Mung bean (Vigna radiata) as a potential bio-assay for various soil samples

Proponents: Jhuni Allada, John Leyva, and Kurt Soriano

Statement of the Problem

The researchers intended to know if mung bean (Vigna radiata) can determine the

toxicity level of various soil samples specifically, this study aims to achieve the following

goals:

1. Determine if there's a difference in plant growth of mung bean (Vigna radiata) in terms of

height and numbers of leaves due to variation of soil samples.

2. Determine if mung beans (Vigna radiata) can be used as a bio-indicator of various soil

samples.

Hypotheses

Ha= Mung bean (Vigna radiata) can determine the toxicity level of various soil samples.

Ho= Mung bean (Vigna radiata) cannot determine the toxicity level of various soil samples.

Variables Involved

The independent variable is the 4 types of soil samples and the dependent variable is the

mung bean (Vigna radiata) plant growth.

Materials and Methods

This part of the research papers describes the methods and processes used in the testing

of pH level and testing of mung bean (Vigna radiata) as a potential bio-assay.

Research Design

The researchers used multiple-group design because of the 3 experimental groups; sand

(base), clay (neutral), and polluted soil (acidic), while the control group is the loam (neutral)

soil.
Materials

The materials used in this study includes 200ml of vinegar, 1/4kg of baking soda, 200ml

of distilled water, 1 gallon of water, 20pcs of mung beans (Vigna radiata), 4 rectangular

containers, a trowel, a weighing scale, and 1 1/2kg of loam, sand, clay, and polluted soil from

the researchers’ garden.

Methods

In this study, the researchers bought a pack of mung beans (Vigna radiata) from a shop

in Langgam, San Pedro, Laguna. The researchers then collected 4 different types of soil

samples. All of the soil samples were acquired from a garden in Bagong Silang. The

researchers then conducted a pH test to determine the toxicity of the soil samples. The

researchers prepared 2 set-ups and within the set-ups, each have 4 rectangular containers with

different soil samples in it. The 1/2 cup of vinegar was poured in the 1st set-up to determine

whether it is acidic, and baking soda and distilled water in the 2nd set-up to determine

whether it is a base. If it has no reaction on both vinegar and baking soda it means it is

neutral. After the pH test, the researchers prepared 4 rectangular containers as an alternative

planter in the set-ups. Each set-up was given different soil samples. After the preparation, the

researchers planted 5 mung bean (Vigna radiata) each for the 4 set-ups.The researchers

observed the mung bean (Vigna radiata) seed for 5 days. After 5 days of observation, the

mung bean (Vigna radiata) plant was separated from the container to be able to measure its

leaves and stems.

 Figure 1. These 10 set of pictures from top left are
the preparations and the determining of pH level of
the soil samples.

Figure 2. These four set of pictures are from the

fifth day of the observation of the mung bean
(Vigna radiata) plant.

Observation

The researchers noticed the following changes after experimenting: Set-up that contains

sand contains less amount of toxins and had the smallest average height of 4cm and also has

the least amount of leaves of 3 and only one plant grew, followed by the polluted soil which

has an average height of 5.5cm, has 4 leaves and only two of the mung bean (Vigna radiata)

grew, while the loam soil has an average height of 8.5cm and has 6 leaves, and has 3 plants
 grew and the clay soil which has the least amount of toxins has the longest average height

with 10cm and has 8 leaves, and all of the plants grew.

Table 1: Observation on the Number of Leaves of Mung Bean

(Vigna radiata) for the 4 Different Setups of Soil Samples

Number of Leaves per Day

Type of Soil Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5

Clay 0 2 3 5 8

Loam 0 1 3 4 6

Polluted 0 0 1 3 4

Sand 0 0 0 1 3

Table 2: Observation on the Final Average Height of Mung Bean (Vigna radiata) for 5

days

Type of Soil Final Average Height (cm) Description

Clay 10 All plants grew

Loam 8.5 All plants grew but 1 is short

Polluted 5.5 Only 2 plants grew

Sand 4 Only 1 grew

Summary of Findings

Based on the results of the experiment, the researchers determine the following points:

a. Mung bean (Vigna radiata) can be used as a bio-assay for various soil samples.

b. If the average height of the mung bean (Vigna radiata) is less than 8.5cm and has less than

6 leaves it has a large amount of toxins.

c. If the average height of the mung bean (Vigna radiata) is greater than or equal to 8.5cm

and has greater than or equal to 6 leaves, it has a small amount of toxins.

Conclusion

Mung bean (Vigna radiata) do determine the toxicity level of various soil samples.