THE EFFECTS OF INTRASPECIFIC AND INTERSPECIFIC

different niches could cooperate. The stalk length was too variable to place a trend upon,
so for that the null hypothesis can be accepted, meaning there is no significant difference
in pea stalk height based on competition. Eventually, though, plants with longer roots
will do better competitively than plants with shorter roots, for they can reach more
nutrients and have more surface area to absorb water, so if the experiment was continued
past 17 days, these plants with longer roots could have grown longer stalks as well.
The conclusions reached in this lab verify the statement put forth in 1970 by
Alexander et al. that intraspecific competition is more damaging, for plants of the same
species have the exact same needs and adaptations. The wheat root lengths were hurt
more by increased density among other wheat plants than among the same number of
peas. For example, the mean root length of 5 wheat seeds per pot was 9.86 cm, which
was less than the mean root length of 3 wheat and 2 pea seeds per pot (10.55 cm). It is
the same density, but that addition of peas instead of wheat yields longer roots. The
increase in root length in one pea grown with one wheat seed versus one pea grown alone
supports Sullivan’s statement that intercropping can be beneficial. However, this
increase could be inflated because there was not enough pea data.
When retrying such an experiment, there are several design changes that should
be made. First, fresh seeds that have a higher probability of germination should be used.
In this study, two year old Alaskan pea seeds that had been stored in a plastic bag had
been used, and not very many actually germinated. Also, learning how to lightly add pot
soil on top may help, for it may have been too packed for some seeds to grow in this
experiment. In addition, it would be more controlled to have all the pots on one tray
under the same light, so the resources being received are the same. To create more
10