Research on the effects of varying Zn2+ solution concentrations on the growth rate of terrestrial plant Cicer arietinum L. (Chickpea) measured in terms of length

Pollution is a big problem in today’s world. Zinc deposition in nature can cause toxic effect for living organisms and human activity is big source of zinc output. This experiment focused on effects zinc deposition and dealt with the research question, “How is the growth (irreversible change in size) of Cicer arietinum L. (Chickpea) in terms of height (cm) effected by different concentrations of Zn2+ solutions mixed different groups while the soil quality, pH, temperature and pressure is tried to be constant for all groups?” Would zinc increase of decrease plant growth? How would it affect photosynthesis? Scope of this experiment is limited to terrestrial plants and the effects of zinc given in zinc sulfate form. Results may not be valid for aquatic plants and zinc given in different forms and mixed with other materials. The plant used in this experiment was Cicer arietinum L. (Chickpea). 10 mL of solutions having different concentrations of zinc were added once two days to plant samples and stem lengths were recorded daily. Five groups were tested, they were watered, 0g /10 mL, 0.25 g /10 mL, 0.50 g /10 mL, 0.75 g /10 mL and 1.00 g /10 mL for groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. The samples were observed for 20 days and their growths were measured. The results showed that there was a clear decline in growth as the zinc concentrations increased. There was significant growth difference present between the groups. The results of this experiment supported my hypothesis that stated there would be significant growth difference caused by zinc deposition and lead to the conclusion that high quantities of zinc has a toxic effect and had a negative effect on plant growth