The Effect of Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3 on the Growth

Of Raphanus sativus Seeds

Paige Arvo and Mackenzie Nitz
Macomb Mathematics Science and Technology Center
Biology 1
Section 9C
Mr. Acre/Mr. Estapa/Mrs. Gravel
19 May 2016
 Table of Contents
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………….……1
Problem Statement………………………………………………………………………….….3
Experimental Design……………………………………………………………………….…..4
Data and Observations…………………………………………………………………...……10
Data Analysis and Interpretation……………………………………………………………...14
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………….21
Works Cited…………………………………………………………………………………...25
 Arvo – Nitz 1

Introduction

Most people know that plants need sunlight and water to grow, but not everyone knows

what else is needed for plants to grow and become stronger. It is less known that Vitamin C is

essential to plant growth ("Vitamin C Is Essential for Plant Growth") and that Vitamin D-3 helps

strengthen the plants (Schmid). The aim of this experiment was to find the optimal amounts of

both Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3 to help plants grow the fastest.

The goal of this experiment was to test the effect of varying amounts of Vitamin C and

Vitamin D-3 on Raphanus sativus (radish) seeds growth rate. The research can be used to help

create better fertilizers for plants. Five dilutions, including a standard were made with 10

milliliters of water and varying amounts of Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3. Four seeds were placed

in a paper towel soaked in the dilutions then the paper towel was folded and placed in to a Ziploc

bag. Seventy to seventy-four hours later, the seeds were measured.

As the amount of Vitamin C given to radish seeds increases, the seeds grow faster. When

the plants create Vitamin C, they use it to help grow and reproduce, maintain their structure, and

respond to their environment ("How Vitamin C Helps Plants Beat the Sun"). In other words,

Vitamin C is a large part in helping the plants perform the necessary tasks it needs to complete to

thrive. To find how much Vitamin C to use in the experiment, the average amount of Vitamin C

in one orange was found, seeing that many oranges may fall into the soil that plants are growing

in. This amount was used to find how many drops to add in to 10 milliliters of water.

As the amount of Vitamin D-3 given to the radish seeds increase, the seeds grow faster.

Vitamin D-3 has been proven to help plants root form and germinate (Schmid). Seeing that

Vitamin D-3 helps the plants germinate, the researchers hypothesized that the largest amount of

the Vitamin D-3 would yield in the largest growing seeds within a certain time period. The
 Arvo – Nitz 2

amount of Vitamin D-3 used in this experiment was based off of a previous successful

experiment (Fletcher).

The response variable, or the variable measured, was millimeters grown in 3 days.

Because the seeds on average only took one to two days to germinate, the researchers decided

that measuring in days would most likely yield inaccurate results. The embryos were measured

in millimeters 70-74 hours after they were placed in the bags.

 Arvo – Nitz 3

Problem Statement
Problem:

To determine the effect of a one-time initial addition of Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3 on

the growth rate of Raphanus sativus (radish seeds).

Hypothesis:

If the treatment of three drops (0.15 milliliters) of Vitamin C and three drops (0.15

milliliters) of Vitamin D-3 diluted in 10 mL of water is added to the radish seeds, then

the Raphanus sativus will have the highest growth rate.

Data Measured:

The independent variable of the experiment is the amount of drops of Vitamin

C and Vitamin D-3 added to the 10 mL water to make a solution that will later be added to the

radish seeds. Treatments of Vitamin C include one drop, two drops, and three drops added to 10

mL of water as the low, standard, and high, respectively. The amount was derived from finding

the amount of Vitamin C in one orange, seeing as many oranges fall in the soil that

plants may grow in. The same procedure will be done with Vitamin D-3. One drop

will be diluted in 10 millilters of water and so will two drops and three drops. The dependent

variable is the growth after three days, measured in millimeters.

 Arvo – Nitz 4

Experimental Design
Materials:
(1) 120 mL (4 oz) Bottle of Kent Marine (1) Box of 250 Sandwich Size Meijer Plastic
Vitamin C Bags
(1) 60 mL bottle (2 oz) of Now Foods (1) Piece of Paper
Liquid Vitamin D3 (1) Pencil
(2) Bounty Paper Towel Roll (1) TI-Nspire Calculator Randomize
(2) Packs of Organic Champion Raphanus Function
sativus seeds (1) Ruler (cm)
(2) 1 mL Droppers (1) Scalpel
(1) Black Sharpie/ Permanent Marker (1) Dell Latitude 3330 Laptop
Access to a Sink (1) Lab table
Green House (1) 10 mL Graduated Cylinder

Procedures:

1. Obtain all materials.

2. Before making the dilutions for testing, write each group assignment on a piece of paper,
(+,-), (+,+), (-,-),(-,+), and Standard, and number them 1-5. (Example: (+,-) equals 1,
(+,+) equals 2, (-,-) equals 3, (-,+) equals 4, and standard equals 5)

3. Turn on the TI-Nspire calculator and select the calculate option (option A).

4. Type in the following command “randInt(1,5)” and then press the "enter" button to
generate a number that will be used in step 13. Put calculator aside.

5. Clean the graduated cylinder by filling it all the way to the top with water and then
pouring it out. Repeat this step 5 times.

6. Clean the dropper by filling the graduated cylinder from step 5 with water. Stick the
dropper into the water and squeeze the top of the dropper. Release the grip all the way so
the liquid is in the top of the dropper. Take dropper out of the graduated cylinder and put
it over the sink and squeeze the top of the dropper so that the water that was contained
inside of the dropper is now in the sink. Repeat this step 5 times.

7. Repeat step 5. Then proceed to step 8.

8. Using the graduated cylinder measure 10 mL of water. Set aside.

9. Shake bottle of Kent Marine C by tipping it side to side for 5 seconds.

10. Unscrew lid from Kent Marine C by twisting counterclockwise. Discard protective seal
covering if it is the first time the bottle is being opened. Set bottle and cap aside.
 Arvo – Nitz 5

11. Shake bottle of Liquid Vitamin D-3 by tipping it side to side for 5 seconds.

12. Unscrew lid from Liquid Vitamin D-3 by twisting it counterclockwise. Squeeze the top of
the dropper cap over the bottle to release the vitamin D-3 that may be contained inside so
it falls back into the bottle. Set bottle and dropper top aside.

13. View the number generated on the calculator from step 4. Match that number with the
assigned group on the piece of paper from step 2. (Example: if the number generated on
the calculator is 3 run the (-, -) group because the (-,-) group is equal to 3 in the step 2
example)

14. Add the appropriate amount of drops of Vitamin D-3 and Vitamin C into the 10 mL of
water in the graduated cylinder, for the group that is being tested. See step 15 to know
how to add the drops then see Table 1 to know how many drops to add.

15. To add drops, stick the dropper into the top of the bottle of Vitamin C until the tip of the
dropper is submerged into the liquid. Squeeze the top of the dropper. Release the grip all
the way so the liquid is in the top part of the dropper. Place the dropper with the liquid
inside of it about 3 centimeters above the graduated cylinder that contains the 10 mL of
water. Squeeze the top of the dropper gently until the desired numbers of drops have
fallen into the graduated cylinder.

Table 1
Number of Drops to Add
Vitamin C (number of drops) Vitamin D-3 (number of drops)
- Standard + - Standard +
1 2 3 1 2 3

Table 1 explains how many drops of the Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3 need to be added to

the 10 milliliters of water for each group.

16. Put the remaining liquid in the dropper back into the bottle that it came from by
squeezing the top of the dropper over the bottle until there is no liquid left in the top of
the dropper, and all liquid is back in the original bottle.

17. Repeat steps 5-16 using a clean dropper and the Vitamin D-3. Do not use the dropper cap
for the Vitamin D-3 drops, use the same type of dropper that was used for the Vitamin C
drops.

18. Screw lid back on to Kent Marine C by rotating the lid clockwise on to the top of the
bottle.

19. Screw lid back on to the Vitamin D-3 bottle by rotating the lid clockwise on to the top of
the bottle.
 Arvo – Nitz 6

20. Hold the top of the graduated cylinder between your thumb and index finger. With the
other hand use your index finder to tap the side down towards the bottom of the
graduated cylinder until there is no longer a bubble of vitamins at the top. Set aside.

21. Clean off the lab table with a wet piece of paper towel and then dry the table with a dry
piece of paper towel. Discard both pieces of paper towel.

22. Rip off one piece of paper towel from the roll of Bounty paper towel and lay it flat onto a
lab table.

23. Evenly pour the water and vitamin mixture, contained inside the graduated cylinder from
step 22, over the piece of paper towel.

24. Fold the paper towel over, so the two shorts sides are touching and the shape of the paper
towel is now almost a square. Pat it down using your hand so the mixture is soaked into
both sides of the paper towel and there are no dry spots left. If there are still dry spots
fold the paper towel so the dry spot is laying over a part of the paper towel that is wet
with the vitamin water mixture and pat down until the entire paper down is wet.

25. If there is any water from the paper towel left on the lab table wipe it up using the paper
towel from step 24.

26. Unfold the piece of soaked paper towel so it is lying flat on the lab table.

27. Open the package(s) of Raphanus sativus (radish) seeds.

28. If this is the first time this experiment is being ran pour one bag of seeds into the other
one making sure no seeds haven fallen out. Zip the bag and shake it so all of the seeds
mix together.

29. Unzip the bag that contains all seeds and randomly take out four seeds.

30. Lay the four seeds about 2 inches from the top of the shorter side of paper towel in a
straight line with an inch between each seeds as shown in Figure 2.

31. Zip the bag that contains all of the seeds and set aside.

32. Fold the bottom edge of the paper towel up and over the seeds to meet the top edge of the
paper towel so the seeds are between the two sides of paper towel.

33. On a plastic sandwich bag write the group (Example: (-,-)), the date (Example:
2/24/2016), the bag number (the number of times that this group has been ran. Example:
Bag 3), the trial number (the number that was generated in step 4. Example: Trial 3) as
shown in figure 3.

34. Open the labeled Ziploc bag, from step 33.

 Arvo – Nitz 7

35. Put the prepared piece of paper towel from step 32 into the opened sandwich bag with the
seeds in the line horizontally. Make sure that the paper towel is not bunched up and that it
is lying flat.

36. Zip the bag half way.

37. Gently push all of the air out of the bag by pushing down on the bag. Make sure not to
push too hard on the seeds.

38. Zip the bag keeping one hand on top to assure there is minimal air in the bag. The
prepared plastic bag should look similar to Figure 3.

39. Generate a new number using the TI-Nspire calculator by pressing the “enter” button. Do
not use any repeated numbers until all five numbers have appeared.

40. Repeat steps 5- 39 using the newly generated number until all five groups have been
prepared to the desired amount of times. In ths experiment each group was prepared
eleven times except the standard which was prepared fifteen times. Put all bags that were
prepared that day into the green house.

41. Examine the prepared bag three days after preparation. For steps on how to examine the
seeds in the bag refer to steps 42-48.

42. Open the bag and take the folded paper towel out.

43. Place paper towel on a dry, flat surface and unfold it.

44. Using the scalpel cut off any part of the stem that is red as well as the leaves. If any parts
are curved, use the scalpel to cut where the curve is. Using your ruler measure the length
of the white stem, called the embryo, in millimeters. If the embryo is now split in to
multiple parts, measure them all in millimeters and then add them together to find the
total length of the embryo.

45. Record all results in a chart like Figure 1 in a notebook.

 Arvo – Nitz 8

(+,+) Group
Bag Date Trial Measurement in
Date Bagged
Number Observed Number MM
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Figure 1. Recording Results

Figure 1 shows the table that should be used to record all the results. In the “Date

Bagged” column write the date that the bag was prepared. In the “Date Observed” column fill

out the date the embryos were measured, should be three days after the “Date Bagged” column.

In the “Trial Number” column write the trial number that was written on the bag in step 28. In

the “Measurement in MM” column fill out the lengths of the four embryos measured in step 41,

with one length measurement in each box. A table like this will be used for each group so there

will be five charts in total.

 Arvo – Nitz 9

Diagram:

Four seeds in a row

about two inches from
the top and one inch
away from each other

Figure 2. Seed Setup

Figure 2 displays how the seeds should be set up on the paper towel. This was explained

in step 30.

Group label

Date label

Bag number
label

Trial number
label

Figure 3. Final Set Up

Figure 3 shows how to label the bag. This figure also shows how the bag should look

after the paper towel is put inside.

 Arvo – Nitz 10

Data and Observations

Data:
Table 2
Design of Experiment Value
Vitamin C (number of drops) Vitamin D-3 (number of drops)
- Standard + - Standard +
1 2 3 1 2 3

Table 2 displays the amount of the variables, Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3, which were

used in this experiment. For each variable, the low was held at, the standard was held at two

drops, and the high was held at three drops. The amount used was derived from finding the

amount of Vitamin C in one orange and then using that amount to find out how many drops to

add to 10 milliliters of water. The Vitamin D-3 amount was based off a previous experiment that

was successfully conducted (Fletcher). In a graduated cylinder, a varying amount of drops was

added to 10 milliliters of water then added to the seeds.

Table 3
Experiment Data
Growth of Seeds (mm)
Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3
Trial Number Group Measurements (mm) Average (mm)
1 Standard 29.00 15.00 20.00 19.00 20.75
2 (+,+) 23.00 17.00 34.00 42.00 29.00
3 (-,-) 19.00 21.00 20.00 19.00 19.75
4 (-,+) 25.00 15.00 6.00 17.00 15.75
5 (+,-) 41.00 15.00 25.00 10.00 22.75
6 (+,+) 30.00 17.00 21.00 15.00 20.75
7 (+,-) 35.00 30.00 30.50 31.00 31.63
8 Standard 26.00 17.00 16.00 15.00 18.50
9 (-,+) 21.00 16.00 32.00 30.00 24.75
10 (-,-) 8.00 26.00 28.00 22.00 21.00
11 (+,-) 27.00 19.00 43.00 33.00 30.50
12 (+,+) 52.00 19.00 34.00 36.00 35.25
 Arvo – Nitz 11

Table 3
Experiment Data (Continued)
Growth of Seeds (mm)
Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3
Trial Number Group Measurements (mm) Average (mm)
13 Standard 37.00 30.00 51.00 36.00 28.50
14 (-,+) 24.00 27.00 26.00 25.00 25.50
15 (-,-) 0* 42.00 29.00 26.00 32.33
16 (+,-) 20.00 0* 22.00 28.00 23.33
17 (+,+) 47.00 38.00 32.00 25.00 35.50
18 (-,+) 37.00 11.00 10.00 33.00 25.25
19 (-,-) 14.00 41.00 17.00 18.00 22.50
20 Standard 47.00 18.00 2.00 23.00 22.50
21 (+,-) 21.00 26.00 33.00 27.00 26.75
22 Standard 43.00 42.00 27.00 41.00 38.25
23 (+,+) 37.00 27.00 15.00 35.00 28.50
24 (-,+) 18.00 22.00 17.00 15.00 18.00
25 (-,-) 45.00 29.00 33.00 31.00 34.50
26 Standard 36.00 15.00 18.00 29.00 24.50
27 (-,+) 24.00 19.00 24.00 23.00 22.50
28 (+,-) 13.00 20.00 7.00 11.00 12.75
29 (+,+) 24.00 32.00 20.00 13.00 24.75
30 (-,-) 14.00 26.00 31.00 13.00 21.00
31 Standard 21.00 20.00 13.00 12.00 16.50
32 Standard 14.00 22.00 11.00 21.00 17.00
33 (+,+) 33.00 14.00 20.00 25.00 23.00
34 (+,-) 31.00 32.00 23.00 36.00 28.00
35 (-,-) 20.00 39.00 21.00 30.00 22.75
36 (-,+) 48.00 25.00 20.00 31.00 31.00
37 Standard 11.00 12.00 24.00 20.00 16.75
38 (+,+) 39.00 27.00 27.00 20.00 28.25
39 (-,+) 22.00 14.00 14.00 16.00 16.50
40 Standard 28.00 17.00 18.00 17.00 20.00
41 (+,-) 33.00 28.00 24.00 18.00 25.75
42 (-,-) 44.00 39.00 21.00 30.00 33.50
43 Standard 30.00 16.00 15.00 14.00 18.75
44 Standard 0* 13.00 15.00 20.00 16.00
45 (-,+) 14.00 16.00 16.00 0* 15.33
46 (-,-) 17.00 31.00 25.00 33.00 26.50
 Arvo – Nitz 12

Table 3
Experiment Data (Continued)
Growth of Seeds (mm)
Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3
Trial Number Group Measurements (mm) Average (mm)
47 (+,-) 25.00 35.00 16.00 44.00 30.00
48 (+,+) 34.00 22.00 27.00 23.00 26.50
49 Standard 20.00 18.00 20.00 28.00 21.50
50 (+,-) 26.00 1.00 27.00 22.00 19.00
51 (-,+) 40.00 33.00 28.00 20.00 30.25
52 Standard 20.00 30.00 35.00 30.00 28.75
53 (+,+) 23.00 11.00 15.00 15.00 16.00
54 (-,-) 21.00 30.00 27.00 25.00 25.75
55 Standard 21.00 31.00 33.00 21.00 26.50
56 (-,-) 15.00 26.00 40.00 47.00 32.00
57 (+,-) 36.00 43.00 22.00 25.00 16.50
58 (-,+) 17.00 46.00 41.00 25.00 32.25
59 (+,+) 26.00 27.00 18.00 28.00 24.75

In Table 3, all of the data is shown. The "Trial Number" column is the order that each test

was performed. The "Group" column shows which solution was added to the bag of four seeds.

The "Measurements" column lists the growth of each individual seed in millimeters. The

"Average" column shows the average of the four seeds contained in the same bag. Any of the

values that have a “*” to the right of it implies that it was not used to find the average and was

excluded from the design of experiment.

Observations:
Table 4
Observations
Date Observation
3/14/2016 Lab table surface was sticky from past experiments.
Droppers used for measuring Vitamin C and Vitamin D broke, so a new dropper
3/18/2016 was used. Both droppers produced the same size drops, so the amount added did
not alter.
Sink water was abnormally cold. In addition, many groups were using the same
3/18/2016 sink, so other groups materials could have splashed into the solutions being used
in this experiment.
 Arvo – Nitz 13

Table 4
Observations (Continued)
Date Observation
Bag 4 from the (+,-) group, measured on 3/21/16 had one seed that did not have
3/21/2016 any embryo growth, despite being treated with the exact same procedure as all
other bags.
Bag 3 from the standard group, measured on 3/21/16, had 2 seeds with yellow
3/21/2016
leaves that sprouted and 2 seeds with green leaves that sprouted.
Bag 4 from the standard group, measured on 3/21/16 had two seeds that had
3/21/2016 very little embryo growth, despite being treated with the exact same procedure
as all other bags.
Bag 5 from the standard group, measured on 3/21/16, had extra long embryos
3/21/2016
compared to other standard bags.
Bag 3 from the (-,-) group, measured on 3/21/16, had one seed that did not have
3/21/2016 any embryo growth, despite being treated with the exact same procedure as all
other bags.
3/28/2016 Very little sun shining on the bags in the greenhouse.
3/29/2016 Bags from 3/28/16 were sprayed by other experimenters using the greenhouse.
Bags from 3/28/16 and 3/29/16 were brought out of green house for observing
3/30/2016
for approximately 30 minutes.
3/31/2016 Bags from 3/29/16 had especially long embryos compared to other days.

In Table 4, all observations made during trials are shown. Observations include

observations of the bags, their surroundings, and any abnormal situations while bagging or

during the germination process.

 Arvo – Nitz 14

Data Analysis and Interpretation

A two-factor DOE (Design of Experiment) was used to analyze the data found in this

experiment. The DOE tested how two variables and their interaction affect a response variable.

The experiment tested how long an embryo of a Raphanus sativus would grow with differing

amounts of Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3 added to water that the seeds were grown in.

The data in this experiment was collected by placing four seeds in a folded paper towel

covered a solution of water and Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3. The paper towel with the seeds in it

was then placed into a plastic sandwhich bag. The bags were placed in a greenhouse and left for

70-74 hours then the embryos of each seed was measured. It is known that the data from this

experiment is reliable because all of the trails were run the same.

Each trial was run eleven times and the standard was run fifteen times, for better

accuracy. The averages of each trial and standard bag was found and used when analyzing the

data to make it easier. Table 6 shows all of the trials averages along with the standards.

Table 5
Table of Factors
Vitamin C (drops) Vitamin D-3 (drops)
- Standard + - Standard +
1 2 3 1 2 3
Table 5 shows how many drops of Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3 were added for low, high,

and standard groups in this experiment. One drop is equivalent to about 0.05 milliliters. This

table was used throughout the experiment to help create all the groups, (+,+), (+,-), (Standard),

(-,+), and (-,-).

 Arvo – Nitz 15

Table 6
Grand Averages
Trials
Averages
Vitamin Vitamin
(mm)
C D-3
(+) (+) 26.57
(+) (-) 24.36
(-) (-) 25.93
(-) (+) 24.18
Grand Average 25.26

Table 6 shows the grand averages of each group the standard group in millimeters. The

averages are rounded to the nearest hundredth.

Table 7
Averages of Effect for Vitamin C
Vitamin C Effect of Vitamin C
One Drop Three Drops 26.6
26.4
25.93 26.57 26.2
Growth (mm)

26
24.18 24.36 25.8 25.465
Average=25.055 Average= 25.465 25.6
25.055 25.4
25.2
25
24.8
24.6
24.4
24.2
-1 1
Vitamin C
Figure 4. Effect of Vitamin C
The effect value of Vitamin C is 0.41 millimeters. This was found by subtraction the high

average from the low average. The high average is 25.465 and the low average is 25.055. On

average, as Vitamin C increases, the length of the embryos increases by 0.41 millimeters. As

shown in Table 7 the averages were found of the high and low values. The averages were then

put on this graph, negative one representing the low average and one representing the high

average
 Arvo – Nitz 16

Table 8
Average of Effect of Vitamin C
Vitamin D-3 (mm)
Effect of Vitamin D-3
One Drop Three Drops
26.6
24.36 26.57 26.4
26.2

Growth (mm)
25.93 24.18 26
25.8
Average=25.145 Average=25.375 25.6 25.375
25.145 25.4
25.2
25
24.8
24.6
24.4
-1 1
Vitamin D-3

Figure 5. Effect of Vitamin D-3

The effect value of Vitamin D-3 is 0.23 millimeters. The effect value was found by

subtracting the high average, 25.375, from the low average, 25.145. On average, as Vitamin D-3

increases, the length of the embryos increases by 0.23 millimeters. As shown in Table 8, the

averages were found using the high and low values. The averages were then put on this graph,

negative one representing the low average and one representing the high average.
 Arvo – Nitz 17

Table 9
Trial Averages
Vitamin D-3
One Three Interaction Effect of Vitamin C and
Drop Drops Vitamin D-3
Solid Three 26.57
Vitamin C

24.36 26.57 26.6

Segment Drops 26.4

Growth (mm)
25.93 26.2
26
Dotted One 25.8
25.93 24.18 25.6
Segment Drop 25.4
25.2
25
24.8
24.6
24.4
-1 1
Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3

Figure 6. Interaction Effect

Table 9 shows the averages in millimeters for all of the trials. This was used to help find

the interaction effect. Figure 6 shows the interaction effect of Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3

which is 1.98 millimeters. This was found by finding the difference of the slope of the solid line

segment and the dotted line segment. Because the slopes of the lines are greatly different, the

lines do intersect proving there is a possibility of an interaction between the two factors. On

average the interaction of the Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3 increased the growth of the radish

seeds embryos by 1.98 millimeters.

Comparative Analysis: The variable used to find the solid and dashed segments is

Vitamin C. When Vitamin C was held high on its own it was an average of 25.465 millimeters.

This average was found by adding the averages of the high high group, which contained three

drops of both Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3, and the high low group, which contained three drops

of Vitamin C and one drop of Vitamin D-3. The average of each group was found in table 3 and

then the sum was divided by two. The average of the (+,+) group, 26.57 millimeters, and the

average of the (+,-) group, 24.36 millimeters, are also the numbers that were used to graph the

solid segment. When the Vitamin C was held low on its own it had an average of 25.055
 Arvo – Nitz 18

millimeters. This average was found by adding the averages of the low high group, which

contained one drop of Vitamin C and three drops of Vitamin D-3, and the low low group, which

contained one drop of both Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3. The average of each group was found in

Table 6 and then the sum of the groups was divided by 2. The average of the (-,-) group,

25.93 millimeters, and the average of the (-,+) group, 24.18 millimeters, are also the numbers

that were used to graph the solid segment.

15 Standards
45
Average Length of Embryo in

40
35
30
Millimeters

25
20
15
10
5
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Bag Number

Figure 7. Graph of Standards

Figure 7 displays the average length of the embryos in each trial by bag for the standards.

The largest measurement was 38.5 millimeters and the smallest measurement was 16

millimeters. The standards were not as consistent as the experimenters had hoped but all of the

standards fell between 16 and 38.5, making the range of standards 22.5. Seeing as the range of

all trial results was 25.75, this makes the range of standards seem quite large in comparison to

the rest of the experiment.

 Arvo – Nitz 19

Test line (-45) Test Line (45)

Effect of Vitamin C
Effect of Vitamin D-3
Interaction Effect

Figure 8. Dot Plot

In Figure 8, it is shown that neither the effect of Vitamin C, Vitamin D-3, nor the

interaction effect had an effect value outside of the test lines. The test lines were found by

multiplying the range of standards by two. Vitamin C, represented by the orange dot, by a small

margin had a larger effect value than Vitamin D-3, represented by the blue dot. The green dot

represents the interaction effect, 1.98, the largest of the three values. If any one of these three

dots were greater than 45 or less -45 that factor would have been deemed statistically significant.

Parsimonious Prediction Equation:

Y=25.26+ “noise”
Figure 9. Parsimonious Prediction Equation

In Figure 9, the Parsimonious prediction equation for this experiment is shown. When

nothing is deemed statistically significant, the Parsimonious prediction equation is simply equal

to the grand average plus "noise". When interpolated the solution to this parsimonious equation

will not change because there is not effect values to be changed. If this experiment were re-ran

with the exact same set up with interpolated numbers it should yield the same grand average of

25.26 millimeters.
 Arvo – Nitz 20

Interpretation:

None of the factors that were tested in this experiment were statistically significant as

shown in Figure 8. The interaction effect was the closest to being statistically significant out of

all the factors. The interaction effect was 1.98 as shown in Figure 6. Since this is not statistically

significant it could have of happened by chance alone. None of the factors were statistically

significant because the range of standards were too large, and there was not a big enough

difference between the amount of drops added for the high and low value
 Arvo-Nitz 21

Conclusion

It was hypothesized that the (+,+) group, or the group with three drops of Vitamin C and

three drops of Vitamin D-3 would yield the highest growth rate of the Raphanus sativus (radish)

seeds. The hypothesis was proven to be true because the (+,+) group had the highest grand

average of 26.57 millimeters. The researcher’s other hypothesis was that the Vitamin C would

have a greater effect on the growth of radish seeds than Vitamin D-3. This hypothesis was also

proven to be true because the effect value of Vitamin C was higher than the effect value of the

Vitamin D-3. Therefore, both of the researcher's hypotheses were accepted.

This experiment was conducted because the experimenters were curious if plants would

react to Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3 the same way humans react to Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3.

It is well known that both of these vitamins are good for the health of humans and making them

stronger, so the researchers wondered if the vitamins could help plants in a similar way. The

purpose of this experiment was to see if more, or if any Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3 should be

added to fertilizers. To test this, paper towels were soaked in solutions of differing amounts of

Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3 then four radish seeds were placed on the paper towel. The paper

towels were then folded, placed into plastic sandwich bags, and left for 70-74 hours. All of the

seeds embryos were measured in millimeters after the 70-74 hour time period. The results were

then recorded. The (+,+) group yielded the highest average of 26.57 millimeters and the (-,+)

group yielded the lowest average of 24.18 millimeters. Vitamin C helps in metabolic reactions

such as organisms growing, maintaining their structures, and responding to the environment

("How Vitamin C Helps Plants Beat the Sun"). This can explain the reason why when more

Vitamin C is added, the seeds grow more. Vitamin D-3 helps the production of chlorophyll in

seeds (Fletcher). Chlorophyll is vital for photosynthesis and helps plants get energy from
 Arvo – Nitz 22

sunlight ("Chlorophyll"). This can be the reason why when Vitamin D-3 was held high the seeds

grew the most.

Few other experiments have been done to test the effects of Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3

on different plants. One experiment was done to test the effect of Vitamin C on Brassica

parachinensi (Choy Sum) seeds. The researchers in this experiment found that the lower the

concentration of Vitamin C in the solution that the seeds were treated with, the higher the

germination rate ("Effect of Different Concentrations of Vitamin C Solution Biology Essay").

These results contradict the results found in this experiment. Another experiment was done to

test the effect of cytokinins on Cucumis sativus (cucumber) seeds. The cytokinins used as the

independent variable in this experiment has very similar functions to Vitamin D-3, such as

promoting cell division in plants roots. In the experiment, the more cytokinins that were added to

the seeds, the more the amount of chlorophyll increased (Fletcher). Seeing that the cytokinins

and Vitamin D-3 are so similar, it can be inferred the more Vitamin D-3 that is added to seeds,

the more the seeds will grow. Many other studies support this conclusion as well. The results

found in the experiment testing the effects of cytokinins also supports the results of this

experiment.

There were few design flaws within the experimental design. One thing that is not

necessarily a flaw, but a change that could be made is instead of putting the bags in a green

house they could simply be placed in a box at room temperature. This will eliminate the need for

a greenhouse, which not everyone may have access to, and any “noise” that could have been

created by it such as temperature or humidity. One error committed by the experimenters is that

during trials, one of the droppers broke so a new dropper had to be acquired. A dropper that

dispensed the same size drops was used as the replacement, but there was no way to ensure that
 Arvo – Nitz 23

it was exactly the same as the previous dropper. One error that may not be as obvious is human

error. Human error may have caused the experimenters to incorrectly conduct the experiments in

small ways, such as sloppy handwriting, forgetting a drop, or things of that manner. While these

may seem like small errors, they could have greatly affected the results.

There are a few ways the experiment could have been changed to get better results.

Changing the variables could have been one of the improvements that could have been made.

The low can be kept at one drop of Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3. Instead of the standard being

two drops of the Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3, three drops of each can be added. The high can be

held at five drops of Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3 instead of three drops. Changing the variables

may result in a bigger difference in measurement between each group. This could have a larger

impact on the experiment over all.

The results of this experiment can be used to help further research in the agricultural

world. The results can be used to help create better fertilizers. Most fertilizers for plants do not

contain Vitamin C or Vitamin D-3 ("The Meaning of Fertilizer Numbers & Types of

Fertilizers"). However, this experiment shows that additional Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3 are

helpful to plants growth. It can be inferred that adding Vitamin C and Vitamin D-3 to fertilizers,

even if it is a small amount, would be beneficial to the plants.

Many skills were gained while conducting this research. One of the skills gained was

learning how to write an experimental design. The experimental design had to be very detailed.

Every step effected the turn out of the experiment and if one step was not followed correctly the

results may not be accurate. Another skill that was gained was learning how to do the math

behind the experiment. The math behind the experiment is a very important part of research as it

shows if any factors are statistically significant. If the math is done incorrectly a factor that is
 Arvo – Nitz 24

statistically significant may not show. These are the two main lessons that were learned while

conducting research.
 Arvo – Nitz 25

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