
Wind and Plant Health
Easy
Does wind help a plant grow stronger or hold it back? Plants need sunlight and water. But wind may also play a role that most people overlook.
You place two identical potted plants side by side. One gets a fan blowing on low for three hours each day. The other gets no wind at all. Both receive the same light and water for three to four weeks.
At the end, measure their heights and compare their appearance. The difference may surprise you.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that wind will affect the growth of plants.
Method & Materials
You will place two plants in the same environment and measure their height. Then, you will place a fan so it faces one of the plants and let it run for three hours a day for three to four weeks. Finally, you will measure the plants again and compare the results.
You will need two small to medium-sized potted plants of the same species, a camera, a ruler, and an electric fan (optional).
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See what’s includedResults
After the experiment, the results showed that the plant exposed to wind had a greater rate of growth than the plant not exposed to wind. The most interesting observation was that the wind-exposed plant had a much stronger stem than the other plant.
Why do this project?
This science project is interesting because it shows how plants can adapt to their environment and how wind can have a positive effect on plant growth.
Also Consider
Variations of this experiment could include testing different species of plants or testing the effects of wind on seed germination.
Full project details
Additional information and source material for this project are available below.Related video
These videos explain the science behind this project and demonstrate key concepts used in the experiment.
Learn from an agronomist about the intricate ways in which wind impacts plant growth, from its role in transferring gases and moisture to and from the plant.
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