Ashli & Luca Bio Experts Extraordinaire

Introduction

Plants growing under conditions of mineral deficiency not only grow poorly, but also show in their physical appearance various signs of the deficiency sickness. So consistent are these symptoms that a trained observer can predict the mineral deficiency of a given soil by examining the plants growing in it.

Materials

12 Concentrated nutrient and mineral solutions
3 Square plant holders
5 Tomato seedlings
2 Volumetric flasks
3 Beakers
Tin Foil
Cotton
Paper Towels

Methods

Varius nutrient solutions were prepared in volumetric flasks according to the instructions given in the table and then filled to the brim with water. All 5  tomato seeding were rooted from their containers and their root hairs and roots were gently washed until clean and put on paper towels to dry. Two beakers were filled with complete solution and the third with distilled water. One of the beakers was filled with two times as much (MgSO4) as a part of the experimental group. 3 beakers were filled with 1 of the solutions each. One plant was placed in the distilled water, one in the complete solution, and three in the experimental solution.  Plant holders were put atop each beakers with the plant sticking out and the cotton as used to cork the excess holes. Tin foil was put around all 3 beakers and also the two volumtric flasks filled with solutions. All 3 beakers were put in an incubator and observed over a period of 3 weeks.