What effect do different salt concentrations have on Rotala Indica plant growth

Works Cited

1. Research Question What effect does salt concentration have on the Rotala Indica plant's growth as indicated by its mass one week later? Introduction Nano aquariums frequently contain Rotala Indica, an aquatic plant. It has phenotypic plasticity, which enables it to adjust to different environments. It can grow from about 5 cm to a maximum of 30 cm and has soft stems. Rotala Indica, a native of Southeast Asia, flourishes in wetlands and rice paddies (Ashouri et al., p 103528). The increasing salinity of freshwater brought on by human activities like mining, oil extraction, and groundwater discharge is the driving force behind this research question. This paper suggests an experiment that simulates changes in salt concentration in order to comprehend the effects of salt concentration on plant life. Rotala Indica was chosen because it belongs to the glycophyte class and is frequently used in freshwater aquariums. For the experiment, different salt concentrations ranging from 0% to 1.6% are used to simulate the salinity of seawater. These factors also relate to the 17 sustainability goals of the UN, particularly goal number 13 on climate action. The outlined changes provide proof of how global warming affects plant life. The purpose of this investigation is to clarify the effects of global warming. Not only is comprehending the impact of salt concentration on Rotala Indica vital to ecological researchers, but it plays a crucial role in practical applications like managing saltwater intrusion in coastal regions or refining irrigation methods used in agriculture. To gain greater clarity regarding salt concentrations' relationship with Rotala Indica's response, this study focuses on measuring mass as an indicator of growth progression. This examination yields rewarding understandings related to this plant species' adaptability and resilience within varying saline surroundings that are pertinent across multiple ecosystems. The comprehensive experimentation methodology applied, coupled with thorough data analysis, facilitates advancing scientific understanding pertaining to salinity stresses faced by crops, facilitating future research studies towards effective mitigation strategies addressable through policy or precision agriculture intervention programs. Moreover, studying the intricate interplay between plants and their environment has intrinsic value, challenging us by exploring puzzles furnished by both plant adaptability tendencies amid shifting environmental stressors. Investigation Hypothesis H1: Rotala indica will experience a reduction in growth overall if the concentration of NaCl is raised after one week. H0: Increasing the concentration of NaCl has no impact on Rotala Indica's overall growth. Background Information The Na+ ion, which is present in sodium chloride (NaCl), is essential for preserving the ionic balance in tissues and fluids (Amin et al., p581). However, moderate and high salt levels negatively affect the majority of plants. Due to high levels of inorganic ions like Na+ and Cl-, which lower water potential and cause osmotic stress, increased salinity inhibits plant growth. Osmotic stress happens when substantial changes in water potential impair regular cellular functions. On the other hand, because they can effectively balance and restrict the intake of Na+ ions, halophytes (seawater plants) can withstand moderate and high salt levels. They accomplish this through efficient cellular partitioning and translocation to the plant's shoots. Rotala Indica, a glycophyte, cannot tolerate salt, though. It cannot successfully restrict the intake of Na+ and Cl- ions when exposed to NaCl, which has a negative effect. This lends support to the idea that Rotala Indica's ability to withstand higher salt concentrations will prevent it from growing as NaCl concentrations rise. Variables Independent Variables Varied salt concentration solutions: 1.6% salt solution, 1.2% salt solution, 0.8% salt solution, 0.4% salt solution, and 0% salt solution Dependent Variable Biomass of Rotala Indica after one week (±0.001g) Controlled Variables Variable Controlled Reason Temperature Maintained at 27°C using a 27°C is the optimal temperature for thermometer Rotala Indica to ensure consistent growth The volume of Maintained at 800cm3 using a Ensures a consistent water volume Distilled Water measuring cylinder for each setup Number of Plants Maintained at 5 plants in each Prevents overcrowding, allowing 1000ml beaker adequate space for each plant to grow Mass of Soil Maintained at 200g of shrimp Provides a consistent medium for soil in each beaker anchoring the plants and promoting their growth Stirring Technique 30 stirs in the clockwise Ensures uniform dissolution of NaCl direction for all salt solutions in the distilled water Light Intensity Same number of light bulbs Maintains consistent light conditions (2) with 120 volts across all setups Humidity Maintained at 37% using a Ensures a consistent humidity level hygrometer for all setups Table 1: Controlled variables in the investigation List of Apparatus Apparatus Description Hygrometer ×1 Retort stands ×2 Light bulbs ×5, (120v) Shrimp Soil 1000g Rotala Indica cultures ×2 Measuring cylinder ×3, 100cm3 ( ± 1cm3) Spatula ×1 Aquarium tweezer ×1 Glass rod ×2 White tile ×3 Powdered NaCl 200g Electronic Balance ×1 (± 0.001cm3) Weighing boat ×2 1000cm3 Beaker ×5 Distilled water 4000cm3 Table 2: The apparatus list and their description Material Rotala indica Salt solu)on Figure 1; Material Procedure 1. 160g of shrimp soil should be weighed in a weighing boat using an electronic mass balance.
2. 2. A clean measuring cylinder should be used to add 100cm3 of distilled water to a 1000cm3 beaker.
3. 3. Use a spatula to scoop 16g of NaCl into a weighing boat, then weigh it with a mass balance.
4. 4. The distilled water in the 1000cm3 beaker should be mixed with 16g of NaCl.
5. 5. Using a glass rod, stir the mixture until all of the sodium chloride has disintegrated.
6. 6. The NaCl solution in the beaker should have 160g of shrimp soil added, and the dirt should be let to sink to the bottom.
7. 7. Place the cultured Rotala Indica in a water basin and add 3.5 liters of distilled water to it.
8. 8. After separating the plants and placing each one separately on a white tile, rinse the gel that is attached to the cultured Rotala Indica in the water basin.
9. 9. Use a mass balance to weigh each plant individually, then record the results.
10. 10. Five plants should be added to the NaCl solution and soil mixture using an aquarium tweezer. Make sure the plants are anchored by burying their roots beneath the soil surface to prevent floating.
11. 11. Mark the location of each plant in the solution and identify the mixture as the 1.6% salt solution setup.
12. 12. Put the 1.6% salt solution setup in a well-lit, enclosed space.
13. 13. Use an electronic balance to determine the Rotala Indica plants' final mass after one week.
14. 14. With different NaCl concentrations of 1.2%, 0.8%, and 0.4%, and a solution without salt, repeat steps (1) to (14). Follow the same procedure for 12g, 8g, 4g, and 0g of NaCl, respectively. Risk Assessment Safety Issues When handling powdered NaCl, eye protection is crucial to avoid coming into contact with it. Ethical Issues There were no unethical issues with the methodology used for this experiment. Environmental Issues Environmental concerns were not present during this experiment. Results: Qualitative Observations The Rotala Indica displayed a brighter green color in the no salt solution and 0.4% salt solution setups as opposed to the darker and paler green color seen in the 0.8%, 1.2%, and 1.6% salt solutions. Additionally, the 0.4% salt solution's Rotala Indica had a paler green hue than the no-salt solutions. Compared to the plants in the other setups, the Rotala Indica in the control setup (without salt solution) seemed more turgid. Of all the setups, the 1.6% salt solution produced the most flimsy plants. The Rotala Indica had the most leaves in the control setup, while the salt concentrations of 0.8%, 1.2%, and 1.6% had the fewest. Quantitative Observation 0% Mass (+0.001g) Plant No. Initial mass Final mass Difference in mass Change in mass (%) 1 0.380 0.499 0.119 31.04 2 0.401 0.523 0.122 30.16 3 0.380 0.496 0.116 30.17 4 0.410 0.542 0.132 31.94 5 0.351 0.457 0.106 30.28 Table 3: percentage change in mass for 0% salt solution 0.4% Mass (+0.001g) Plant No. Initial mass Final mass Difference in mass Change in mass (%) 1 0.434 0.482 0.048 10.79 2 0.400 0.447 0.047 11.46 3 0.421 0.465 0.044 10.20 4 0.463 0.513 0.050 10.55 5 0.442 0.493 0.051 11.33 Table 4: percentage change in mass for 0.4% salt solution 0.8% Mass (+0.001g) Plant No. Initial mass Final mass Difference in mass Change in mass (%) 1 0.426 0.342 -0.086 -19.90 2 0.419 0.324 -0.095 -22.90 3 0.428 0.337 -0.091 -21.49 4 0.442 0.348 -0.096 -21.48 5 0.402 0.309 -0.093 -22.93 Table 5: percentage change in mass for 0.8% salt solution 1.2% Mass (+0.001g) Plant Initial mass Final mass Difference in mass Change in mass (%) No. 1 0.397 0.223 -0.174 -43.68 2 0.413 0.236 -0.177 -42.36 3 0.454 0.264 -0.190 -41.71 4 0.454 0.271 -0.183 -40.17 5 0.405 0.226 -0.179 -43.94 Table 6: percentage change in mass for 1.2% salt solution 1.6% Mass (+0.001g) Plant Initial mass Final mass Difference in mass Change in mass (%) No. 1 0.427 0.208 -0.219 -51.41 2 0.453 0.216 -0.237 -51.98 3 0.401 0.190 -0.211 -52.36 4 0.417 0.197 -0.220 -52.65 5 0.462 0.229 -0.233 -50.32 Table 7: percentage change in mass for 1.6% salt solution Data Analysis Salt solution Average Difference (+0.001g) Average change in mass (%) 0% 0.117 30.72 0.40% 0.046 10.87 0.80% -0.091 -21.74 1.20% -0.178 -42.37 1.60% -0.222 -51.74 Table 8: Average change in mass and percentage change Sample Evaluation Calculation for; di f ference in m ass (g) = Fin al m ass (g) – Initial Mass (g) For the 1.6% salt solution ( plant 1): 0.208 − 0.427 = − 0.219 Calculation for; average di f ference in m ass = (Total di f ference in m ass for all 5 plants) / 5 For the 1.6% salt solution: ( − 0.219 − 0.237 − 0.211 − 0.220 − 0.233) / 5 = 0.222g Calculation for; percentage ch ange in m ass = (Di f ference in m ass) / (Initial m ass) × 100% For the 1.6% salt solution ( plant 1): ( − 0.219) / 0.427 × 100 = − 51.40% Average percentage ch ange in m ass = (Total percentage ch ange in m ass for all 5 plants) / 5 For the 1.6% salt solution: ( − 51.40 − 51.98 − 52.37 − 52.64 − 50.33) / 5 = − 51.74% Ma x % error = (Uncer taint y of electronic balance) / (lowest depen dent var iable value) × 100% 0.001 = × 100% 0.191 = 0.524% Regression Analysis The regression analysis provides an analysis of the correlation between the salt concentration and the percentage change in the mass of Rotala indica. The analysis is also utilized in the evaluation of the Anova to test the null and alternative hypotheses described in the hypothesis section above. The analysis is carried out by use of the data analysis tool back in Excel; Regression Statistics Multiple R 0.9703 R Square 0.941482 Adjusted R Square 0.912222 Standard Error 8.217369 Observations 4 ANOVA Significance df SS MS F F Regression 1 2172.779 2172.779 32.17732 0.0297 Residual 2 135.0503 67.52516 Total 3 2307.829 Standard Upper Coefficients Error t Stat P-value Lower 95% 95% Intercept 25.87 10.06418 2.570502 0.123847 -17.4327 69.17268 0 -5211.5 918.7298 -5.67251 0.0297 -9164.48 -1258.52 Table 9: The regression analysis table summary The correlation value of 0.9703 in the table above indicates a strong correlation between the salt concentration and the percentage change in Rotala indica mass. We reject the null hypothesis and accept the alternative one because the significant F value is less than 0.05, which leads us to draw the conclusion that Rotala indica grows less generally if the concentration of NaCl is increased after one week. Graph Rotala indica change in mass against salt sou1on y = -5454x + 28,78 Percentage mass change of pant 30 R² = 0,9705 -15 -30 -45 -60 0% 0% 1% 1% 2% Salt solu)on (%) Figure 2: Graph of mass change of Rotala indica against the concentration of the salt solution The graph displays a negatively sloped line demonstrating an inverse association between the concentration of the salt solution and the percentage change in Rotala indica mass. The correlation coefficient is 0.9705, a high correlation coefficient. Since there is a negative connection and the graph's slope is negative, we can see that the percentage change in the ass decreases as the salt content rises. Conclusion The findings show that the average percentage change in the mass of Rotala Indica decreases as the salt concentration rises. This suggests that salt concentrations that are both high and moderate have a negative effect on the mass of the plant. The alternative hypothesis (H1) that higher salt concentrations cause decreased growth is supported by the rejection of the null hypothesis (H0). Both the raw data and the graph, which show a consistent downward trend in the average percentage change in mass, support this conclusion. The higher Na+ and Cl- ion concentrations in the salt solutions are to blame for the mass loss. Due to the decrease in water potential in the solution, as a result, the cells of Rotala Indica have a lower water potential. Osmotic stress consequently develops, reducing photosynthesis and causing stomata closure, which ultimately results in a decrease in biomass (Chaudhry and Sidhu, 016). This finding was particularly clear in the salt solutions of 0.8%, 1.2%, and 1.6%, where there was a negative difference in biomass between the final and initial measurements. Less photosynthesis occurs in salt solutions with higher NaCl concentrations (Kwon et al., p832). Water moves from the Rotala Indica cells, which have a higher water potential, to the nearby salt solution, which has a lower water potential, as a result of osmotic stress. While ensuring a homogeneous mixture, this osmotic movement also lowers the water potential in Rotala indica cells (Gupta et al., p162757). A decrease in water potential results in a reduction in photosynthesis because there is less water available for the process, which needs water, carbon dioxide, and light as reactants. Additionally, osmosis causes Rotala indica cells to undergo plasmolysis, in which the cell membrane separates from the cell wall and lowers turgor pressure as a result. Higher salt concentrations were observed to cause the plant to become flaccid. The negative percentage change in mass observed in the 0.8%, 1.2%, and 1.6% salt solutions suggests that the Rotala Indica plants may eventually perish. Evaluation Strengths ● The Rotala Indica was able to carry out its metabolic functions to their fullest potential thanks to constant temperature monitoring at a specific time that guaranteed a constant temperature of 27°C. Thus, the concentration of salt was the only factor influencing plant growth. ● Consistent humidity checks kept the relative humidity in all setups at 37%, preventing condensation and keeping the salinity of the salt solution where it was supposed to be. ● The use of distilled water ensured that the concentration of salt was the only thing that mattered by removing any minerals that might have had an impact on plant growth. ● Different initial masses were taken into account, exponential growth was accommodated, and accurate mass differences were provided by computing the percentage change in mass. ● The precision and certainty of the experimental results were improved by a low maximum percentage error, which reduced systematic errors. Weaknesses ● No precise quantitative information, such as the number of leaves or height, was gathered. The rate of photosynthetic growth and general development of Rotala Indica may have been impacted by this lack of information. A more thorough analysis that would confirm or deny the hypothesis would be produced by taking these factors into account. ● Rotala indica's CO2 intake was not monitored, which might have had an effect on photosynthesis and plant development. A controlled variable and a more targeted analysis would have been made possible by monitoring carbon dioxide levels in the setups.
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