The Effect of Different Sources of Light on Potatoes Michael Whitmire

Abstract With the hypothesis being stated the potato with artificial light would grow the most it was to be tested. The light from the artificial light did not propel enough growth to grow more then the potato with sunlight as a resource. With potato A growing 19 inches and potato B growing 20 inches it was sure that using broad daylight was the key for maximum growth.

Hypothesis: If the potato has artificial light all the time, then it will grow faster than normal sunlight potatoes. Research Question: Will a potato grow faster with artificial light or sunlight?

Experimental Design Materials: 12 Toothpicks (Any Color) Three see-through plastic cups Lamp (Artificial Light) Water Knife Desk Three sweet potatoes Cutting Board Ruler Variables: Constant – Water level, temperature, toothpicks, desk, lamp lighting, and the cups. Dependent – Potatoes using the sunlight Independent – Potato using artificial light Control – Light

Procedure Put all three potatoes on a cutting board. Using the knife, cut the potatoes in half. You can discard three of the halves. With the toothpicks, put one on each side of each potato. Put each potato in a cup. Fill up the cup with water till it covers three cm of the potato. Put two of the cups in two different areas inside the house where they can receive sunlight Put the last cup in a closed environment with a lamp over it. Empty the water and refill it every two days. Repeat this last step for two weeks. Setup: Make sure the water is always clean by changing it every two days. Do it carefully or else you might accidentally take of roots.

Results and Discussion Days/PotatoesPotato A (Artificial Light) Potato B (Sunlight)Potato C (Sunlight) Day 1000 Day 2000 Day 3000 Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Day Potato A Grew the most with 20 Inches. Potato B grew the second most with 19 inches. Potato C died in week 9 with a result of.15 inches. Throughout most of the days Potato B was growing the most, but now Potato A even to this day is growing way faster then Potato B.

Results and Discussion The potato with sunlight ended up growing faster then the potato with artificial light. Although the potato B did grow faster at the start, it slowly stopped its substantial growth as then potato A did grow faster to throughout day 14 and more.

Conclusions Potato A was the potato with artificial sunlight. It was in the lead for growing for the most part until out of no where when Potato B started to grow ridiculously fast. As for potato it died in Day 9. In the end of the fourteen days Potato B grew the most. My hypothesis was not supported as I said the potato with artificial sunlight would grow the most.

Acknowledgements Parents Mrs. Richards