Water the Plants! Add Sugar? Would Adding Sugar to the Water Increase the Growth of Plants? | Science project | Education.com (2024)

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Water the Plants! Add Sugar? Would Adding Sugar to the Water Increase the Growth of Plants?

Science project

Water the Plants! Add Sugar? Would Adding Sugar to the Water Increase the Growth of Plants? | Science project | Education.com (1)

Grade Level: 6th - 8th; Type: Biology

Objective:

To determine if adding sugar to the water would increase the growth of plants?

Questions for Background Research:

  • What gives green plants their green color?
  • How do green plants obtain their food?
  • What is photosynthesis?
  • What is chlorophyll?
  • Are all sugars the same?
  • How do plants store sugar?
  • What are some of the methods being used to increase plant growth?
  • What is a control in an experiment?
  • Of what value is a control in this experiment?

On the information level, this experiment serves to acquaint students with basic information on the basic processes of the growth of green plants. Plants produce their own food by the process known as photosynthesis. The word photo synthesis when broken down into its component syllables yields photo meaning light and synthesis meaning putting together and thereby informs us that plants require light in order to produce their own food. Plants trap the sunlight and produce carbohydrates (sugars and starches) which in turn are converted into energy. It would seem logical to assume that were we to add sugar such as glucose to the water which plants require , we would increase the growth of the plant . Logical, yes? Will it work? Let us find out!

This science fair experiment also serves to acquaint students with the essential processes of sciencing such as the importance of the use of a control, of identifying dependent and independent variables, of data collection, of pictorial and or graphic presentation of data and of being able to make better judgments as to the validity and reliability of their findings. They take on the role of scientists and in the process they learn to act as one.

Materials:

  • six geranium plants of approximately the same size
  • sugar
  • water
  • a beaker
  • a graduated cylinder
  • a table spoon
  • a metric ruler
  • paper towels
  • a camera (if you wish to take photos of the procedure and the results).
  • These are all readily available from the local gardener, Home Depot or Wal-Mart’s.

Experimental Procedure:

  1. Gather all the materials you will need for this project. These include six geranium plants of approximately the same size, sugar, water, a beaker, a graduated cylinder, a tablespoon , a pen, labels, tape, paper towels and a camera (if you wish to take photos of the procedure and of the results).
  2. Copy the charts provided on the next page so that you can record the data on a daily basis and summarize your findings at the close of this project.
  3. Divide the geranium plants into 2 groups, one will serve as the experimental group and the other will serve as a control group. Label the plants in each group .The experimental group may be #1EXP, #2EXP and #3EXP, the control group may be #1CON, #2CON, and #3CON.
  4. Find a location where all of the plants can receive an equal exposure the sunlight. Place the plants there for the duration of the project, the next 14 days. You may wish to start taking photos now.
  5. Make up a sugar solution using four tablespoons of granulated sugar to every 32 ounces of water. In watering the plants you will give each plant the same amount of water. You can make the sugar solutions as you need them each day for 14 days. The control group will receive only water; however it will be the same amount of water as the experimental group.
  6. Observe all the plants and in your data chart record the height of each plant, the number of leaves and any additional observations that you think are worth noting. Continue this procedure for 14 days.
  7. Review all the recorded data and the photos you have taken. What are your conclusions? Write up your report. Make certain to include all of your research, your charts and your bibliography.
  8. Has this project given you any new ideas about further project for the coming year? If so, start planning now. Good Luck!

The Daily Chart of Observations

PlantsHeight of PlantsNumber of LeavesOther
#1EXP.
#2EXP.
#3EXP.
#1CON.
#2CON.
#3CON.

Summary Chart

PlantsAverage HeightAverage # of LeavesOther Data
Experimental Group
Control Group

Terms/Concepts: Green plants, photosynthesis, glucose, carbohydrates, starches, energy, hormones, plant respiration.

References:

Towle, A. Modern Biology, Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich 1991

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Water the Plants! Add Sugar? Would Adding Sugar to the Water Increase the Growth of Plants? | Science project | Education.com (2024)

FAQs

Would adding sugar to the water increase the growth of plants? ›

It seems logical to assume that if we add sugar when we water, we would increase the growth of the plant. However, too much sugar can actually cause reverse osmosis to occur, making the plant lose water and eventually die.

What happens when you water a plant with sugar water? ›

Not only are plant roots unable to take in sugar, but giving them sugar dissolved in water even blocks the roots from absorbing water. And a plant that does not get water wilts and eventually dies. Plants do photosynthesis on their own, self-regulating the amount of sugar they produce to grow.

How does water affect plant growth science project? ›

We found that the plants that were receiving little to no water grow almost as big as the set that was getting the required amount of water. The third set had plants growing but they had weak stems and couldn't stay upright. We also noticed that the plants didn't grow as big as the other sets.

How does sugar affect plants' growth? ›

Sugars are needed at all stages from seed, to cotyledon stage, to leaf development, stem development, fruit development and all stages in between. They (the sugars) further play a role in establishing the ratio of a plant's below ground growth and above ground growth (roots to shoots).

What happens if you add more sugar to the water? ›

When adding sugar to water it became a syrupy solution. Here sugar acts as solute, the water acts as solvent and syrupy acts as solution. When adding sugar to water, the disaccharide of sucrose is converted into monosaccharides of glucose and fructose.

What can you add to water to help plants grow? ›

plants, also use sugar to absorb nutrients in the soil. Adding sugar to water increases the amount of nutrients available to the plant, but only a small pinch should be used.

What happens when sugar is in water? ›

When sugar is put into water, the water molecules break the sugar into individual molecules. These molecules of sugar are then dispersed throughout the water and are so small that they cannot be individually seen. In such a state, the sugar is said to have dissolved in water.

Does sugar water make plants last longer? ›

Adding white granulated sugar to the vase water will give flowers nutrients they need to continue growing and developing. However, an antibacterial agent such as vinegar should also be added to prevent bacteria growth which can make the water appear cloudy and interrupt the stem's water uptake.

What is sugar water good for? ›

Sugar water gives our bodies a quick energy boost.

Most people know that having too much sugar in their diet is bad for their health. While it's true that nutritionists recommend that we get only approximately 10% of our daily calorie intake from sugars, there are times when our bodies demand an immediate energy boost.

What liquid makes plants grow faster? ›

After weeks of giving each plant different liquids(water, carbonated water, mango juice and pineapple soda), the conclusion is carbonated water grows plants the fastest and the healthiest.

What is the best water for plant growth? ›

Rain Water: is ideal for use on plants. Since it contains few contaminants, rain water is among the most desirable water sources to use on foliage and flowering plants. However, collecting rain water can be tedious. Distilled Water: is made from vaporizing water to steam and then cooling it down.

Why does water increase plant growth? ›

It is required for a seed to sprout, and as the plant grows, water carries nutrients throughout the plant. Water is responsible for several important functions within plant tissues. Water is necessary for photosynthesis, which is how plants use energy from the sun to create their own food.

What happens if you water plants with sugar? ›

Although it is not considered a fertilizer, you can use sugar if your plants aren't doing so well. Sugar water in plants can help the microorganisms in the soil break down all the nutrients. It is vastly not recommended, though, to use just the sugar as plant food to save them.

Is sugar from plants bad? ›

Natural sugars are safe to eat

Any sugar that is naturally occurring in a food gets the green light. That includes sugar in fruit and starchy vegetables, as well as whole or minimally processed carbohydrates like brown rice and whole grain pasta. Sugar in dairy products like milk and cheese is OK, too.

Can you give a plant too much sugar? ›

Remember to try to take it easy when applying sugar water or any other sweetener to your plants. Too much sugar can end up harming or even killing the plants.

How much sugar should I add to my plants' water? ›

Make up a sugar solution using four tablespoons of granulated sugar to every 32 ounces of water. In watering the plants you will give each plant the same amount of water. You can make the sugar solutions as you need them each day for 14 days.

What liquid will make a plant grow faster? ›

Carbonated water

Carbon Dioxide is a fundamental element of the photosynthesis cycle, without which the plants can't make their own sugar. Carbonated water includes macronutrients that are needed for their development.

Does salt or sugar affect plant growth? ›

The ½ tea spoon salt looked limp, really thin and dry (dehydrated). The ½ table spoon plant was the worst, it looked really limp and suffering. The data collected in this experiment suggested that plants grow much faster in sugar water and they limp and grow slower in salt water.

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