Crop Nutrition Lab Report

September 9, 2020 – September 30, 2020

Objective
In this lab, we are observing nutrient deficiencies and the effects they have in plants compared
to plants with a complete nutritional exposure.

Introduction
My initial hypothesis was that because Nitrogen is a mobile nutrient, the plant in the Nitrogen
poor solution would exhibit symptoms of deficiency on the older leaves first, then grow less
effectively than the plant in the complete nutrient solution.

Materials and Procedures

We chose two Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seedlings which were planted in river
sand. One of these seedlings was to be placed in a complete nutrient solution as a control and
the other in a solution which would mimic Nitrogen poor conditions. Shown below is the
content of each solution along with a key to each compound used in the solutions.
We removed the seedlings from the sand, carefully washed the roots with distilled water, then
removed the cotyledons to remove the plants’ access to nutrients from the cotyledons. This is
to assure that the only nutrients the plants receive are from their respective solutions. We then
measured and documented the root length, shoot length, and number of leaves on each plant
weekly for four weeks.

Results
In week 1, both plants were of similar health and size. The leaves did not show signs of chlorosis
or necrosis, as would be evident with a nutrient deficiency. The table below shows the root
length, stem length, leaf number, and descriptions of each plant as they were measured each
week.
Plant in Complete Solution
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4
Root 4.5 cm 11 25 25
Length (cm)
Shoot 15 17.5 26.5 38
Length (cm)
Leaf Number 5 7 10 14
Description Oldest leaves are Normal Normal Normal
largest, minor
mottling on veins

Plant in Nitrogen Poor Solution

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4
Root 5.5 13 21 24
Length (cm)
Shoot 14 16 19 26
Length (cm)
Leaf Number 4 6 6 7
Description Mottled yellowing Chlorosis, necrosis Chlorosis,
on older leaves necrosis,
browning

Discussion
Chlorosis, necrosis, browning, stunted growth and poor leaf production are all symptoms of
Nitrogen deficiency. The plant in the complete nutrient solution exhibited none of these
symptoms, while the plant in the nitrogen poor solution exhibited all of them. This is a standard
case of Nitrogen deficiency.
Conclusion
My hypothesis was correct in that the plant in the Nitrogen poor solution exhibited symptoms
of deficiency on the lower leaves first and grew less effectively than the plant in the complete
solution. This is a good way to determine the effects of nutrient deficiency on plants and
compare them to plants with a nutrient rich diet.