The Effect of Allelochemicals on Plant Growth A project by: Cody Franko Period 10 Honors Biology

Problem and Hypothesis Problem Statement: How will a plant’s growth be affected if it is planted next to a sweet potato plant that releases high levels of allelochemicals? Hypothesis: If a plant is planted next to a sweet potato plant that releases high levels of allelochemicals, then the plant will not grow as efficiently.

Basic Concepts Allelopathy - The releasing of secondary metabolic products into the environment. Allelochemicals- chemicals that are released by volatilization in the form of edible tissues. Ipomoea Batatas- the scientific name for a sweet potato plant.

Basic Concepts Do the average garden plants release any allelochemicals, if so than how much do they release? What are the levels of allelochemicals released from a sweet potato plant? How should I water the plants, as one or two separate? Is there a set temperature the room should be while I grow these plants?

Procedure Plant all of the plants in the pots at different distances. Use sweet potato plants for allelochemicals and sunflower plant as average plant. Water daily with 150 mL of water Monitored growth

Design Diagram Levels5cm10cm15cm20cmControl: not planted next to sweet potato plant Trials66666 CONSTANTS: Same temperature water, same types of plants, same amount of sunlight, same soil, same amount of water.

Safety Precautions Do not consume plants or soil. Do not “Play” with pots they might break!

Results Control5 cm10cm15 cm20 cm Trial Trial Trail Trail Trail Trail Average Height 12.7 cm8.1 cm7.5 cm9.5 cm11.6 cm

Null Hypothesis Allelochemicals have no effect on plant growth.

Anova Test ANOVA: Results Source of Sum of d.f. Mean F Variation Squares Squares between error Total Significance of 0.00 Null can be rejected

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Conclusion Allelochemicals do have an effect on plant growth. Hypothesis was supported

Sources of Error Not exposed to enough Sunlight Not enough time given for plants to grow Inconsistent amounts of water

Improvements More trials Done in warmer and sunnier conditions More precise measurements

Extensions and Applications Do experiment with different plant types like weeds and fruits Useful for gardening techniques

Acknowledgements Mrs. Pietrangelo My Mom

Bibliography Ferguson, James, and Bala Rathinasabapathi. "Allelopathy: How Plants Suppress Other Plants." University of Florida, July Web. 5 Oct INDERJIT, and K. G. MUKERJI. Allelochemicals: Biological Control of Plant Pathogens and Diseases. Dordrecht: Springer, Print. Kavassalis, Catherine. "Allelopathy for the Home Gardener." Halton HELPs. Web. 05Oct Harrison, Howard, and Joseph Peterson. Allelopathic Effects of Sweet Potatoes onYellow Nutsedge and Alfalfa 34.4 (1986): Web. 5 Oct Hunter, Sheri. "Guidelines for Watering Indoor Plants." Guidelines for WateringIndoor Plants. 1 May Web. 5 Oct Wolford, Ron, and Drusilla Banks. "Sweet Potato - Vegetable Directory - Watch Your Garden Grow - University of Illinois Extension." University of Illinois. Web. 05 Oct