DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

     

Discussion/Conclusions

         In this study we demonstrated the effects of different wavelengths of light on the total growth, growth directionality, and phytochrome levels produced in four variants of B. rapa (purple hairy, non-purple hairy, variegated, and standard). Two plants of each variant was grown for 6 days and measured and observed for the differences in growth under different wavelengths of light. Using this model, it was chosen to compare the difference in the effects of far red light compared to the control of white light. Comparisons were made with the overall growth, as well as a valiant effort to compare the levels of phytochromes that were produced from the four different variants under far red light and controlled white light. In the results, it is demonstrated that far red light does not produce any statistical difference in the stem height (Figure 2). It was also demonstrated that there was not statistical difference in the leaf area between the four variants (Figure 3). This generally agrees with previous work showing that under intense far red light plants will increase their growth. It is thought that this increase in growth is due to the fact that when plants are under intense far red light they believe they under shaded conditions, which they try to overcome by increasing stem length and leaf area (Lincoln 123-124).

            The comparison between the effects of LED white light in a light box and fluorescent white light in a greenhouse on the growth on plants stem length and leaf area is a true depiction of what was expected to occur. Upon growth in both locations there was no statistical difference in the growth on the four variant plants (Figure 1). Upon the determination that the two forms of white light were in fact the same and there was no statistical difference between them, it allowed for the two forms to be averaged and used as one form. This was consistent with the expectations since there should be no difference in the wavelengths of white light that is being used.

            The findings of the far red light compared to the control data showed that there was no statistical difference between the stem length growth or the leaf area of the four variants on day three, which was considered the max growth day (Figure 1). Since there was no statistical difference in the growth between the light it can be concluded that far red light and white light do not have any difference on the growth of B. rapa. This in inconsistent with the overall idea of the study, a possible reason for the error could be the conditions. Since the different conditions at which plants were grown under were measured by different individuals, and not every plant was measured everyday it could have led to inconsistencies in the data collection. 

            The level of phytochromes produced from both the far red variants, as well as the control variants was undeterminable, and inconclusive. The visual representation of the Western blot, which would have allowed for the determination of the levels was unable to be read, and it was determined that there was data present (Figure, 6). Given the conditions under which the study was conducted, a possible reason for the error could have been improper wash with BLOTTO during the Western blot. If the BLOTTO did not fully wash or was not properly constructed it could have led to binding of the primary and secondary antibody in places other than where the protein was located on the blot. With the extraneous binding of the antibodies it could have led to a vague reading of the Western blot. 

            In conclusion, the findings also demonstrate that there is no statistical difference in the LED white light of a light box or the fluorescence white light of a greenhouse.  The findings of this study demonstrated that far red light has no statistical difference on the growth of stem length or leaf area on the four variants that were studied. If this experiment were to be repeated, validity would be ensured by running the Western blot under conditions in which clear results could be procured. The study would also have to ensure better accuracy on the measuring process of the plants, to ensure the precision of the data collection. 

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.