2644 - CSUN ScholarWorks - California State University, Northridge

2805
journal of Student Research Abstracts · 73
HALTING THE HEIGHT OF THE HEDERA IVY VINE.
Sheryl Christina Chow and Steve DeGusta (teacher). John F. Kennedy High School, 6715 Gloria Drive,
Sacramento, CA 95831.
In this experiment, I used Roundup Ready-To-Use and applied it to the soil ofHederalvy, hoping for effects
of restricted height growth while keeping the plant healthy and alive. The Hedera Ivy Vine, along with many
other vines are often overgrown and tend to choke trees once turning arborescent. Glyphosate, a nonselective
herbicide kills plants when applied to the foliage. I wanted to test whether Roundup would stunt the vine's
height when applied to the soil. Each day, Roundup was added to three groups of three plants at different concentrations.
Two control plants were given only tap water. After nine days, the dosage of Roundup was
increased in the experimental plants as no significant height change resulted. After nine more days of the
increased dosage, once again no significant height difference resulted between the control plants and those to
which Roundup was applied. In the experimental plants to which the highest concentration of Roundup was
added, a slight health decline was noted but was not significant. I can therefore conclude that no significant
height difference results due to the addition of Roundup in the soil of a plant. Additional plants were used in
the middle of the lab to test extremely high dosages of Ready Roundup and Roundup SuperConcentrate. The
plants to which these products were applied reacted much more quickly and steadily declined in health. The
height did decrease along with the health, but was a direct result of shriveling and droopiness of stems and
leaves. Although these plants to which higher concentrations of Roundup was added were affected, the results
did not restrict the growth of the vine without harming the health.(P>.1)
2806
INHIBITING THE GERMINATION OF CHERRY BELLE RADISH SEEDS USING
PINE NEEDLES AND PINE NEEDLE ASHES.
Keith Masuda and Steve DeGusta (teacher). John F. Kennedy High School, 6715 Gloria Drive, Sacramento,
CA 95831.
This was a two part experiment aimed at proving the benefits of a technique foresters use called prescribed
burning. In the first part I investigated the inhibition of germination of radish seeds when exposed to dead pine
needles. In five experimental petri dishes I placed 10 seeds and 10 pine needles that were divided into thirds.
There were also five control dishes that contained 10 seeds each. The seeds were observed at 24 hour intervals
for any signs of germination. After three days I was able to conclude that there existed an unknown variable
that did inhibit the germination of the radish seeds (p