The Effect of Vitamin A on Sunflowers Exposed to Bacteria

Researched by Jonathan A.
1999-2000 

PURPOSE

The purpose of this experiment was to determine if vitamin A has an effect on the growth of a sunflower injected with a bacteria, Pseudomonas syringae syringae.
I became interested in this idea while reading through a book about botany. I became even more interested when thinking how it could help my mother in our garden and local farmers in growing a plentiful crop.

The information gained from this experiment may be used by farmers and family gardeners to protect their crop or flowers from plant bacteria.


HYPOTHESIS

I hypothesize that the vitamin A solution will help the sunflower injected with bacteria live longer and grow taller. 

I base my hypothesis on information I have collected about vitamin A which tells me that it protects against diseases and helps build body parts in humans. This may also be true for the sunflower and other plants. 

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EXPERIMENT DESIGN

The constants in this study were:
- the size and type of the sunflower 
- the amount of soil in each pot(0.25 kg)
- the amount of water each plant received
- the amount of light each plant was exposed to
- the temperature at which the plants were grown
- the size of the pot each plant is grown in
- the brand and size of the vitamin A caplets
- the type of the bacteria(Pseudomonas syringae syringae)
- the procedures used in testing

The manipulated variable was the vitamin A solution given to group A and D. There were four groups (A, B, C, D) consisting of 11 sunflowers each. Only two groups, A and B, received the Pseudomonas syringae syringae and will serve as the experimental groups, while C and D will be bacteria free and serve as the controls.  Group C will control for the effect of vitamin A on the health of diseased.  Group D will act as a true control: no vitamin A and no bacteria inoculation.

The responding variable will be the growth of the sunflowers. 
To measure the responding variable I will record the height of the growth and how long the plants live after the inoculation of the Pseudomonas syringae syringae. 

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MATERIALS
 
QUANTITY ITEM DESCRIPTION
44   sunflower seeds
40 caplets beta carotene(vitamin A)
16 pints tap water
44 flower pots
11 kg.  commercial grade potting soil
1 can disinfectant
1 inoculating needle
1 candle
1 book matches
1 meter stick
1 water container(1 pint)
N/A pseudomonas syringae syringae
1  grow light

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PROCEDURES

1. Divide the sunflowers into four groups A, B, C, and D (approximately 44 seeds, 11 in each group). 
2. Germinate the seeds in groups A and D in beta carotene solution( 5 caplets to  0.5 liter water).
3. Germinate the seeds from B and C in tap water only.
4. After the seeds have germinated, plant them in the flower pots with the commercial grade potting soil.
5. Water the plants from group A and D with the beta carotene solution twice a week at even intervals.
6. Water the plants from group B and C twice a week at even intervals with tap water only.
7. Allow the plants to grow approximately 5 - 7 centimeters, after which the plants in groups A and B will be ready for inocutation..
8. Put on one pair of gloves, providing protection for hands.
9. Thoroughly clean the working area with disinfectant.
10. Take one match and light the small candle placed on the working area.
11. After candle is lit, blow out the match and place in bucket of cold water to extinguish the flame.
12. Sterilize the inoculating needle by holding the tip for three seconds in the flame of the candle.
13. Draw some of the pseudomonas syringae syringae culture onto the needle tip.
14. With a slight poke inject the plants from group A in the stem with the pseudomonas syringae syringae.
15. Sterilize the needle once again by holding the tip for three seconds in the flame of the candle.
16. Now draw some more pseudomonas syringae syringae culture onto the needle tip.
17. With this supply of pseudomonas syringae syringae inject the plants from group B in the stem with the inoculating needle.
18. Do not inoculate the plants from group C and D, because they represent the control group.
19. Continue to water the plants in group A and D twice a week with the beta carotene solution.
20. Continue to water the plants in group B and C twice a week with tap water only.
21. Any deterioration of plants store in plastic bag, sealed tightly and throw away. 
22. Record growth rates of the plants each week and note their appearance and rate of deterioration.

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RESULTS

The original purpose of this experiment was to determine if vitamin A would affect the growth and deterioration of a sunflower innoculated with pseudomonas syringae  syringae. 

The results of the experiment were that the average height of the plants of variable group A was greater than that of the other variable groups.  The plants of group A also showed lesser rate of deterioration.    The group with the least amount of growth was group  B. 

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CONCLUSION

My hypothesis was that the plants that received the beta carotene solution would grow more, deteriorate less, and live a longer life.

The results indicate that this hypothesis should be accepted.  The sunflower plants seem to grow and live longer with the beta carotene solution. 

Because of the results of this experiment, I wonder if the method of applying the vitamin A would affect the growth of the sunflowers. I would change it to a spray that would be much easier to use for farmers and gardeners.  I could also change the vitamins to B or C. The kind of bacteria might also be a helpful change. 

These findings could be useful to local farmers and gardeners, suggesting that when plants are introduced to bacterium they should act quickly with a vitamin A solution. 

If I were to conduct this project again I would change the method of applying the vitamin A into a spray solution that would be much easier to use for farmers and gardeners.  I would also provide a larger amount of soil for each seed.  I would also change the vitamins to vitamin B and C.

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RESEARCH REPORT

Introduction 

 The understanding of cancer has greatly increased since it’s first appearance around one hundred years ago.  Plant diseases are estimated to cause annual losses of more than several billion dollars.  Cancer is an affect taken to the normal growth pattern of humans, plants, and animals. When exposed to cancer, cells in the body grow and divide at an unhealthy rate destroying healthy tissue, endangering life.  A cancerous cell divides endlessly, crowding nearby healthy cells and eventually spreading to other parts of the body.  Today it is know that large doses of vitamin A and C can help prevent some cases of cancer. 

Sunflower

 The sunflower is a giant compared to other flowers.  It has a rough, hairy stem, 1 to 4 meters (3 to 12 feet) tall.  The leaves are also rough ranging from 3 to 12 inches (8 to 30cm) long, and the flower head may be 1 foot wide.  The flower head is flat, with a brown , yellow, or purple disk surrounded by numerous yellow ray florets.  The scientific name for the common sunflower is H. annuus.  There is more than 67 different types of sunflowers, some tall growing and others slightly shorter.  The sunflower gets its name for its large blossom following the sun around the sky.  The stem bends towards the light.  Although you might think the sunlight side of the stem grows faster, the truth is the darker side grows faster.  People grow sunflowers for a living, cultivating them for their oily seeds.

Vitamin A

 Vitamin A is also called retinal.  In nutrition, large doses of vitamins A and C have been proven to cure some cases of cancer. Vitamin A occurs naturally in animals only.  Vitamin A helps maintain the skin, eyes, urinary tract, and lining of the nervous, respiratory, and digestive systems.  Is needed for healthy bones and teeth.  Vitamin A is essential for the development of babies before birth, and the growth of children.  People who do not get enough vitamin A may develop a condition called exrophthalmia, in which the surface of the eye becomes dry and likely to develop infection.  Plants contain substances called carotenes, which the plant converts into vitamin A.  The sources for this vitamin can be found in the following items: butter, carrots, dark green leafy vegetables, eggs, fish, oil, liver, milk, sweet potatoes, and deep yellow fruits. 
 
 

Bacteria

 Bacteria are sorted into two groups: helpful bacteria and harmful bacteria.  Some helpful bacteria live in human intestines and animals.  These bacteria help digestion and destroy harmful organisms.  Intestinal bacteria also produce some vitamins needed by the human body, and help decompose (break down) dead organisms and animal wastes into chemical elements.  Other bacteria help change chemical elements into forms that can be used by plants and animals.  Harmful bacteria prevents the body from functioning properly, destroying healthy cells.  These harmful bacteria enter the body through it’s natural openings such as the nasal passage, mouth, and openings in the skin.  Diseases that bacteria have introduced to humans are: cholera, gonorrhea, leprosy, pneumonia, syphilis, typhoid fever, and whooping cough. 

Summary

 Bacteria play a very important role in the lives of humans today. The helpful bacteria produce vitamins needed by the human body, help decompose dead organisms and animal wastes into chemical elements, and the remaining bacteria  help change chemical elements into forms that can be used by plants and animals.  There are some harmful bacteria which prevent the body from functioning properly, destroying healthy cells.  Some special species of bacteria are carcinogens.  This bacteria can be the cause of some types of cancer.  Cancer is an abnormal affect taken to the normal growth pattern of humans, plants, and animals. A cancerous cell grows and divides at an unhealthy rate destroying healthy tissue and endangering life.  In some cases large doses of vitamin A and C have been proven to help prevent some signs of cancer.  Vitamin A is needed for healthy teeth and bones.  This vitamin is also an essential for the growth and defvelopment of babies and small children. 
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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bochinski, Julianne, The Complete Handbook  of Science Fair Projects, Canada,  John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1996. Pp. 58-60

"Cancer" Compton’s New Media Encyclopedia, 1995.

"Carcinogen" Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, 1998.

"Carcinogen" Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia, 1999.

" Diseases of Plants" Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia, 2000.

Herbert,Victor. "Vitamins," World Book, 1995.  Vol. 20, pp.445-448

McIntosh,Christopher. "Cancer," World Book, 1995. Vol. 3, pp.167-174

"Plant Diseases" World Book Encyclopedia, 1999. Vol.15, pp.543-545

"Sunflower" Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia, 1995.

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