4/8 - Conclusions

Hello & Welcome Back!

Hi, I'm Tia, and welcome back to my project on analyzing the effects of wind force on the biomechanical structure of cornflower stems. After finding the gap in current available research, proposing my research, getting approved, starting and completing my research (which you can get more information on from previous blog posts), the month of March was filled with the analysis side of the process, including analyzing my data and finding conclusions.

Figure 7.1: Example of Measuring Plant. In this image, the plant’s stem height would be measured as 1.2cm, as at the 1.2cm mark, the leaves begin to form. Image adapted from the researcher of this study (January 19, 2022).

Figure 7.2: Example of Measuring Number of Leaves. Plant 3-13 would be measured as having 11 leaves, as the non-true leaves (the pair at the bottom) are not considered in the measurements. Image adapted from the researcher of this study (February 14, 2022).

2/14 to 2/22 | Data Collection

To give a quick recap, during the month of February, I collected my data from my cornflowers. I measured the height of each plant (Fig 7.1), and once the plant had a pair of true leaves, I measured the amount of leaves it had as well (Fig 7.2). Both pieces of data were collected along with each identification number for each plant. All data was recorded on the data spreadsheet (Fig 7.3).

Data

Figure 7.3: The data I collected as well as when the fan was applied to each plant was recorded.

Table 1: Average Stem Height of Cornflowers after 35 Days. Adapted from the researcher of this study.

Figure 7.4: Frequency of Wind Force v. Average Stem Height. The average stem height was calculated from the height of the plants that survived and reached maturity in each experimental group. Pearson’s r = -0.967.

2/28 to 3/4 | Analyzing Stem Height

Raw data on the stem heights of the cornflowers on day 35 was used to calculate the average height and standard deviation in the control and experimental groups (Table 1). The average stem height values were used to create a scatterplot comparing frequency of wind force and average stem height (Fig 7.4).

As shown by Figure 7.4, the correlation value of -0.967 shows that there is a strong, negative, linear relationship between the frequency of wind force and the average stem height, and since random assignment was applied and confounding variables were accounted for, causation can be applied. So, this data, and the least-squares regression line equation, shows that as the frequency of wind force increased, the stem height of the cornflowers decreased about 1.27cm, on average.

3/7 to 3/11 | Analyzing Number of Leaves

Raw data on the number of true leaves on the cornflowers on day 35 was used to calculate the average number of leaves and standard deviation in the control and experimental groups (Table 2). The averaged values were used to create a scatterplot comparing frequency of wind force and average number of leaves in each group on day 35 (Fig 7.5).

As shown by Figure 7.5, the correlation value of -0.997 shows that there is a strong, negative, linear relationship between the frequency of wind force and the average number of leaves present on the cornflowers once flowering maturity is reached, and since random assignment was applied and confounding variables were accounted for, causation can be applied. So, this data, and the least-squares regression line equation, shows that as the frequency of wind force increased, the number of leaves on the cornflowers decreased by about 1.12, on average.

Table 2: Average Stem Height of Cornflowers after 35 Days. Adapted from the researcher of this study.

Figure 7.5: Frequency of Wind Force v. Average Number of Leaves. The average stem height was calculated from the height of the plants that survived and reached maturity in each experimental group. Pearson’s r = -0.997.

Conclusions

Null = rejected
As frequency of wind force increases, the average height and number of leaves of cornflowers will decrease

Limitations

Cornflowers are not a food crop
- Experiment must be repeated on crop to determine reliability of results
An experimental group that would have applied the wind force seven days per week was not utilized
- Unknown whether the linear pattern continues

Future Studies

More research must be done by using the same methodology but different plants
Applying this scientific knowledge to the industry level will be the final step

Project Goal: Strengthening crops and decreasing potential crop death that may be caused due to increased wind speeds from climate change.

Stay Tuned for the Presentation & Reflection Process!

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