CALIFORNIA STATE SCIENCE FAIR
2010 PROJECT SUMMARY
Name(s) Project Number
Mark A. Amash
S2001
Project Title
Can Cotton Replace Soil for Plant Growth?
Abstract
Objectives/Goals
Would plants be able to grow if their primary nutrient source, soil, is replaced with cotton? If so, would
cotton be better or worse for the plant?
Methods/Materials
For my materials, I used soil, cotton, lentil beans, black beans, garbanzo beans, red kidney beans, pinto
beans, water, 5 pots, 5 saucer plates, and a metric ruler. I first went to purchase my supplies. Next, I
labeled all the pots and saucer pans. I planted six seeds of each plant in five different labeled pots
according to the label. I planted six seeds of each plant in the cotton as well (for each of the five plants in
the appropriate saucer pans). After i finished planting them, I watered each of the 10 total plants and each
day I would measure their height (cm), the number of plants that grew, and the number of leaves that
sprouted.
Results
Each plant that was grown in cotton had delayed growth and productivity. The plants in soil showed
normal, healthy plant growth. The lentils in the cotton were the only plants that were growing as normaly
as though they were grown in normal potting soil. However, all the other four plants grown in cotton were
shorter, had less leaves, and less plants sprouted over the same period of time. As the plants grew taller,
the beans in the cotton began to fall to the ground earlier than the five corresponding plants in the soil.
Conclusions/Discussion
Cotton retains some similar properties as soil does. Even though soil is better, I can conclude that cotton
has the ability to support plant life. Each plant in the cotton grew, the growth and production was just
delayed. Cotton has cellulose, water, phosphorous, calcium, and other proteins and organic matter that is
required for plant growth. For this reason, plants were able to survive in the cotton environment. Based on
the data, the taller the plants grew, the more they fell to the ground in the cotton. The fact behind this is
that cotton is less dense than soil so soil has the strength to hold up a plant.
Summary Statement
I tested to see whether plants will be able to survive and grow successfully if they are grown in cotton
rather than in soil.
Help Received
Mother helped take pictures of me doing the project.
Ap2/10