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The Effect of Fertilizer on the Growth of Plants
Lesson 6:
To examine the nitrogen cycle.
To relate the results of the soil tests to the growth of plants in an environment.
Nitrate fertilizers
Seedlings
Sterile potting soil
Small cups
Rulers
- While reading about abiotic factors, students learned about nutrient cycles including the nitrogen cycle. Based on the results of the chemical tests on the soil, it was apparent to them that a lack of appropriate soil nutrients is part of the Copper Basin revegetation problem. Students devised an experiment to test the effect of fertilizer on the growth of plants. A sample experiment can be found in the student section.
- The students discovered that fertilizers are harmful when in excess, but in the correct amounts, are necessary for plant growth. It is surprising how many students could not relate what they had read about the nitrogen cycle to the actual growth of plants.
- Students related the results of their experiments to the Copper Basin issue.
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