Laboratory Activity: Field Visit to Investigate Respiration in Plants and Its Impact on Crop

Production

Objective: The objective of this laboratory activity is to observe and study the process of
respiration in plants, particularly its role in crop production. Through a field visit, students
will gain a deeper understanding of how respiration affects crop growth and yield.

Materials:

1. Clipboards
2. Data collection sheets
3. Pencils or pens
4. Field guides or crop identification resources
5. Stopwatches or timers
6. Measuring tape
7. Thermometer
8. Soil testing kits (optional)

Procedure:

1. Select a local agricultural field or garden where different crops are being grown.
Ensure access to a variety of crop types, such as corn, rice, or vegetables.
2. Divide the students into small groups and provide each group with a clipboard, data
collection sheet, pencil/pen, field guide, stopwatch or timer, measuring tape,
thermometer, and optional soil testing kits.
3. Instruct the students to choose a specific crop plant they would like to study. It is
helpful if they can identify the crop type accurately.
4. Have the students start by measuring and recording the following information about
the selected crop: a. Plant height b. Number of leaves c. Leaf color and condition d.
Soil temperature (measure a few inches below the surface) e. Soil moisture (using the
soil testing kits, if available)
5. Instruct the students to carefully observe the selected crop plant and its surrounding
environment. Take note of any visible signs of stress, diseases, or pests that might be
affecting the plant.
6. Discuss with the students the concept of respiration in plants. Explain that respiration
is the process through which plants take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide, which
is crucial for their energy production.
7. Ask the students to predict how respiration might be affected by the environmental
conditions they have observed, such as temperature, moisture, and the health of the
plant.
8. After the initial observations, instruct the students to use the stopwatch or timer to
measure the rate of transpiration of the selected crop. To do this, they should: a. Select
a healthy leaf on the plant. b. Cover the leaf with a clear plastic bag, sealing it tightly
around the stem. c. Wait for a specified amount of time (e.g., 30 minutes) while
ensuring that the bag is airtight.
9. After the designated time, have students carefully remove the plastic bag and observe
any condensation or changes in the covered leaf. Discuss their observations in the
context of respiration.
10. Have the students answer the following questions:
a. What is respiration in plants, and why is it essential for crop production?

b. How did the environmental factors (temperature, moisture, plant health) affect the
crop they observed?

c. What did you observe in the covered leaf when measuring transpiration, and how
does it relate to respiration?

d. How might changes in environmental conditions impact the respiration rate of crop
plants and, consequently, crop yield?

e. How can farmers or gardeners optimize conditions to ensure efficient respiration in

crops?
Laboratory Activity: Field Visit to Investigate Transpiration in Plants

Objective: The objective of this laboratory activity is to observe and study the process of
transpiration in plants in their natural environment. Through a field visit, students will gain a
better understanding of how transpiration works and its significance in plant physiology.

Materials:

1. Clipboards
2. Data collection sheets
3. Pencils or pens
4. Field guides or plant identification resources
5. Stopwatch or timer
6. Plastic bags (ziplock bags work well)
7. Measuring tape or ruler
8. Thermometer
9. Hygrometer (optional)

Procedure:

1. Select an outdoor location, such as a garden, park, or forested area, where a variety of
plant species can be found.
2. Divide the students into small groups, and provide each group with a clipboard, data
collection sheet, pencil/pen, field guide, stopwatch or timer, plastic bags, measuring
tape or ruler, thermometer, and optionally a hygrometer.
3. Instruct the students to select a plant or tree in the chosen location. They should
choose a plant with leaves that are healthy and large enough for easy observation.
4. Have the students measure and record the following information about the selected
plant: a. Plant species (if known) b. Leaf size and shape c. Number of leaves on the
plant d. Leaf color and condition e. Ambient temperature f. Relative humidity (if a
hygrometer is available)
5. Explain the concept of transpiration to the students. Transpiration is the process by
which plants release water vapor into the atmosphere through small openings called
stomata on their leaves.
6. Instruct the students to choose a healthy leaf on the plant, and carefully place a plastic
bag over the leaf, ensuring it is tightly sealed around the stem. This will create a
sealed environment around the leaf.
7. Start a timer or stopwatch and ask the students to wait for a specific amount of time
(e.g., 30 minutes) while closely observing the plastic bag-covered leaf.
8. After the designated time, have the students carefully remove the plastic bag and
inspect any condensation or changes in the covered leaf.
9. Discuss the observations and have students answer the following questions:

a. What is transpiration, and why is it important for plants?

b. How does the structure of the leaf, including stomata, play a role in transpiration?

c. What did you observe in the covered leaf after the allotted time, and how does it
relate to transpiration?
d. How did environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and leaf size
influence the rate of transpiration?

e. Why is it important for plants to have a balance between water loss through
transpiration and water uptake from the soil?
Laboratory Activity: Investigating Factors Affecting Crop Production

Objective: The objective of this laboratory activity is to investigate and understand the impact
of both environmental factors and genotype factors on crop production. By conducting
experiments in a controlled setting, students will gain insights into how these factors affect
plant growth and yield.

Materials:

1. Pots or containers for growing plants

2. Soil
3. Seeds of a crop plant (e.g., a common crop like wheat, corn, or soybeans)
4. Light source (e.g., grow lights or access to natural sunlight)
5. Temperature-controlled environment (e.g., a greenhouse or growth chamber)
6. Watering cans or spray bottles
7. Thermometers
8. Data collection sheets
9. Labels for pots
10. Rulers or measuring tapes

Procedure:

Note: This laboratory activity will require several weeks to complete, as it involves observing
plant growth over time. It is recommended to divide the class into groups, with each group
focusing on one specific factor (environmental or genotype) for the experiment.

Part 1: Environmental Factors

1. Divide the students into groups, with each group assigned to investigate one
environmental factor. Common factors to consider include temperature, light
intensity, and moisture. Each group will set up an experiment to manipulate and study
their assigned factor.
2. Prepare pots or containers with soil for planting. Label each pot with the group's name
and the specific environmental factor they are testing.
3. Plant the crop seeds in the labeled pots according to the instructions on the seed
packet.
4. Create controlled conditions for each environmental factor. For example:
o Temperature: Use a temperature-controlled environment (e.g., a greenhouse)
and set different temperature regimes for each group.
o Light intensity: Use grow lights or control the exposure to natural sunlight.
o Moisture: Water the pots according to a specific schedule, varying the
watering frequency for each group.
5. Maintain a data collection sheet to record daily or weekly observations, including
plant height, number of leaves, and overall plant health.
6. Allow the plants to grow for several weeks or until they reach a mature stage.

Part 2: Genotype Factors

1. For the genotype factor, each group will investigate the impact of different crop
varieties or genotypes on crop production.
 2. Prepare pots or containers with soil for planting and label them with the group's name
and the specific crop variety they are testing.
3. Plant the crop seeds of the selected varieties in the labeled pots.
4. Maintain consistent environmental conditions for all the groups. Keep the
temperature, light, and moisture levels the same for each group.
5. Record observations over time, including plant height, number of leaves, and overall
plant health.
6. Allow the plants to grow for several weeks or until they reach a mature stage.

Concluding Activities:

1. Have each group present their findings to the class, discussing the impact of their
assigned factor (environmental or genotype) on crop growth and yield.
2. Encourage students to compare and contrast the results of the different groups and
draw conclusions about the significance of these factors in crop production.
3. Discuss the real-world applications and implications of the findings. For example,
how can farmers optimize environmental conditions and crop varieties to enhance
crop production in their region?

This laboratory activity allows students to gain practical experience in designing and
conducting experiments to investigate the factors affecting crop production. It also promotes
critical thinking and data analysis while highlighting the importance of both environmental
and genotype factors in agriculture.