Week 1: Planting and Setting Up the Wisconsin Fast Plants

Monday, November 7, 2011

Group 3 (Tori, Samantha, Stephanie, Jared, Karafaye) 

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to test the effects that different light regimes have on the phenotype and expression of phytochrome A and B in four different species of Wisconsin Fast Plants. 

Introduction

In order to set up this experiment four types of Wisconsin Fast Plants were obtained: standard, non-purple, purple, and variegated.  Two of each types of these plants were planted in a 2x4 tray. After they were planted and adequately watered, these Wisconsin Fast Plants were placed in a box under a light apparatus provided by Kevin Folta from the University of Florida.  Over the course of one week, stem height, direction of growth, and plant color will be measured on 5 different days between 12:00 - 2:00 PM.  The proposed hypothesis is that the plants growing under the red light will exhibit one of the highest percent growths in comparison to plants growing under blue, green, and far-red light.

Procedural Outline

•  Obtain 2 of each variation of fast-plant (variegated, purple stem, standard, and non-purple stem).
• Obtain plant tray and fill stems about 3/4 with soil and plant each of the plants in its own cell.
• Place the plants in a box and label. Cut a small hole in the top of the box for the light box to rest on.
• Adjust the light apparatus to the desired light treatment, which in this case was red: 9, blue: 1, green: 1, and far-red: 1.
• Record plant growth and phenotypic data every day for the following week (excluding Saturday and Sunday) between the hours of 12:00 - 2:00 pm.

Conclusion

The final measurements and observations of the Wisconsin Fast Plants were recorded on Monday, November 14, 2011.  The results section for week 2 will display data analyzing the obtained results.