Annex A - Group Research Proposal

Investigative Skills in Science
Research Proposal Form

Project Title: Investigation of the effect of electricity on the growth of hydroponic plants.

Class

S2-04

Group:

B

SN	Name of student	Email
1	Jian Wen	chin_jian_wen@s2019.ssts.edu.sg
2	Yew Shuen	ang_yew_shuen@s2019.ssts.edu.sg
3	Quentin	yeo_zong_wei_quentin@s2019.ssts.edu.sg

Type of research:
X	Test a hypothesis: Hypothesis-driven research
	Measure a value: Experimental research (I)
	Measure a function or relationship: Experimental research (II)
	Construct a model: Theoretical sciences and applied mathematics
	Observational and exploratory research

Category of research:	Sub-category:
Plant science	Development and Growth
Reference	https://sst2019-iss.blogspot.com/p/l2-types-of-research-categoriessub.html

Research Plan

Project Title: Investigation of the effect of electricity on the growth of hydroponic  plants 

1. RATIONALE: 

Nowadays, food from a soilless culture is more widespread due to the limited space of cultivation, including labour costs. (Kim, 2017)

One of the biggest unsolved problems in the world is world hunger. After nearly a decade of progress, the number of people who suffer from hunger has slowly increased over the past three years, with about one in every nine people globally suffering from hunger today. 17.2% of the world population or 1.3 billion people lacked regular access to nutritious and sufficient food (UN news website, 2019). Even though they are not necessarily suffering from hunger, they are at higher risk of various forms of malnutrition and poor health. More than 820 million people worldwide are still hungry (UN news website,2019). Moreover, our current global situation is emphasising the issues of food shortages around the world, especially in impoverished areas.

The food shortage is expected to increase over the years as the global population rises (Stephens, 2019). Cultivating plants in soilless culture in vertical farms, also known as growing hydroponics, is especially useful to feed starving people in areas that are not suited to agriculture production. The technology, in this case enhancing plant’s growth, can be transported to desserts, rural areas and places facing famine, providing a source of cheap and nutritious food to those who need it most (Business insider, 2017). When using traditional farming, there will be an issue of the use of fertilisers and pesticides. When the plant does not absorb these chemicals, they will be washed away into rivers and cause eutrophication, an environmental threat. Instead of using fertilisers, people can use electricity. That will reduce the use of chemicals in traditional farming, which can produce healthier, organic, nutritious food for people. Hydroponics use less space as racks of plants can on top of the other. Vegetable farming can be used worldwide, regardless of climate or situation. (Ang，2017）

Moreover, climate change is threatening global food security. Plants cannot adapt fast enough to the warming climate; its growth and health are greatly affected. Using electricity, it can help the plants to adapt to climate change. It is also cleaner to grow plants without soil as the roots are free of common soil diseases (Ang, 2017),

Hydroponics is excellent, but what if it could be improved further? By providing the hydroponic’s water solution with electricity, it could observe what nutrients it would give the plant no fertilisers offer that can enhance the plant’s growth with electricity. Hence, hydroponic farms with this technology could be placed at areas facing food shortages. That way, when growing crops, it would be more sustainable, and there would be enough food for everyone. If electricity does improve the growth of hydroponics, it will produce more food or better food quality in a shorter time; food would be easily obtained, thus leading to less hungry people in the world.

The research experiment is to find out whether electricity will enhance the growth of hydroponic plants, and what voltage would be the most suitable for it.

2. RESEARCH QUESTION(S):

2.1 Research question being addressed 

To find the optimal voltage for plant growth

2.2 Hypothesis

Our hypothesis is that the higher the voltage across the mung plants,
the faster it will grow, until a point in which the speed of the growth of the plant will drastically
decrease.

2.2.1 Independent variable

The voltage across the plants

2.2.2 Dependent variable 

Height of plant

2.2.3 Controlled variables

(a)  Duration of electricity exposed

(b)  The type of nutrients

(c)  The amount of light 

(d)  The temperature of the surroundings

(e)  The type of plant

(f)   Type of steel band

(g)  The type of nutrients

(h)  Type of batteries

(i)   The type of crocodile clips

(j)   The number of nutrients in the water/ amount of nutrient water

2.3 How is this based on the rationale described above?

By finding out the most suitable voltage which enhances the plant’s growth,
we can gain a better understanding of producing food using electricity and hydroponics.
If the hypothesis is proven correct, then food can be more efficiently grown, and it will allow food
to be more accessible to people, reducing starvation in the world.

3.    Method

3.1 Equipment list:

-30x mung beans (takes 2 to 3 days to germinate)
- 5x Plastic containers (10.5cm in height, 19cm in breadth and 32cm in length)
- Nutrient water
- Normal water
- Steel bands
- 5 Crocodile clip test leads
- 2 Lamps
- 10x 1.5v AA batteries
- 10x 1 slot battery holders
- 10 mesh pots
- 10 small sponges (growing medium)
- Soldering iron and solder
- 500-ml measuring cylinder
- 15 cm ruler
- Hand drill and drill bit(4.8cm)

3.2 Diagrams

Figure 1: Experimental setup



figure 2





2.3 Procedures

1. Drill 2 x 48mm holes around 4 cm away from the centre of the lid (Figure 2.2.1)
2. Drill 2 x 15mm holes at the opposite ends of the plastic lid (Figure 2.2.1)
3. Plant 3 mung beans in each sponge and put the sponges in mesh pots
4. Repeat step 1 and 2  for 12 sponges
5. Place batteries in the battery holders and connect them in series with terminal connectors (Figure 2.2.1)
6. Set wiring for the plants (Figure 2.2.1)
7. Put the mesh pots onto the holes in the lid of the container  (Figure 2.2.)
8. Mix the water with nutrient water in the recommended ratio (10ml of each solution for every 1L of water) using a measuring cup
9. Pour mixture into each of the containers, equally, using a 500ml measuring cylinder
10. Stick copper strips on 2 opposite ends of the box
11. Connect crocodile clips from the batteries to the copper strips
12. Repeat step 7 to 13 for the all of the set-ups
13. Leave all the set-ups on for 10 mins daily

2.4 Data Analysis: Describe the procedures you will use to analyze the data/results. 

14. Record the height of the plant from the top of the sponge to the top of the plant using a ruler.
15. Calculate the average height of the top 2 plants’ in each of the set-ups
16. Put the findings in a table
17. Repeat step 15 to 18 for the rest of the set-ups
18. Repeat step 17 to 19 every day
19. Plot the average height in each set-up into a line graph against the time frame to observe the trend of growth

2.5 Risk Assessment and Management  

Risk	Assessment	Management
Accidental consumption of nutrient water for plants	Medium	Avoid touching consumables after contact with nutrient water before washing hands thoroughly
NPK (nutrient water) is dangerous and can cause skin redness, burning sensation on the skin, itchy skin, burning of the nose, eyes, or throat (Amber Erickson Gabbey, 2012)	Medium	Wash hands with soap after using the nutrient water
Accidental inhalation of plastic when drilling holes in the plastic lid of the box	Medium	Hold your breath when drilling
Accidental injury from using power tools like the drill	Medium	Stay clear when from the person using the power tool and be careful at all times
Edges of the cut copper strips are sharp	Low	Handle the cut copper strips properly

5. References: List at least three (3) major sources (e.g. science journal articles, books, internet sites) from your literature review. Choose the APA format and use it consistently to reference the literature used in the research plan. List your entries in alphabetical order for each type of source.

Science Journal Articles:

Kim, B. (2017). Electrical Stimulation and Effects on Plant Growth in Hydroponics. Medwelljournals.Com. Retrieved January 17, 2020, from https://medwelljournals.com/abstract/?doi=jeasci.2017.4396.4399

Books:

Ang.W. (2017). Mini Science Encyclopedia. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Education.

Internet sites:

Business insider (2017). Scientists made food from electricity-and it could help world hunger. Retrieved January 17, 2020, from https://www.businessinsider.com/scientists-made-food-from-electricity-could-help-fight-world-hunger-2017-7?IR=T

Gabbey, A. E. (2012, August 20). Fertilizer and Plant Food Poisoning. Healthline; Healthline Media. Retrieved January 17, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/fertilizers-and-household-plant-foods#symptoms

Stephens, O (2019). How hydroponics can solve world hunger. Retrieved 17 January 2020 from https://thehydroponicsplanet.com/how-hydroponics-can-solve-world-hunger/

WHO (world health organisation) website(2019). Over 820 million people suffering from hunger; the new UN report reveals stubborn realities of ‘immense’ global challenge– UN report. Retrieved 16 January 2020 from Over 820 million people suffering from hunger; new UN report …

6. Bibliography: List at least three (3) major sources (e.g. science journal articles, books, internet sites) from your literature review. Choose the APA format and use it consistently to reference the literature used in the research plan. List your entries in alphabetical order for each type of source. It should also include at least the 3 entries in the References section.

Science Journal Articles:

Kim, B. (2017). Electrical Stimulation and Effects on Plant Growth in Hydroponics. Medwelljournals.Com. Retrieved January 17, 2020, from https://medwelljournals.com/abstract/?doi=jeasci.2017.4396.4399

Books:

Ang.W. (2017). Mini Science Encyclopedia. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Education.

Internet sites:

Business insider (2017). Scientists made food from electricity-and it could help world hunger. Retrieved January 17 2020, from https://www.businessinsider.com/scientists-made-food-from-electricity-could-help-fight-world-hunger-2017-7?IR=T

Electroculture. (2009). Electroculture, Good Vibes for Agriculture. Retrieved 15 January 2020, from https://www.electrocultureandmagnetoculture.com/

Gabbey, A. E. (2012, August 20). Fertilizer and Plant Food Poisoning. Healthline; Healthline Media. Retrieved January 17, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/fertilizers-and-household-plant-foods#symptoms

Jacquelyn Jeanty. "The Effects of Electricity on Plant Life" Your Source for Sources. Retrieved 20 Jan 2020, from https://www.ehow.com/list_7531004_effects-electricity-plant-life.html

Kelly, R. L. (1970). Plant nutrients in the soil. Retrieved 15 January 2020 from https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/soils/improvement/plant-nutrients

Max (2019) The Kratky method - Grow Food The Passive Hydroponic Way (Step by Step Guide). Retrieved January 14, 2020, from https://www.greenandvibrant.com/the-kratky-method

Stephens, O (2019). How hydroponics can solve world hunger. Retrieved 17 January 2020 from https://thehydroponicsplanet.com/how-hydroponics-can-solve-world-hunger/

WHO (world health organisation) website(2019). Over 820 million people suffering from hunger; the new UN report reveals stubborn realities of ‘immense’ global challenge– UN report. Retrieved 16 January 2020 from Over 820 million people suffering from hunger; new UN report …

Straits Times (2019). Climate change threatens global food security: IPCC report. Retrieved January 18 from https://www.straitstimes.com/world/world-can-feed-itself-fight-climate-change-if-it-adopts-right-recipe-for-farming-ipcc-report

Woodford, C. (2019) Hydroponics. Retrieved January 14, 2020, from https://www.explainthatstuff.com/hydroponics.html

Wikihow (2019, December 19). How to Germinate Seeds in Hydroponics. Retrieved January 31 from https://www.wikihow.com/Germinate-Seeds-in-Hydroponics

Wikihow (2019) How to mix Hydroponics Nutrients. Retrieved January 31 from https://www.wikihow.com/Mix-Hydroponics-Nutrients

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