Inorganic or Organic Eco Bottle

Introduction: The process that involves a seed growing roots is known as seed germination. The
use of inorganic and organic fertilizers can affect the rates of germination based on the plant
nutrients. According to the paper, the combined use of chemical and organic fertilizers or bio
fertilizer for crop growth and soil fertility, fertilizers are used in addition to the nutrients given by
the soil. Chen states that inorganic fertilizers are a fast and contain vast amounts of nutrients. On
the overhand organic fertilizers do not provide enough nutrients and cannot keep up with the
plant's requirements.
In the article Composting Animal Manures, Chris Augustin talks about the benefits of using
organic fertilizers such as compost. His research also proved that using both raw manure and
compost the best fertilizer for crops. Compost is the rich is nutrients needed for the germination
of seeds. Although compost is filled with needed nitrogen, plants need phosphorus and potassium
to grow. According to Augustin, the ratios between carbon and nitrogen need to be 30 to 1.
Manure is safe for the environment and is also good for the soil.
In the article, Here is the scoop on chemical and organic fertilizers, Carol Savonen provides
some examples of organic fertilizers are manure, compost, or products produced from plants/
animals. According to Savonen a good source for nitrogen comes from plant roots. The benefits
of using organic fertilizer are that it reduces soil crusting, improve the movement of water and
structure in soil. Although inorganic fertilizers contain more nutrients, chemical fertilizers can
provide too many nutrients to your plant and kill them. The best soil contains calcium or wood
ashes, so the soil is not as acidic. Savonen believes fertilizer needs to contain a 12-11-2 ratio
of, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Experimental Design:
Problem Question: Seed germination rates based on inorganic and organic fertilizers or other
independent variables.
Hypothesis: If we use inorganic fertilizers, the rate of seed germination will increase faster than
organic fertilizers because of the chemical fertilizer have a higher amount of nutrients than
organic fertilizers.
Independent Variable: types of fertilizer
Dependent Variable: rate of seed germination
Control Group: top soil
Experimental Group: inorganic or organic fertilizer
Materials & Methods:
First, we cut the cut three 2L bottles in half, and filled it half way with water. Then we place soil
in three different bottles. We then place organic fertilizer in bottle number one and planted the
seed. After we filled bottle number two with inorganic fertilizer and planted a seed. In bottle
number three, we only used top soil and planted a seed. Finally, we sealed the three-eco bottles to
create a closed system.
Data:
Top Soil:
Days
Seed
Germination

11/4

11/7

11/8

11/9

11/10

11/11

11/14

11/15

Germination
Rate
7/10
70%

Half-Inorganic Half-Top Soil:

Days

11/4

Seed
0
Germination

11/7

11/8

11/9

11/10

11/11

11/14

11/15

Germination
Rate
9/10
90%

Half-Organic Half-Top Soil:

Days

11/4

11/7

11/8

11/9

11/10

11/11

11/14

11/15

Seed
Germination

10

Germination
Rate
10/10
100%

Conclusion: We tested the germination rates of ten mung beans in organic and inorganic
fertilizers with in a two week time period. Our hypothesis was not supported; the seed in the eco
bottle with organic fertilizer had the highest germination rate. The eco bottle with half-top soil
and half-organic fertilizer had a 100% germination rate. Organic fertilizer had the greatest impact
due to nutrients proved by manure. Due mostly human errors, we could have planted the mung

beans better. In addition, the size of the eco bottle could have affected our germination data. In
conclusion the nutrients in organic fertilizer (manure) is greater which influenced the
germination rates.
Work Cited:
Savonen, C. (2008, April 30). Here's the scoop on chemical and organic fertilizers. Retrieved
November 01, 2016, from http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/node/955
Augustin, C., & Rahman, S. (n.d.). Composting Animal Manures: A guide to the process and
management of animal manure compost. Retrieved November 1, 2016, from
https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/manure/documents/nm1478.pdf
Chen, J. H. (2006, October 16). THE COMBINED USE OF CHEMICAL AND ORGANIC
FERTILIZERS AND/OR BIOFERTILIZER FOR CROP GROWTH AND SOIL FERTILITY.
Retrieved November 2, 2016, from http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?
doi=10.1.1.474.2251&rep=rep1&type=pdf