Microwave Radiation Effects on Angiosperm Growth Johnny Daigle Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School Grade 9 PJAS 2008

Angiosperms Most diverse type of plant Source of food and pharmaceuticals Humans have long experimented with attempts to improve/increase their growth

Radish Sparkler White Tip Radishes are a type of angiosperm that are also a part of the Brassicacae family Radishes are edible root vegetables Brassicaceae are an allocation of plants in the mustard family Radishes can be used as a part of a homeopathic treatment for many ailments such as cancer, liver problems, and stomach aches

Spinach Mustard Tendergreen Spinach mustard is a type of angiosperm, also a member of the Brassicaceae family These plants are important agricultural and horticultural crops Spinach Mustard has many nutrients with suspected powerful anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-cancer activities

Microwave Ovens Microwave ovens produce electromagnetic radiation of the precise wavelength that excites water molecules This agitation of water molecules makes friction causing the water to heat up Because most foods have a fair amount of water in them, when microwaves heat up the water in the food, the food heats up Microwave radiation does not penetrate very deep into food Microwave radiation can have adverse effects on life, depending on power and duration of exposure

Past Studies A NASA scientist found that future solar- power systems designed to harvest sunlight, convert solar energy into weak microwaves and beam them down to earth to make electricity, are not harmful to green plants.

Purpose To discover how microwave radiation effects the growth of two specific species of angiosperms, radish and spinach mustard.

Hypotheses Null hypothesis – The plants that are exposed to microwave radiation will not significantly vary in growth from plants not exposed to microwave radiation Alternative hypothesis – The plants that are exposed to microwave radiation will differ in growth from those not exposed to microwave radiation

Materials Spinach mustard Tendergreen seeds Radish Sparkler White Tip seeds Plastic wrap Water squirt bottle grow rack Three grow lights Three cookie sheets Potting mix Three planting containers with 32 planting cups in each Boxes Microwave oven Electronic scale Oven

Procedure 1. Potting mix was added to the same height in each planting cup 2. 3 radish seeds were planted in half of the cups and 3 spinach mustard seeds into the other half (108 total cups) 3. The soil was watered with the water squirt bottle 4. All cups were sealed with plastic wrap to achieve green house effect 5. Placed blocks on each grow rack under the grow light to achieve the recommended grow light illumination 6. Placed planting containers on top of the blocks so that the soil was approximately 30 centimeters from the grow light 7. When plants grew to the plastic wrap, the plastic wrap was removed and they were watered

Procedure (continued) 8. As the plants grew, took off necessary blocks so the plants were always about 30 centimeters from the grow light 9. When the plants grew their first two leaves, the cups were taken out 10. On the same day, 12 of the radish cups were microwaved (50% power setting) for 2 seconds, 12 for 4 seconds, and 12 for 6 seconds, there were also 12 radish cups not microwaved that served as a control. The same was done for spinach mustard 11. After 28 total days, the plants were removed from the soil and allowed to dry for 2 days at room temperature. 12. The dry mass of each plant was quantified using an electronic scale (sensitivity of grams)

P = 6.06E-08 P <.01

P = 4.61E-05 P <.01

Conclusions The statistical analysis supports the REJECTION of the null hypothesis, indicating that microwave radiation can affect plant growth

Limitations / Extensions The plants did not grow to their full potential because they might not have received enough water Seeds could have been more effectively randomized in their assignment to groups Other growth/health parameters (shoot height, number of leaves, root mass, or germination frequency) could be analyzed Microwave radiation effects on microbes, other plants, algae, fungi, animals, and human cell cultures could be tested

References / Acknowledgements 1.Dr. John Wilson, University of Pittsburgh Biostatistician for his advice concerning statistical analysis ml