The purpose of this
experiment was to determine if a basic homemade nutrient solution
works as well as a commercial hydroponic solution. To accomplish
this experiment, a hydroponic garden was built. The containers
holding the solution were plastic planters, and Styrofoam sheets
were used to hold the plants. Cocopeat was also used as a growing
medium. To keep oxygen in the water for the plant roots, an air
pump was used to bubble air through the solution using silicone
tubing. Measurements of root growth, plant heights, and number
of leaves were taken. Plant health was also measured using an
assigned scale. The control nutrient solution plants grew large
and flourished. The roots were long and thick, and the plants
were green and leafy. Many flowers grew, which in turn produced
healthy seedpods. In contrast, the experimental nutrient solution
plants barely grew at all. The plants that did grow were small
and thin, and died quickly. There was no root growth for these
plants. The majority of the plants did not grow.
In conclusion, The commercial nutrient solution grows plants larger,
thicker, and healthier than plants grown by the homemade nutrient
solution. The researcher hypothesizes that the ammonia in the
homemade solution contributed to pH levels that were too high
for Brassica rapa plants to grow well. Although vinegar
was used to lower the pH to appropriate levels, the pH drifted
continuously back to higher levels.
