Problem Statement: What is the effect of removing a ring of phloem tissue from the stem of

a plant?

Hypothesis: The diameter of the stem above the ring is larger than the diameter of the stem
below the ring.

Variables:
Manipulated variable : A stem that is ringed and a stem that is not ringed.
Responding variable : The diameter of the stem above and below the ring after one month
Constant variable : stem from the same tree

Materials & apparatus: two healthy potted plant with small stem, vaseline, sharp knife,
measuring tape

Procedure:

unringed stem

Diagram 1: Experimental setup

1. Cut two stem form a healthy potted plant.

2. Use a knife to remove a complete ring of bark from the stem A.
3. Apply Vaseline on the exposed tissue of a ring stem A.
4. Another stem B is left untreated as a constant.
5. Both stem left in a beaker of water for one month.
6. Measure and record the diameter of the stem above and below the ring after one month.
7. Observe and draw the condition of the stem above and below the ring after one month.
Precaution: using the stem from the same healthy potted plant

Presentation of data:
Diameter of stem A before ringing = 5cm
Diameter of stem A after ringing (cm)
Above the ring Below the ring
6 4
 swelling

shrinking

Stem A after one month

Discussion:
1. Name the type of vascular tissue which have been removed from stem A.
Phloem

2. Explain the observation of stem A after one month.

The stem A above the ring is swelling because of accumulation of organic substances. The
stem A below the ring is shrinking because it does not receive any organic substances.

3. Is bark ringing has any effect on leaves? Explain why?

No effect on leaves. Because leaves still can carry out photosynthesis to produce organic
substances.

Conclusion:
The diameter of the stem A above the ring is larger than the diameter below the ring. Phloem
is removed from the stem A. The effect of removing phloem is caused the organic substances
can’t transport down below the ring of stem A. The hypothesis is accepted.