Problem to be Solved:
Which grasses grow best in which kind of soil pH?
Hypothesis:
Grasses will grow best in acidic soil. Most common grasses have to grow with trees (or near) and trees need more acidic soil than grasses.
Procedure:
1. Obtain resources needed for project.
A. grass seed
B. containers to grow grass in
C. artificial light
D. top soil
E. pH Meter and buffer solutions
F. lime and aluminum sulfate
2. Take as many ounces of soil as you want and put it into the beaker.
3. Take the same number of ounces of water and place it into beaker.
4. Using the stir motor and magnetic stir bar stir the substance for an hour.
5. Turn on the pH tester and press 2nd cal.
6. Place the probe into the neutral buffer and wait until the pH tester calibrates.
7. Place the probe into either the acidic or alkaline buffer depending on whether you think the soil is
acidic or alkaline. Wait until it calibrates.
8. Place the probe into the mixing substance and wait until it reads ready.
9. The number on the pH meter is the pH of your soil. Change the soil pH if needed by using lime to
raise the pH or aluminum sulfate to lower the pH.
10. Repeat steps 2-9 until the soil in the containers is about 4.00, 7.00, and 9.00.
11. Plant the grasses in different section of the container and let them grow.
12. Using a ruler measure the grass's height in centimeters,
Conclusion:
The grasses in the neutral soil grew the best for all three grasses. My hypothesis was wrong because I think the pH in the acidic soil was too low for grasses to grow best. The acidic grasses grew the second best.
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1st Place, Life Science, PCA Science Fair