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What are the Optimum Conditions for Tomato Seedling Growth? - Coggle…
What are the Optimum Conditions for Tomato Seedling Growth?
What do plants need to survive and grow?
Temperature
Temperature plays a big role as the rate at which photosynthesis and other metabolic activities occur in plants is influenced by it.
Humidity
Plant transpiration, respiration, and susceptibility to fungal infections are all affected by atmospheric humidity levels. Maintain the right humidity levels is crucial for plant growth.
Soil
Soil pH
The pH of the soil affects the nutrient available. Since different plants require different pH levels, it's important to keep the soil at the right pH level for optimum growth.
Soil gives structural support to the plant as well as provide nutrients and water.
Nutrients
Plants require essential nutrients for growth, including macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and micronutrients (iron, manganese, zinc), which are obtained from the soil.
Salinity
Salinity is important as elevated salt levels in soil or water can affect seed germination, create osmotic stress, ion toxicity, and nutritional imbalances. This is not optimal for plant growth so the salinity levels should be maintained.
Light
Light is essential for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into sugar for growth and development. For plants to generate their own sustenance and maintain a variety of functions, they require light.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) during the process of photosynthesis. It produces sugars and oxygen when combined with light energy and water. Sufficient CO2 concentrations are essential for plant growth.
Water
Water is a primary component of plant cells, and it plays a vital role in various physiological processes. One of the main constituents of plant cells is water, which is essential to many physiological functions. It is also required for the movement of nutrients throughout the plant.
What conditions can be changed in the lab that will affect one of the factors?
Soil
Soil pH
Adjusting the soil pH by adding lemon juice and acidic substances can change the soil pH condition and affect this factor.
The type of soil that is being used when planting the tomato seedlings can be changed. This will change the soil factor.
Temperature
In the lab, the plants can be placed in difference places e.g one in an incubator, one in a fridge and one in a room to change the different temperatures of the plants. This would affect the temperature factor of the plant. Although, this would not be a fair test as it is also changing the light levels that the plants are receving as well.
Humidity
Covering some plants with plastic or glass cups creates an enclosed environment and can trap the moisture, creating a more humid environment.
Nutrients
Using the same type of soil that consists of different types of nutrients can change the factor of nutrients. Another way to do this is by adding different amounts of fertiliser into the plants so that each plant has a different level of nutrition.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
While Carbon Dioxide levels are harder to control in a lab environment there are still some possibilities. Placing the plants in different places where one place has less ventilation while another area has more ventilation. This changes the Carbon Dioxide levels that each plant recevies that changes this factor.
Water
This is a simple factor to change the condition of as all that has to be changed is the amount of water the plant is given. Every time the plants are watered, each plant can be given a different amount of water to ensure that the water levels of each plant is different.
Salinity
The salinity levels of the plant can be changed by being increased or decreased. To decrease the salinity levels the water used to water the plants can be purified or distilled water so there is minimal sodium levels in the water. Inversely, the salinity levels can be increased by adding salt to the water that is being used to water the plants. This will allows the plant to absord more salt.
Light
The condition of light levels can be changed by placing the plants in different locations. e.g In a cupboard, by the window, in a corner etc. This changes the amount of light each plant receives and alters the factor of light.
How do the experimental conditions compare to the possible conditions on Mars?
Temperature
The temperature on Mars is significantly lower as it is father away to the sun. By decreasing or changing the temperature that the plants are exposed to it is mimicking the colder temperature on Mars. Unlike Earth, plants would not be able to survive out in the wild on Mars.
Humidity
Mars's atmosphere is incredibly dry during the day time due to the temperature on Mars. At night Mars achieves 100% humidity. By creating a humid environment it mimics Mars's humid atmosphere at night.
Soil and Soil pH
The soil on Mars consists of a significant amount of Iron which is what gives Mars its red colour. In the experiment, components in the soil will be changed to mimic the soil on Mars. This includes addding iron, rocks, etc. Eath's soil can range from 3.5-10 while Mars's soil pH is around 8.5. Therefore, the soil pH levels are similar.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Earth's atmosphere is made up of about 0.04% CO2 while Mars's atmosphere is made up of about 95.3% CO2. Changing the CO2 levels and oxygen levels in the experiment is similar to the CO2 conditions on Mars
Light
As Mars is further away from the Sun compared to the Earth, it receives less sunlight. Limiting and altering the amount of sunlight that each plant received in the experiment is similar to the low light level conditions on Mars
Water
Unlike Earth, water is scarce in Mars which makes obtaining water for growing plants a challenge. Limiting and changing the amount of water each plant receives is similar to the low water level condition on Mars.
Salinity
Martian soil consists of different salts and minerals that can affect the growth of plants. In the experiment, adjusting the salinity of the plants can mimic the salinity conditions of Mars.
How will the growth be measured?
There are many ways that the growth of the tomato seedling can be measured including:
Height, measuring the plant's height from the growing medium or soil to the main stem's tip
Number of Leaves, a plant's growth and general health can be inferred by counting the number of leaves on it.
Diametre of Main Stem, the main stem's thickness or girth can be measured to get an idea of the plant's structural growth.