Marigold Lab Report

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II. Material and Methods For the present experiment, I went to Lowes. I bought sixteen African marigold (Tegetes erecta) plants, two bags of timberline top soil, one bag of eco-scraps all-purpose plant food fertilizer: ratio N5%- P5%-K5%, one bag of 100% organic blood meal of fast acting nitrogen source and two black plastic window box or pot (35.75 x 6.6 in). In addition, I used a drill, 12 in ruler, Vernier probe (soil moisture sensor, and light sensor), rapitest digital soil, and LaMotte soil N-P-K test kit. I started by drilling the bottom of both plastic window pot in order to let the water drain. I filled both pot halfway with top soil. Then, I planted eight African marigold in one pot and the other eight in the other pot. I proceeded…show more content…
I used a clean trowel, and dull knife to loosen the soil. I collected the soil from the desired depth. I collected several small samples from a single place and I mixed them together to get an "average" sample. I collected a total of about 1 cup of soil. I spread the soil sample out on a sheet of plastic wrap. I allowed it to dry overnight. I picked out any large leaves, stones or sticks and crush any lumps. The preparation of the extraction was conducted as follow; I filled the round extraction tube to the 5mL line with distilled water. I added two *Floc-Ex Tablets .I Cap the tube and mix until the tablets have disintegrated. I removed the cap. I added one heaping teaspoon of soil. I cap the tube and shake for one minute. I let the tube stand until the soil settles out. The clear solution above the soil was used for the Nitrate, Phosphorus, and Potassium…show more content…
Then, I filled the tube to the shoulder with distilled water. I added one phosphorus tablet. I capped the tube and I mixed until the tablet disintegrates. I wait 5 minutes for the color to develop. Then I compared the blue color of the solution to the phosphorus color chart: L = 8 lbA/6" soil, M = 20 lb A/6" soil, and H = 64 lb A/6" soil. For the potassium I used the pipet to transfer 25 drops of the clear solution above the soil to a square test tube. Then, I filled the tube to the shoulder with distilled water. I added one potassium tablet. I capped the tube and I mixed until the tablet disintegrates. I wait 5 minutes for the color to develop. Then I compared the blue color of the solution to the potassium color chart: L = 40 lbA/6" soil, M = 80 lb A/6" soil, and H = 160 lb A/6" soil. For the nitrogen I used the pipet to transfer 25 drops of the clear solution above the soil to a square test tube. Then, I filled the tube to the shoulder with distilled water. I added one nitrate tablet. I capped the tube and I mixed until the tablet disintegrates. I wait 5 minutes for the color to develop. Then I compared the blue color of the solution to the nitrogen color chart: L = 40 lbA/6" soil, M = 160 lb A/6" soil, and H = 320 lb A/6"

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