EcoBottle Lab Report

Introduction: Our group chose topic B lab that deals with the rates of seed germination based on
inorganic and organic fertilizers using Lima beans. There are advantages and disadvantages of
using either one, even no fertilizer at all. Organic fertilizers such as manure and compost directly
derived from plants and animals. Inorganic fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate or phosphate go
through a manufacturing process. Penhallegon says, One of the most difficult things to
determine for an organic gardener is how much organic fertilizer to use, say on 1,000 square feet
of garden. (2008) Organic fertilizers contain plant nutrients in low concentrations that changes
into an inorganic form by soil bacteria and fungi before use. Bacteria and Fungi have to
decompose organic fertilizer before plants can acquire them. Nutrients are released slowly during
cold weather when soil microbes are not as active. Many inorganic fertilizers are concentrated
and extremely soluble, which can damage plants if too much is applied. Other than that, the
amount of soil that is available for rooting is an important factor that influences vegetable
growth. A physical property focuses on the size and shape of spaces between the particles
arrangements also known as Pore Space. V.A. Haby, M.L. Baker, and S. Feagley states, As
such, the soils physical, chemical, and biological properties affect plant growth. (n.d) Also, the
properties of soil are so important that if not done correctly, may cease the plant growth.

Citations:
Heres the scoop on chemical and organic fertilizers. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2016, from
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/node/955

By concentrating phosphorus in a band, the plant is given what it needs and less of the
phosphorus becomes tied up in the soil. (n.d.). Vegetable Resources. Retrieved November 04,
2016, from http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/guides/texas-vegetable-growershandbook/ chapter-iii-soils-fertilizers/

Experimental Design:
Problem Question: Do lima beans grow faster with organic fertilizer or inorganic fertilizer?
Hypothesis: If we place three seeds in organic fertilizer, it should grow faster than inorganic
because it is derived from plants and animals and helps insects from not consuming them.
IV: Seeds, organic fertilizer, inorganic fertilizer
DV: Growth of the seeds
CG: Seeds without fertilizer
EG: Seeds with fertilizer
Materials and Methods:
We propose that we will plant two plants of the same kind and place them in the same amount of
soil and fertilizer. They are placed in a viewable handmade bottle. Over the next couple of
weeks, our group is looking for any type of growth between organic, inorganic, or no fertilizer.
Three bottles are used to help us compare. Lots of sun and water is needed to test it out.

Graph

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this experiment showed how inorganic and organic fertilizers could affect the
growth of plants. The data proved that inorganic fertilizer is better than organic fertilizer and no
fertilizer. In addition, it shows that the bean plant with no fertilizer grows at a faster rate than the
bean plant with organic fertilizer. Nothing grew in the organic bottle. This experiment has proven
that the best method is inorganic fertilizer.