Effects of Different Properties in Water on Plant Growth and Production of Fruit By Cynthia Drake

I want to know whether or not the different properties in water will effect the growth rate and fruit production of plants?

What are the different properties I will test for and how will I obtain the information? Using a YSI (Yellow Springs Instruments) I will measure: salinity, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature of the different water samples.

Where will the four water samples come from?

Tap Water

Distilled Water

Pasquotank River & Newbegun Creek

The Pasquotank River

Pasquotank River

New Begun Creek

Newbegun Creek

What procedures am I going to use? First I will plant tomato seeds using the same type of soil and pot. I will place the pots together in a location in my back yard. I will collect water from the four sources and take the measurements previously mentioned recording them in a logbook. I will then water all four pots with the same amount of water within the same time frame.

During the research period I will take digital pictures to record the growth and to use as a comparison for all four plants. When fruit is produced, if at all, I will record how much by counting each piece. If there is a size difference in the fruits I will notate that also.

The goal of my research is to prove that water from natural sources such as a river or creek will produce a higher quality plant which produces a higher yield of fruits or vegetables.

What I actually did Saturday June 21, 2008 Planted tomatoes using 40 lbs Hyponex potting soil 4 Tbs Agrosoke® water crystals 1 Tbs Osmocote® fertilizer Approx 4 gallons of water from each source

Hyponex Potting Soil

The Beginning

Gathering water from Newbegun Creek

Newbegun Creek

Plants July 14, 2008

July 14, 2008 June 21, 2008

Only one little tomato

Thank you Photos taken by Michaela Drake Questions?