University of Arkansas - AgriScience Project

AGRISCIENCE EXERCISE

PLANT SCIENCE & BIOTECHNOLOGY

Sub-Concept: Roots

Agricultural Application: A plant's roots play a vital role in its overall health and vigor. Agriculturalists must understand how roots function in order to ensure the most efficient crop growth.

Exercise: Root Strength

Applied Principle(s): Root growth and functions

Goals:

1. Explain how a plant's roots develop.
2. Test the strength of plant roots.

Materials:

• Egg shells (1/2 per student)
• Potting soil
• Marigold seeds (4-5 per student)
• Permanent marker
• Egg cartons (enough to hold each student's egg shell)
• Shallow trays to hold cartons
• Spray bottle with water

References: Ardley, N. (1991). The Science Book of Things That Grow. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Trudeau, M. (1994). Plant Morphology & Taxonomy. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Instructional Materials Service.

Teacher Preparation Notes:

• You will need to collect the eggshells ahead of time. Be sure to rinse them thoroughly, to avoid unpleasant odors while they are stored.
• Depending upon the amount of time available, you may wish to start this activity yourself to use as a demonstration for your class when you get to the roots discussion. If you choose this option, it is suggested that you start the first of about 10 eggshells 6 weeks prior to the day you wish to use it in class. By progressively starting an eggshell every 4 days, you will have a complete set of plants to demonstrate the progression of root growth leading to the final result.
• Another option for this activity is to allow the students to choose the seeds which they plant in the eggshells. They can decide which plants they believe will produce the "strongest" root systems, then watch to determine which grow the fastest, which break through the eggshells first, etc.

Procedures for Conducting the Activity:

- Do a plant's roots have "muscles?"

- Have you ever seen a sidewalk (or some other concrete/asphalt surface) buckle and crack due to tree roots? What do you think this indicates?

- How strong are baby roots? Today we will set up an experiment to test this idea.

2. Provide each student with the needed materials.

3. Instruct the students to label their eggshells before proceeding further.

4. Have the students place some soil in the shells, then plant about 4 to 5 seeds just under the soil surface.

5. Students should place their experiment set-ups into an egg carton, which is placed in a shallow tray.

6. Thoroughly moisten the soil using a spray bottle filled with water.

7. Students should check their seeds every day, and water when necessary.

8. After about 5 weeks, the roots of the seedlings should crack the bottom of the eggshell and grow through it.

9. At the conclusion of the exercise, have students discuss the implications of their observations. Be sure to make note of the practical agricultural applications of the principles demonstrated.

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