SRP Final Report Template

Inquiry Question
Investigate the impact of varied water acidity on the growth of Vigna Radiata sprouts

Background Information/Introduction (including Research)

Fossil fuel usage and other air pollutants released by

industrial practices has caused an increase in the natural
phenomenon known commonly as ‘acid rain’. Acid rain can
negatively affect agricultural crops by leaching vital nutrients
such as magnesium and potassium, negatively altering the soil
chemistry. This causes stunted growth and a reduced
agricultural yield. The acid rain also damages plant tissues,
destroying the leaves, leading to a decreased productivity in
photosynthesis. Experimenting on the effects of Acid Rain
on agriculture is an important area of study, as the increase
in global temperatures will lead to an increased frequency
in the occurrences of this phenomenon. Acid rain can
devastate not only ecological systems, but also our agricultural systems. For example, in the mid to
late 1900s, acid rain was considered a prevalent environmental disaster, destroying ecosystems in
the United States, Canada, and parts of China. The source of the acid was concluded to be largely
from sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which were released by fossil fuel combustion in cars,
and coal burning facilities. These industrial problems persist today, highlighting the importance of
research on the resilience of agricultural plants against acidity in order to prevent an agricultural
shortage or famine.

The inquiry question investigates the effects of changing pH

on the effects of Vigna Radiata plants, commonly known as
mung beans. The definition for pH (potential hydrogen) given
by Britannica states that pH can be defined as “a quantitative
measure of the acidity or basicity of aqueous and other liquid
solutions”. The pH scale ranges from 0 (Most acidic) to 14
(Most basic), with 7 being neutral. The acidity of a solution is
determined by a higher concentration of hydrogen ions (H+),
due to the acid’s ability to donate hydrogen ions. Acids have
properties such as corrosivity, pH values of less than 7, a sour
taste, and the ability to conduct electricity. Typically, the pH of
acids are measured using the universal indicator, where the
indicator will change the colour of the solution for red in the case of strong acidity. Another way to
measure acidity is with litmus paper, which turns the blue litmus paper red. For this experiment,
similar equipment will be used, with the more accessible aquarium pH test kits. Fish Tank pH kits
work by using pH sensitive dyes and will indicate yellow for acidity. The test kits also contain
sodium biphosphate- an acid that can be used to lower pH in the case of strong alkalinity, which is
used in the experiment to create the acidic solution that is used to water the sprouts. Minimal
research has been done on the effects of sodium bisphosphate on the growth of mung beans, but
due to its intended usage in an environment containing live fish and aquatic plants, it is assumed
that sodium biphosphate does not have major side effects upon exposure in smaller quantities.
The Vigna Radiata is the plant used in the experiment. Mung beans originated in the Indian
subcontinent, but are commonly used throughout cooking in many Asian countries. For this
experiment, A pH of below 5.5 is also expected to stunt growth completely, corroding the seed to
the point where it is impossible for it to even germinate. In order to avoid that, the seeds for this
experiment will be soaked and germinated first, to provide better results and filter out natural
variation between the beans as some will never end up sprouting. According to research, the
optimal acidity for mung beans to grow is around a ph of 6.5-7
(A. Ryczkowski, 2018) , which is slightly acidic to neutral. The values that are tested in this
experiment will include 5, 5.5, 6, with a control of 7, meaning that most of the sprouts in this
experiment will experience stunted growth.

Variable Table

Type of Identify and describe the Explain how you will manipulate (change),
variable variable measure or control the variable?
The pH of the liquid used to The solution used to water the plants will be
water the mung bean will be diluted with sodium biphosphate, with the
modified in this experiment, assigned plants receiving water of the
Independent altered with sodium corresponding pH. The solution with a pH of 5
(what you will be biphosphate to a pH of 5.0, 6.5, will be diluted with 2 grams of sodium
changing) 6.0, and 7.0. biphosphate. The same applies for the other
two solutions, which will respectively be given
1.5 grams (5.5 pH), and 1 gram (6 pH). The
control solution will have a pH of 7.
The growth of the Mung bean The growth of the Mung bean sprouts will be
plants in centimetres, measured measured at the end of the 2 week growing
Dependent from the stem, 2 weeks after period, with a ruler. The measurement will
(what you will be
measuring)
germination takes place. begin at the stem of the root to the top of the
plant. The root will not be measured for this
experiment.
Limitation of the amount of To limit the amount of insects and harmful
Control harmful pests and insects that pests that interfere with the results of the
(what you will may affect the outcome of the experiment, the plants will be grown indoors
keep the same) experiment. and monitored for signs of insect infestation
or activity.
The amount of sunlight received To ensure uniformity upon the light that is
across by the plants will also be received by the plants, they will be placed in
Control kept consistent. close proximity with each other to eliminate
(what you will potential differences in lighting due to
keep the same) placement. Placing the plants within the
vicinity of others also ensures that other
environmental conditions are similar too.
The temperature of the The plants will be grown in the same space
environment in which the and kept inside for the entire duration of the
Control sprouts are grown in will remain experiment. The thermostat of the room
(what you will
keep the same)
constant and stable at a containing the plants will be kept at
temperature of twenty-two twenty-two degrees to avoid outside
degrees Celsius. interference and temperature variations.
 The brand of soil (Scotts – I will be only using soil sourced from one
Osmocote premium planting specific bag of “Scotts – Osmocote premium
Control mix) and the amount of soil planting mix” to reduce any inequalities and
(what you will
keep the same)
used (measured in grams with a eliminate differences within soil acidity and
kitchen scale and cup, 70 grams amount of fertiliser, organic material, and
per pot). nutrients in the soil.

Aim
To determine the effect of a sodium biphosphate and water solution (pH values of 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, and
7.0) on the growth of mung bean (Vigna Radiata) plants, when factors such as soil type, amount of
sunlight received, and temperature are controlled.

Hypothesis
Increases in acidity should correlate with a decline in the growth of the Mung Bean sprouts.
The sprouts that will grow the most will be the ones watered with a solution of neutral pH (7.0). In
contrast, the sprout that is given the solution with a 5.0 pH will experience stunted growth. This is
due to the fact that the ideal pH level for optimal growth in a Mung Bean is around 6.5-7 (A.
Ryczkowski, 2018), which is only met by one of the control solutions. When the pH is not in its
optimal range, the plant may find it difficult to absorb necessary nutrients essential for growth,
which have been leached by the acidic environment. The acid solutions will also harm the physical
structure of the plants, hindering growth and leading to a less healthy plant with corroded leaves
and a damaged stem.

Equipment
50x Mung Bean seeds
4x Pots of similar size
2x Small containers of the same size and lid
1x Needle
1x Sheet of A4 paper
1x Pen
1x Measuring cup
1x Access to a tap with water of a neutral pH
1x Bag of Scotts Osmocote premium planting mix 5kg
1x Thermostat
1x 15cm Ruler
1x Aqua One Fish Tank pH testing kit (Includes indicator and Sodium Biphosphate 75g)
1x Kitchen Scale
1x Small dish for kitchen scale
1x Gloves
1x Safety goggles
1x Large Zip Lock bag
1x Facemask

Risk Assessment
There is a medium to low risk associated with the growth of Mungbeans. However, there are still
factors to be aware and cautious about:
Risk Risk Evaluation Precaution
Harmful symptoms can arise Medium risk - Could After handling Sodium
from the exposure and potentially be harmful if Biphosphate, ensure that
ingestion of Sodium proper hand washing is
 Biphosphate. Symptoms can caution is not taken whilst carried out with soap and
range from headaches, to handling Sodium Biphosphate. water. Do not ingest food
dizziness and vomiting. directly after touching the
chemical, and use safety gear
such as gloves and goggles
when handling it. Should
symptoms arise after exposure
to Sodium Biphosphate,
immediate medical help is
needed to prevent harm.
Risk of exposure to dangerous Low risk - Unlikely for harmful This risk can also be mitigated
microbes from the soil and bacteria to be present in seeds by proper hand washing.
beans, such as E. Coli or Avoid setting up the
Listeria, which could cause experiment near areas of the
disease and infections. house which are used to cook
Symptoms such as nausea, food, such as the kitchen.
vomiting, and and infection Avoid touching the soil and
can occur. seeds with bare hands. If
exposure or infection occurs,
immediately seek medical
assistance from doctors.
Mold growth due to the high Medium risk - Whilst it is not The room in which the plants
moisture requirements of the impossible for mold to grow in are grown in should be
Mung Bean being similar to your experiment, there are properly ventilated with air
the ideal conditions for fungal ways to lower this risk. conditioning or open
growth . Mold can induce windows. The pots in which
asthma, cause allergic the plants grow in should also
reactions such as a running be well-draining, to prevent
nose, and even potential excess moisture. If mold
infections in the lungs. becomes present in the
Vomiting and abdominal pain experiment, take precautions
may occur in the case that the by wearing a facemask to
mold is ingested. prevent spore inhalation,
gloves, and goggles to seal the
containers in an air tight
zip-lock bag to dispose of.

Method

1. Gather equipment in a well-ventilated and sunny room with a temperature regulating

thermostat.
2. Set the thermostat to 22 degrees celsius, and ensure this remains constant throughout the
experiment.
3. Now take the two same-sized containers, and poke holes in one with a needle.
4. Gather roughly 50 Mung Bean and place them in the container with holes.
5. Fill the other container with water, enough to fully submerge the Mung Beans (Around
100mL)
6. Stack the container with Mung Beans on top of the container with water, distributing the
beans evenly around the base of the container.
7. Lightly cover the container to retain moisture.
8. Soak the beans for 48 hours, draining and replacing the water in the bottom container
every 12 hours.
9. Using the same container as before, fill the container with 1 cm of soil.
10. Plant the seeds in, around 5mm deep.
11. Wait for the seeds to germinate and unearth the sprouts, choosing 12 sprouts of similar
size to be transplanted. Dispose of the rest.
12. Prepare the four small pots by filling them with 3cm of soil each.
13. Place the pots on a white sheet of paper, and label them each with their corresponding
solutions of varying pH (5.0, 5.5, 6.0, and 7.0)
14. Prepare the following solutions:
- 2 grams of Sodium Biphosphate per 25mL of water for the solution of 5.0 pH
- 1.5 grams of Sodium Biphosphate per 25mL of water for the solution of 5.5pH
- 1 gram of Sodium Biphosphate per 25mL of water for the solution of 6.0pH
- Normal Water for the solution of 7.0 pH
15. Plant 3 seedlings into each pot, and water with the equivalent solution.
16. Water the seedlings with 10mL once every 2 days.
17. Repeat until the 2 week period is finished, occasionally checking for mold growth and
appearance of insects.
18. To collect results, remove the plants from each pot and measure their lengths with a ruler,
starting from the stem to the top.
19. Properly discard the sprouts and soil as it may be a biohazard. Seal it inside of a ZipLock
bag. It can also be composted. Use gloves, goggles, and a face mask during disposal

Repeat Trial Table

Height of Mung Beans measured from stem (Cm)

Acidity of Solution used (pH) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

5.0 1.20 1.50 1.30 1.34

5.5 2.40 2.00 1.90 2.10

6.0 3.10 2.70 2.80 2.87

7.0 7.50 5.00 8.90 7.13

Qualitative Observations
During the experiment, some observations that were made included surprising results that
were not brought up during the background research or predicted in the hypothesis. The
major difference that was observed between the plants watered with acid-diluted water
and the neutral was the shape of the sprouts themselves. There was a very noticeable
“bend” in the sprouts watered with acids, whilst the control sprouts grew straight. The
plants watered with acid also showed signs of decay in plant structure, displayed corroded
leaves, browning in the stems, ‘burned’ roots, and stunted growth overall. In comparison,
the plants that received neutral water showed sturdy stems, were green in colour, and had
healthy leaves that were not corroded. These observations are consistent with the
background research conducted. The background research concluded that the increased
acidity of the water would cause structural damage to the plant structure and stunted
growth due to losses in nutrient availability.

Graph

Photos of investigation
Description of results
As shown in the graph and results table, the experiment was consistent with the hypothesis. As the
acidity in the water increased, the rate of growth in the beans decreased. The sprouts grown at 5.0
showed little to no growth from germination, only growing to an average of 1.34cm. Compared to
the neutral pH, which grew at an average of 7.13cm, there is a big disparity in growth (5.79cm) due
to a difference of just two in pH.

Discussion

Describe & explain trend

In the graph, there is a very slight and gradual increase. Every 0.5 pH the acidity increased
by, the growth increased by around 1.3cm to 1.4cm on average, which answers the
question of how acidity affects growth: As acidity increases, growth decreases. There is a
very small sudden increase in the rate in which acidity affects growth at 6.0 pH, but it does
not have a large impact overall.

Evaluate reliability
This experiment was mostly reliable, with very minor differences in the results. For
example, the most variation between the values of the results can be seen for the sprouts
grown with neutral water. There is a difference of 3.9cm between the bigger and smaller
sprouts of that group. The rest of the results were all good in their reliability and
consistency, with the biggest difference being 0.5cm. 0.5cm is just a 26.3% increase,
whereas 3.9cm is a 78% increase, which is almost 3 times larger. However, with an
experiment of this nature, there are bound to be control variables that are harder to
control, or impossible to control. Although I tried to eliminate seeds that did not sprout
after the rest had germinated, there are many reasons out of control where the Mung Bean
would just have stunted growth even without interference, making it a control variable that
is quite literally impossible to control.

Evaluate validity
The validity of this experiment is moderate to high, as it answers the question and clearly
shows the relationship between acidity and the growth of Mung beans. The experimental
method that was used in this experiment reflects the aim by simulating the growth
environment of the Mung bean well and successfully adding an independent variable to
that environment. The control variables such as the amount of sunlight, brand of soil, and
temperature, were all kept consistent throughout the experiment. The amount of sunlight
received by all the plants were the same, as they were placed next to each other, leaving
little room for disparities between the amounts of light received. The brand of soil was kept
entirely consistent, with the usage of only Scotts Osmocote premium planting soil, from
one bag to avoid differences between separate bags. The temperature was kept constant as
well, although it was not the ideal temperature, the plants were still consistent with each
other. The experiment also contained a control group of mung beans grown in neutral pH
conditions, which was beneficial to ensuring that any observed effects were due to the
acidity levels rather than other factors. Although, a limitation that compromises the validity
was the way that the experiment measured the growth of the plants. An unexpected
phenomenon, not anticipated in the initial hypothesis or background research, caused the
plants to bend which made obtaining accurate measurements difficult. A way to measure
the growth that would have been more beneficial, would be a more multifactorial measure
of growth. For example, leaf count could have been introduced in order to provide another
measure of growth. However, overall the validity was satisfactory and the experiment had
both answered the initial inquiry question and was uniform with the background research.

Discuss limitations and improvements

Limitations Improvements
Vigna Radiata are known to grow best The usage of a plant whose growing
during warmer seasons, in temperatures of conditions reflect the outdoor
28 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius, temperatures. A plant that would suit the
although they can tolerate temperatures as current temperatures (average
low as 8 degrees, but this is not optimal for temperature of around 14 degrees Celsius)
their growth. Higher temperatures lead to would be the pea (Pisum Sativum), which
more and faster growth, which would thrive at temperatures that range from 13
produce results that would be easier to to 18 degrees celsius. Peas and Mung
measure. Vigna Radiata originates from the beans also belong to the same family, the
Indian subcontinent, where temperatures Fabaceae family, also known as the
remain above 20 degrees Celsius even in “legume” or “pea” family.
winter. The temperature of the beans was
kept consistent at 22 degrees Celsius,
which although still allows for growth, does
not display fast growth like it would in a
warmer month.
The usage of Sodium Biphosphate could Usage of a more well-known chemical or
have either had a negative, positive, or no substance could have been used instead of
influence on the growth of the beans. Sodium Biphosphate. Examples could
 There is not enough research done on the include lemon juice, or white vinegar,
effects of Sodium Biphosphate for a which are both common household
completely factual conclusion to be made. substances.
A control variable which could have been To keep all control variables completely
controlled better is the size of the pots consistent, improvements could be made
which the beans were growing in. In the by selecting four pots of the exact same
method, 4 containers of similar size were size and shape to further improve validity
used, instead of 4 identical containers of and to ensure that other factors do not
the same size. This could have caused a affect my results.
small variation in growth between the
plants, due to differences in pot size.
However, the difference would not be
huge, as container size is not known to
cause massive differences within growth
rate.
Incorrect pH readings may also be an issue, A more specific approach to measuring pH
due to the fact that the pH kit that was could be used to eliminate human error.
used in this experiment is meant for fish Even using a pH testing kit with more
tanks. The readings may be inaccurate due specific readings could help, as the
to human error in perceiving the colour of intervals between the readings on the Fish
the pH levels correctly. Tank kit were very large.

Conclusion
This experiment aimed to explore the correlation between the acidity of water and its effect on the
growth of Vigna Radiata (Mung beans). The results have proven the hypothesis and have also
remained consistent with the background research. The increases in growth as the pH increases to
become more neutral clearly support the hypothesis. The difference between the plants given
neutral and acidic water can be seen evidently. The plants that were watered with neutral liquid
were strong, green in colour, had a regular shape, and displayed faster growth. The plants watered
by acids on the contrary, displayed the opposite. They were brown in colour, had little growth, and
grew in twisted bent shapes. In general, the experiment was conducted well, but improvements
could be made. Some improvements include a more specific measure of both pH and growth,
better controlled variables such as the size of the pots in which the plants grew in, the usage of an
acid whose effects are better studied, and altering my method to accommodate for the outside
temperature.

Reference List
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Ryczkowski, A. (2012, May 10). The Best Conditions for Mung Bean Growth. Weekand.
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Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2024, July 22). pH. Encyclopedia Britannica.

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BYJU's. (2022). Acids and Bases - Definition, Examples, Properties, Uses with Videos & FAQs.
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