Below is what we were assigned to do and what the report is on. I have attached our results and data below, please use that to answer the questions of the report. The file attached with the multiple pages is what you are doing.
The first part of this lab consists of sowing the seeds. We will be using California poppy seeds as the representative of a California native species. For invasive, we will be using brown mustard seeds, or Brassica juncea. This species of mustard is much more readily available for research and contains the same allelopathic feature as black mustard. Each group will work with four trays, each with six pots (or cells). The seeds are miniscule and it is critical that the right number of seeds be planted. Be extremely careful as the pot may be disqualified otherwise. • Trays 1 and 2: Control group (“Poppies”). Each cell should contain four poppy seeds; • Trays 3 and 4: Experimental group (“Mixed”). Each cell should contain two poppy seeds and two mustard seeds. • Label all trays: “Poppies” or “Mixed”, your lab group’s name, section number and date. • There should be 12 replicates of “Poppies” pots and 12 replicates of “Mixed” pots per lab group... After a few weeks, we will be checking if the mustard seeds interfered with the germination success of the poppy seeds. We will only be counting the germination success of the poppy seeds in the experimental group. To calculate germination success, draw a table in your notebook that looks something like thisOnce the germinated seeds have been counted, we will remove our plants from the pots. This time, we will check if mustard may have influenced the growth (or total biomass) of poppies. (Compost the pots, paper towels, soil and mustard plants as the poppies are removed.)
Questions
- Gently remove the poppies from the control group (“Poppies”), including roots. Sift the soil and, to the best of your ability, avoid breaking the roots.
- Gently wash these plants to remove the soil and tap them dry with a paper towel.
- Store your plants in paper envelopes – one envelope per pot (24 envelopes total per lab group). Label each envelope with the following information: a. “Poppies” or “Mixed” (control or experimental group) b. Number of poppies in the envelope c. Date planted d. Date harvested e. Your lab group’s name
- These envelopes will be placed in a drying oven at 55 o C (130o F). Drying your poppies is important so that water does not influence the true (dry) weight of the plant biomass. PART 4 The envelopes will be retrieved from the oven once the plants are completely dry. Your lab group will weigh the content of each envelope and will add your information to our class’ shared spreadsheet. Together, we will run another quick statistical test to answer the following research question: Does mustard significantly influence the biomass (growth) of California poppies? Check if your hypothesis was supported or not, and report your results using the correct statistical terms in your scientific report.