Marcellus Jordan

AP Environmental Science
11/1/16

Eco-Bottle Lab
Introduction
Germination is the process where a plant grows from a seed. The most familiar example
of this is when the seed of a angiosperm or gymnosperm sprouts into a seedling. (Corvallis,
2008) In terms of germination, fertilizers provide one or more of the chemical elements
necessary for plant growth and development. Generally, fertilizers can be divide into two
groups, organic and inorganic. (Corvallis, 2008) Organic fertilizers such as manures, compost or
bone meal, are derived directly from plant or animal sources. Inorganic fertilizers such as
ammonium sulfate or ammonium phosphate often called commercial or synthetic fertilizers,
because they go through some manufacturing process, although many of them come from
naturally occurring mineral deposits. It is important to note that neither type of fertilizer is better
in every situation, because there are advantages and disadvantages to using either one, according
to Ross Penhallegon, horticulturist with the Oregon State University Extension Service.
In addition to more nutrients from plants, the soil benefits greatly from more
compost. (Augustin, 2010) Fertility, water-holding capacity, bulk density and
biological properties improve with fertilizer (Flavel and Murphy, 2006). Additionally,
odors are reduced and fly eggs die due to the high temperatures in microbial
decomposition. (Larney et al., 2006). Fertilizer (Haby, 2003) Other important physical
properties center on these such as the size and shape of the spaces between the particle
arrangements, called the pore space, which has a direct effect on the movement of air and
water, the ability of the soil to supply nutrients to plants, and the amount of water available to the
plant.

Marcellus Jordan
AP Environmental Science
11/1/16
Experimental Design
Problem Question: How can we determine the effect of fertilizer on the rate of
germination of seeds?
CG: The top soil
EG: The Fertilizer
Independent Variables: The type of fertilizer or top soil.
Dependent variables: The rate of germination.
Materials and Methods
In our experiment we will create an eco-bottle to simulate the effects of water
versus fertilizer on seed germination. We will be using the same type of seed to
ensure that what we are measuring is the effect of water versus fertilizer. We will
make our Eco-bottle a closed system because therefore
Work Cited

Here's the scoop on chemical and organic fertilizers. (n.d.). Retrieved November 04, 2016, from
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/node/955
By concentrating phosphorus in a band, the plant is given what it needs and less of the
phosphorus becomes tied up in the soil. (n.d.). Vegetable Resources. Retrieved November
04, 2016, from http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vegetable/guides/texas-vegetablegrowers-handbook/ chapter-iii-soils-fertilizers/
NM-1478 Composting Animal Manures - NDSU Agriculture. (n.d.). Retrieved November 4,
2016, from https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/manure/documents/nm1478.pdf