PASCO Greenhouse Tomatoe Experiment
Just last week we (Sam and Emma-Grace, interns here at AYVA) planted tomato seeds! Both of us study Environmental Science, so we chose to write our co-op report on the growth of these tomato plants. AYVA is a proud partner with PASCO and is well set up with the right equipment to make conducting this growth experiment a breeze.
Two PASCO Sense and Control Greenhouse kits are being used to examine the effects of saline water on tomato plant health. With rising concerns about freshwater availability, we felt this study was especially applicable. Given the world’s growing population, there’s an increasing emphasis on researching creative ways to grow food to feed everyone.
One greenhouse is being watered with saline water and the other greenhouse with filtered tap water. Over the next two months, we will track the health of our tomato plants by testing various measurements including:
- CO2 using PASCO’s Wireless CO2 Sensor
- The conductivity of soil using PASCO’s Wireless Conductivity Sensor
- Soil pH using PASCO’s Wireless pH Sensor
- Leaf size
- Number of leaves
- Plant height
- Colour of leaves using PASCO’s
To create consistent conditions, we have determined an optimal light schedule with an ideal light ratio of 7:3 (Red:Blue) which we coded using SPARKvue.This consistency will reduce experimental bias. We’ve also reduced bias through blind watering. This means we do not know which spray bottle has the salt water treatment and which has the fresh water treatment. When our experiment is completed, Rhonda will reveal which group of tomato plants was under which treatment.
We’re excited to explore how CO2 levels are influenced by the addition of saline water. Elevated CO2 enhances photosynthesis, boosting sugar and nutrient production while also improving water use efficiency. By examining the combined effects of CO2 and salt, we aim to gain a more in-depth understanding of the effects of saline water on tomato plants.
We are brainstorming names for our future sprouts. If you have any name suggestions, let us know!