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Microwave Radiation Effects on Angiosperm Growth

Microwave Radiation Effects on Angiosperm Growth. Johnny Daigle Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School Grade 9 PJAS 2008. Angiosperms. Most diverse type of plant Source of food and pharmaceuticals Humans have long experimented with attempts to improve/increase their growth.

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Microwave Radiation Effects on Angiosperm Growth

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  1. Microwave Radiation Effects on Angiosperm Growth Johnny Daigle Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School Grade 9 PJAS 2008

  2. Angiosperms • Most diverse type of plant • Source of food and pharmaceuticals • Humans have long experimented with attempts to improve/increase their growth

  3. Radish Sparkler White Tip • Radishes are a type of angiosperm that are also a part of the Brassicacae family • Radishes are edible root vegetables • Brassicaceae are an allocation of plants in the mustard family • Radishes can be used as a part of a homeopathic treatment for many ailments such as cancer, liver problems, and stomach aches

  4. Spinach Mustard Tendergreen • Spinach mustard is a type of angiosperm, also a member of the Brassicaceae family • These plants are important agricultural and horticultural crops • Spinach Mustard has many nutrients with suspected powerful anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-cancer activities

  5. Microwave Ovens • Microwave ovens produce electromagnetic radiation of the precise wavelength that excites water molecules • This agitation of water molecules makes friction causing the water to heat up • Because most foods have a fair amount of water in them, when microwaves heat up the water in the food, the food heats up • Microwave radiation does not penetrate very deep into food • Microwave radiation can have adverse effects on life, depending on power and duration of exposure

  6. Past Studies • A NASA scientist found that future solar-power systems designed to harvest sunlight, convert solar energy into weak microwaves and beam them down to earth to make electricity, are not harmful to green plants.

  7. Purpose • To discover how microwave radiation effects the growth of two specific species of angiosperms, radish and spinach mustard.

  8. Hypotheses • Null hypothesis – The plants that are exposed to microwave radiation will not significantly vary in growth from plants not exposed to microwave radiation • Alternative hypothesis – The plants that are exposed to microwave radiation will differ in growth from those not exposed to microwave radiation

  9. Materials • Spinach mustard Tendergreen seeds • Radish Sparkler White Tip seeds • Plastic wrap • Water squirt bottle • grow rack • Three grow lights • Three cookie sheets • Potting mix • Three planting containers with 32 planting cups in each • Boxes • Microwave oven • Electronic scale • Oven

  10. Procedure • 1. Potting mix was added to the same height in each planting cup • 2. 3 radish seeds were planted in half of the cups and 3 spinach mustard seeds into the other half (108 total cups) • 3. The soil was watered with the water squirt bottle • 4. All cups were sealed with plastic wrap to achieve green house effect • 5. Placed blocks on each grow rack under the grow light to achieve the recommended grow light illumination • 6. Placed planting containers on top of the blocks so that the soil was approximately 30 centimeters from the grow light • 7. When plants grew to the plastic wrap, the plastic wrap was removed and they were watered

  11. Procedure (continued) • 8. As the plants grew, took off necessary blocks so the plants were always about 30 centimeters from the grow light • 9. When the plants grew their first two leaves, the cups were taken out • 10. On the same day, 12 of the radish cups were microwaved (50% power setting) for 2 seconds, 12 for 4 seconds, and 12 for 6 seconds, there were also 12 radish cups not microwaved that served as a control. The same was done for spinach mustard • 11. After 28 total days, the plants were removed from the soil and allowed to dry for 2 days at room temperature. • 12. The dry mass of each plant was quantified using an electronic scale (sensitivity of 10-4 grams)

  12. P < .01 P < .01 P < .01

  13. P < .01 P < .01 P < .01

  14. Conclusions • The statistical analysis supports the REJECTION of the null hypothesis, indicating that microwave radiation can affect plant growth

  15. Limitations / Extensions • The plants did not grow to their full potential because they might not have received enough water • Seeds could have been more effectively randomized in their assignment to groups • Other growth/health parameters (shoot height, number of leaves, root mass, or germination frequency) could be analyzed • Microwave radiation effects on microbes, other plants, algae, fungi, animals, and human cell cultures could be tested

  16. References / Acknowledgements • Dr. John Wilson, University of Pittsburgh Biostatistician for his advice concerning statistical analysis • http://www.gallawa.com/microtech/howcook.html • http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/releases/2002/02_55AR.html • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radish • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brassica • http://universe.nasa.gov/be/Library/EM_Spectrum3-new.jpg • www.humeseeds.com/mustard.jp • www.georgiasupply.com/images/veggies/RadishSp

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