2644 - CSUN ScholarWorks - California State University, Northridge

76 · Journal of Student Research Abstracts
2813
THE EFFECTS OF WAVELENGTHS ON PLANT GROWTH.
Elaine M. Wong and Steve DeGusta (teacher). John F. Kennedy High School, 6715 Gloria Drive,
Sacramento, CA 95831.
The purpose of this experiment was to determine if the Gymnospermae (pea plants) grown under white light
would attain greater heights in comparison to those grown under red or blue light. I believed that
Gymnospermae would grow best under white light because they would benefit from both the effective red and
blue wavelengths. I grew a group of ten Gymnospermae under white light, red light, and blue light. I grew these
plants in an enclosed chamber to reduce variables such as temperature. I created red and blue lights by covering
a light bulb with a sheet of red cellophane and by covering another bulb with a sheet of blue cellophane. I
found that white light did not produce a significant increase (chi square test: p>0.1) in the heights of the plants
grown under white light. The minor difference in these heights was due to chance alone. I performed a second
experiment to check the results of my first experiment. I once again found that white light did not produce a
significant increase in the heights of the plants. While the three groups of Gymnospermae attained similar
heights, the average height of a plant grown under red light was greater than the average height of a plant under
white or blue light. By performing these investigations, I conclude that plants do not grow significantly better
under white light; plants grown under red or blue light are not deprived of effective wavelengths. While white
light benefits from both red and blue wavelengths, red or blue light benefits from a concentrated amount of a
single effective wavelength.
2814
THE EFFECTS OF AMINO ACIDS ON PEA PlANT GROWTH.
Jared Ahmad Lee and Steve DeGusta (teacher). John F. Kennedy High School, 6715 Gloria Drive,
Sacramento, CA 95831.
In this investigation I tested whether the addition of arginine to a plant's water supply would precipitate a
significant increase in the height of wando pea plants. I planted a total of 24 plants (12 experimental, 12 control)
in potting soil. Unfortunately, eight of the plants never sprouted and one plant eventually died, so I was
left with a sample size of seven experimental plants and eight control plants. I grew the plants for 21 days and
measured them daily. I gave the control-group plants 2.5-ml of water per day, and the experimental group
received 2.5 ml of water with a concentration of 500 mg per liter of arginine. The experimental plants seemed
to be taller, thicker, and leafier than the control plants. It turned out that there was a significant difference
between the two groups of plants (t=3.4, p