FERTILIZER PUBLIC

SCHOOL
BIOLOGYPROJECT

TOPIC: Effect of pH on plant growth.

Candidate name: Instructed by:

Soni Yadav Mrs. ShalinIPrajapati
Mrs. Anjulika Narang

Class : XII
Roll No. :
 Acknowledgement
First and foremost, I praise and adore lord
almighty with gratitude from depth of my heart
that has been an unfailing source of strength,
comfort and inspiration for the completion of this
project. I would like to express my faithful thanks
to my Biology teacher “Mrs. Shalini Prajapati and
Mrs. Anjulika Narang” without whose support and
encouragement this project could never been
possible.
Soni Yadav
Class XII
Roll No
 CERTIFICATE

This project is a piece of work performed by “SONI

YADAV”. The candidate has put so required
attendance for the probable time.
The project fulfils the requirement of ordinance
related to the “CBSE” and is up to the mark, both
in respect to the content and language for being
referred to the examiner.

Teachers: Mrs. Shalini Prajapati

Mrs. Anjulika Narang
 INTRODUCTION

Photosynthesis: Plants perform photosynthesis because it generates the

food and energy they need for growth and cellular respiration. It is
important to note that not all plants photosynthesize. Some are
parasites and simply attach themselves to other plants and feed from
them. For plants to perform photosynthesis they require light energy
from the sun, water and carbon dioxide. Water is absorbed from the soil
into the cells of roots. The water passes from the root system to the
xylem vessels in the stem until it reaches the leaves. Carbon dioxide is
absorbed from the atmosphere through pores in the leaves called
stomata. The leaves also contain chloroplasts which hold
chlorophyll. The sun’s energy is captured by the chlorophyll.
 Plant Growth Factors
The plant growth is influenced by a variety of external and
internal factors. The former include light, temperature, water,
nutrients, etc.

1. Light: As far as the plants are concerned there are two major
effects of light on them, one related with photosynthesis and the
other with growth and morphogenesis. For example, the seedlings
grown in dark are pale, elongated with primary leaves
unexpanded and yellow. On the other hand, the seedlings grown in
light are sturdy, green with shorter internodes, expanded leaves,
and upright apex.

Spanish bluebells, showing etiolation in both flower and leaves.

2. Temperature: Temperature is a primary factor affecting the

rate of plant growth and development. Plant growth is the result
of cellular metabolism and processes. Since the metabolic activities
of plants are directly affected by the variation
in temperature, the growth rate is also influenced.
The rate of growth of plant tissues increases with the increase in
temperature up to optimum levels, after which it declines as the
temperature becomes extreme.
3. Water: Water is necessary for virtually every function of plant
growth. It is used in photosynthesis and other metabolic processes
and then ultimately lost by transpiration. Excessive transpiration
or water deficiency in the soil causes water stress in the plants.
The plant growth is considerably retarded during water stress, but
sometimes excessive water also stops the growth of the plant.

4. Nutrients: Plants require nutrients in the form of inorganic

ions for normal growth and development. Almost every metabolic
process in plants requires inorganic nutrition. In the absence of
these elements, the plant growth gets retarded. They
obtain inorganic nutrients from the air, water, and soil. For
example, carbon and oxygen are obtained from carbon
dioxide and hydrogen from water. They also absorb a wide
variety of mineral elements from the soil.

5. Hormonal Factors: In addition to temperature, water, and

inorganic nutrition, the growth and differentiation of plants also
depend on some plant hormones. These plant hormones are also
known as plant growth regulators. They regulate the distribution
and fate of nutrients in different organs of the plant body.
 ROLE OF pH IN PLANT GROWTH:
It is well known that chemical properties of soil have a major effect in
growth. We can optimize the plant's growth by adding specific
fertilizers and minerals. Another property of soil that we can control
and that may have some effects on a plant's growth is the pH of soil. pH
shows acidity or alkalinity level of soil.

It was found that soil pH (potential of hydrogen), which measures the

amounts of hydrogen and hydroxyl ions, is not important to the plant
in itself but is important because it influences the supply of dissolved
nutrients that plants need to absorb from the soil. The availability of
different nutrients changes at different pH levels. Soil pH can also
affect the growth of certain fungi and bacteria which, in turn, affect
plant growth. Soil pH can be modified very easily. It can be raised by
adding an alkaline solution (lime) and lowered by adding an acidic
solution (acetic acid, sulfur). Soil pH is the most commonly-used index of
plant root-zone acidity or alkalinity. Soil pH is important to plants
because (1) it influences the chemical form of many elements in the soil,
and (2) it influences soil microbial processes.
When the soil pH is too acidic (low pH) or alkaline (high pH), nutrients
present in the soil become locked-up or are unavailable. Correcting the
pH has the same effect as applying fertilizer since it "unlocks" plant
nutrients already present.

pH Description

< 5.5 Strongly acid

5.5 - 5.9 Medium acid

6.0 - 6.4 Slightly acid

6.5 - 6.9 Very slightly acid

7.0 Neutral

7.1 - 7.5 Very slightly alkaline

7.6 - 8.0 Slightly alkaline

8.1 - 8.5 Medium alkaline

> 8.5 Strongly alkaline

Most plants grow best within a pH of 6.5 to 7.2 (7 is neutral).

 Details of the experiment

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

Three same size pots, experimental plant (tomato plant), pH meter (to
measure pH of soil), de-mineralized water, soil, acetic acid for making
soil acidic and lime powder is for making soil basic.

PROCEDURE:

1. Take three pots and fill them with the soil.

2. Check the pH of soil using pH meter to find out the present pH of soil.

3. As pH of garden soil was 8.7, acetic acid was added in other two pots
such that the pH can be maintained at 5.5 and 6.5.

4. In each pot, one tomato plant was planted.

5. After planting the plants measure the height and repeat same for
next 20 days.
 OBSERVATION AND CALCULATION
S.NO PH DAY DAY DAY INCREASE
1(cm) 10(cm) 20(cm) IN
HEIGHT(cm)
1. 5.5 9.5 15 17.5 8
2. 6.5 7 10.8 18.3 11.3
3. 8.7 9.2 12.2 19.4 10.2

pH – 6.5 pH – 8.7

pH – 5.5
 Result and conclusion
The plant which was grown with the soil pH 6.5
has shown the maximum increase in height of the
plant.

The desirable pH range for growing tomato plant

is 6 – 6.8

As the pH is increased or decreased, the growth of

plant was affected due to unavailability of
nutrients.
 BIBLIOGRAPY
 PHOTOSYNTHESIS.COM
 ECOGARDENER.COM
 SCIENCESAMITHA.COM
 WWW.SCIENCEPROJECT.COM