat guano, compost, peat moss, wood ash and manure. These are general soil amendments. They don't burn or harm plants, and they can have long-term positive effects on the soil without damaging groundwater. Organic fertilizer, however, generally has lower nutrient concentrations than inorganic fertilizers” (Broschat and Moore 2003). Whereas inorganic fertilizer can be classified with the characteristics of. “Man-made and typically comes as a powder, pellets, granules or a liquid. Other chemicals that might be included in inorganic fertilizers include calcium, sulfur, iron, zinc and magnesium” (Broschat and Moore 2003). Research Questions 1. What are the specific effects of fertilizer on plant growth? 2. Are there any policies laid out by government organs to guide the application of fertilizers? 3. What support do farmers get from the government concerning the availability of fertilizers? 4. What challenges do agricultural institutions deal with when giving fertilizers to uninformed farmers? 5. What are the farmer’s views on alternative nutrients for plant growth? Methods Soil was mixed using a 1:1:1 ratio of pet moss, vermiculite, and potting soil. One scoop of the soil was collected and misted with water until it was moist. Four potting trays with six cells each were gathered. The cells were filled half way with the moist soil. Five osmocote pellets were added to each of the cells. The cells were completely filled with the remaining moist soil. A pencil was used to poke three tiny holes in each of the cells. A seed was placed at the top of each hole. The holes were then lightly covered with soil. Each of the cells was labeled one through twelve for the control group and the experimental group. A diamond wick was inserted into each of the cells halfway and was folded over at the bottom. This was to help water enter the cell. Two tubs were filled with water and two pieces of fabric for each tub were soaked and draped over the top of the boxes. Two antiagal tabs were added to each tub of water to prevent algae from growing. One control tray and one experimental tray were placed on each of the tubs. The trays were mixed up so that if something happened to one of the tubs, there would still be a tub that could be examined. The trays were placed under the fluorescent bulbs in the classroom. Plant height, number of leaves, and number of buds were collected each week. Water was added to the tubs weekly as well. Data was analyzed using statistical t-tests. Ethical Considerations Ethics are the moral codes which are followed in a research. These codes are binding and need to be followed irrespective of any circumstance which may surround the research since they give us a remembrance of the researcher’s responsibility towards the people being researched (Chapman and Shaw 2000). The following ethical considerations would be strictly adhered to when carrying out the study: Consent and information forms: Anyone who would participate in this research will be given and be requested printed consent form that would be attached as an appendix after the research. The consent form would clearly illustrate the aims and nature of the study and how important the study is (Costley, Elliott & Gibbs 2010). Participants in the study would do as voluntarily as will be clearly indicated in the consent form. The consent form will also seek to address information regarding any concerns about privacy, anonymity and confidentiality of the participants. Handling of Data: The researcher has no intention of indentifying any data record or analysis sheet despite the fact that the researcher will be able to access the names of the participants. All record sheets would be destroyed after the completion of the study. This will ensure that the privacy of the participants is not compromised in any way (Chapman and Shaw 2000). All interview transcripts would be code in a way that the participants’ name does not appear. To assure total confidentially of the participants, there is no indentifying information that would ever be published in the subsequent publications of the study results. Feedback to participants: The researcher intends to offer the main findings of the study to participants who provided their valid addresses. Potential Risks: Researchers should also avoid inflicting any harm to the informants. This will be based on the degree of risk involved as well as the magnitude of the consequences which may flow from the research. It is also an ethical consideration for the researcher to act to the best interests of the informants. This should be observed when formulating questions to the participants to avoid stress and anxiety to the participants. This project will not pose any risk of harm or humiliation to participants, to farmers or to the society at large. However, the researcher will employ a precautionary measure by ensuring that all participants get the necessary information in case they need assistance after completion of the project interviews as advocated by Chapman and Shaw (2000). Results and Discussions Participants in this study had varied responses to fertilizer placement among species used for to experiment the effects on plant growth. Some plants shoot dry weight in cases where fertilizer was top-dressed compared to the incorporated fertilizer. The results indicate that the performance of plants under similar conditions on fertilizer is very different. Other plants are not affected by the way in which the fertilizer is applied. For instance, plants such as bamboo fishtail and palms were not affected by the top-dressed fertilizer. However, it is no good to ignore the effect the fertilizer will have on these plants despite the fact that I might not affect their shoot dry weights. The experiments show that layering had a big impact on shoot dry weights compared to soil incorporation for plants such as hibiscus, Alexandra palms among other Chinese plants. It is necessary to note that the results for top-dressing in the Chinese plants showed similar results in the set conditions. Fertilizers play a significant role in growth of plants and farmers should establish which method of dressing best fit their plants. Some plants would perform better with layering while others perform excellently when fertile is top-dressed. Farmers should seek services of consultants to help them understand how best they can maximize plant growth through applying fertilizer in the process of plant development. References Chapman, C., & Shaw, A. 2000. Pragmatics in practice: A group approach. Unpublished paper, Lanarkshire Health Care Trust. Costley, C., Elliott, G. & Gibbs, P. 2010 Doing Work Based Research: Approaches to Enquiry for Insider- Researchers, London, Sage. Coleman, R.A., T. Mock, and T. Furuta. (1978). Effectiveness of Osmocate fertilizer influenced by placement and dosage. Calif Agr. 32(5):12-23 Paper Sources Biological fertilization" by Miransari Influence of compressed fertilizer tablets containing sulfur and growth medium amendments of dolomitic limestone and superphosphate  on nutrient release and azalea growth" by Ingram and Yeager Influence of fertilizer placement on plant quality, root distribution, and weed growth in container- grown tropical ornamental plants"  by Broschat et al  Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“The Effects of Fertilizer on Plant Growth Research Paper”, n.d.)
Retrieved de https://studentshare.org/biology/1461442-the-effects-of-fertilizer-on-plant-growth
(The Effects of Fertilizer on Plant Growth Research Paper)
https://studentshare.org/biology/1461442-the-effects-of-fertilizer-on-plant-growth.
“The Effects of Fertilizer on Plant Growth Research Paper”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/biology/1461442-the-effects-of-fertilizer-on-plant-growth.
  • Cited: 31 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF The Effects of Fertilizer on Plant Growth

Report which critically assesses the reasons for the success or failure of an innovation

roductThe product identified for this purpose is the launch of the Azotobactor bacterial based bio fertilizer by the company that is being considered.... As an effort towards test marketing the company did sell some of the products in Bio fertilizer range that they have been selling in UK for six months before going for a full fledged launch of these fertilisers....
12 Pages (3000 words) Essay

Response of Grass to Chemical Fertilizers

Parameters on plant height and dry matter accumulation in 5 pots at random were recorded at 10days intervals.... The response of fertilizer was due to supply of balanced primary plant nutrients from external source which resulted in significant growth attributing characters. Do not put any fertilizer in pot E-1, 2 & 3 (Control).... If the difference exceeds the CD value then the treatments were different from each other or in other words the application of fertilizer was having significant effect on the grass height and dry matter accumulation....
5 Pages (1250 words) Research Paper

Plant experiment only methodology

This experiment analyzes the effect The effect of fertilizers on plant growth Introduction: The increased human population has necessitated the optimization of yields obtained from food plants (Huifeng, Zhenghui and Qiangsheng).... This experiment analyzes the effect of fertilizers on plant growth by measuring parameters such as shoot height, stem diameter and root length in two groups of the same plant grown over two months: one grown with fertilizers, and the other without....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

Human Urine: A Possible Alternative in Organic Farming

Studies on human urine have shown its vital use as an alternative organic fertilizer as long as the correct amount of nitrogen must be present to be able to avoid the effects of excessive nitrogen and salts in the soil.... Human urine… s one type of waste that some scientists have studied to be a good organic fertilizer because of its organic chemical constituents that may aid in plant growth.... Human urine is one type of waste that some scientists have studied to be a good organic fertilizer because of its organic chemical constituents that may aid in plant growth....
3 Pages (750 words) Lab Report

Benefits of Organic Fertilizer: Composting

hellip; Organic fertilizers are carbon-based compounds that increase output and growth quality of plants, and they are mainly made from plant or animal residues (Saddleback58).... In addition, organic fertilizers improve the soil by retaining moisture in it, prevent plant diseases and provide slow-release plant nutrients, and increase soil organic matter content among others (Morris 21).... The paper "Benefits of Organic fertilizer: Composting" discusses the various benefits of organic fertilizer including its benefits to lakes, soil, and the environment as a whole....
6 Pages (1500 words) Term Paper

Using Biopesticides as a Promising Alternative to Chemical Pesticides

Biological tools, which are living organisms, are a conclusive and confident solution to the effects of the Green Revolution since they provide the use of living organisms to solve problems of fertilization and pests' control.... The consistent and appreciating acidification of soil colloids, residual effect of chemical compounds, loss and disruption of soil structure, the killing of free-living and symbiotic micro-organisms in the soil as well as a broad environmental impact of global warming are just but a few of the tremendous effects of consistent use of agrochemicals that were acquired commercially....
23 Pages (5750 words) Thesis

Plant Biosecurity

The paper also discusses some of the effects of pests and diseases and the various mechanisms that farmers can adopt in order to increase their farm yields (Petzoldt & Seaman).... The increase in insect populations increases the chances of new species that may have devastating effects on plant crops.... … The paper “plant Biosecurity - Factors Contributing to Increased Pests, Carbon Dioxide Levels and plant Pathogens, Monoculture and plant Health” is a worthy variant of coursework on biology....
12 Pages (3000 words) Coursework

Nitrogen Use Efficiency with Nitrification Inhibitors

The environmental effects of this loss call for effective management practices.... Advances in agriculture and the dangers that nitrogen emissions pose to the entire globe has prompted research and improvements in measures aimed to contain the loss and mitigate the underlying effects....
6 Pages (1500 words) Coursework
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us