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Zainab Ahmed
Mrs. Alyson Thompson
IB Biology 3B
4 June 2015
Factors Affecting Cucumber Plant Growth: Sugar (Sucrose) Concentration
Background Information:
My parents have remained avid gardeners all throughout their lives. This was probably a
results of the inability of having something as luxurious as gardening in the lands of their home
country, Pakistan, due to the infertility of the land. They planted many plants in our home
garden, but wanted to try out a new plant they hadnt tried before: the cucumber plant. I wanted
to help them in their gardening by helping their plants grow faster.
The normal plant goes through many processes, but the most prominent one would be the
process of photosynthesis, since this is what feeds that plant and allows it to grow from a seed to
a sprout to a stem (1). After the light independent reactions is the light dependent reactions, or
the Calvin cycle (1). This is the part of photosynthesis that controls how much of the sugars
made are used to aid the growth of the plant (1). The decided amount of sugars put into the
process of growth of the plant are then converted to starch and are then used for that very
purpose (1). It is used as energy or can also be used to aid the hormone auxin, that initiates plant
growth (2). This hormone is what controls cell division and cell enlargement and therefore plays
a very large part in plant growth (2). And since this hormone utilizes the sugars turned into starch
for plant growth, the research question was developed: How does the sugar (sucrose)
concentration in water affect the growth of cucumber plants?
Knowing that plants use photosynthesis to create sugars from sunlight and water to feed
the plant and help it function properly, adding more sugar would probably help the plant grow
and function as well. The following hypothesis was then written out: If sucrose is added in
different concentration in water, the resulting sugar solution would help the cucumber plant
grow because adding sugar to the cucumber plant will allow the plant to use the excess sugars to
increase the amount of starch within the plant allowing the auxin to use more of the sugar for
further plant growth.

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This experiment was designed to test multiple sugar concentrations in water used to water
the cucumber plants and to easily discern which concentration of sugar was optimal for quickest
and safest plant growth. This was done by watering plants with specific amount of sugar solution
and measuring the plants heights everyday for five days. That is why accuracy and the need for
proper qualitative data is stressed . There were five concentrations being tested, and five trials for
every concentration group, so there were 25 plants used.
Research Question:
How does sugar (sucrose) concentration in water affect the growth of cucumber plants?
Hypothesis:
If sucrose is added in different concentrations in water, the resulting sugar solution would
help the cucumber plant grow because adding sugar to the cucumber plant will allow the plant to
use the excess sugars to increase the amount of starch within the plant allowing auxin to use
more of the sugar for further plant growth.
Independent Variable:
Concentration of sugar in sugar solution:
0 % (0 g)
0.5 % (0.5 g)
1.0 % (1.0 g)
1.5 % (1.5 g)
2.0 % (2.0 g)
This was the chosen ranges of sugar concentrations to be used in the sugar
solution because of its small intervals, and therefore would be easier to identify what the
optimum concentration of of sugar in the sugar solution would be.
Dependent Variable:
Rate of reaction of Plant Growth
Average Plant Growth (cm)

= Rate of Reaction of Plant Growth

Days of Experimentation
Amount of plant growth
The amount of plant growth is the dependent variable because it depends on the
amount of water it is getting and the amount of sugar it is turning into starch for plant growth.
Control:

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Amount of water in sugar solution:
100 mL
This was the decided amount of water because it was the ideal amount that
would not only drain quickly, but would also remain in the plant long enough for the sugar to
attach into the soil.
Constant Variable:
Light
Light was a constant variable because all the plant would be put in
the exact same location where they would receive equal amounts of sunlight.
Soil
Soil was a constant because the same amount of gardening soil was
put into all the cups that held the plants.
Water
Water was a constant because the amount of water being put into all
of the cups that held the plants was the same.
Time
Data was usually collected every 22-24 hours every day for five
days. This was the amount of time chosen because of fear that the plants
would begin to smell really quickly, and was the easiest to get them out of
the enclosed area.
Materials:
-

8 oz. Styrofoam cup (x25)

Foil Tray (Big enough to hold all the cups) (x1)
Gardening Soil
Stirring Rod (x1)
Gram scale (x1)
Cucumber plants (Already growing) (x25)
Yellow scoop (x10)
Dominos sugar (sucrose) (x1 bag)
12 ruler (x1)
Beaker (x5)
Water
Permanent marker (x1)

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Procedure:
For Day #1
1. Five cucumber plants were separated from the group of 25 plants. Using the
permanent marker, these five plants were labeled the Constant Group #1- 0% along
with their trial number written next to it.
2. A ruler was taken to measure the starting height of each of the plants. The ruler
was placed exactly on the tip of the soil, and the height of the plant was measured in
centimeters. These heights were then recorded under the category Day 1, along with any
observations about the plant.
3. The five beakers were put out and each was filled with 100 mL of water, one for
each plant. One by one, each plant was watered with 100 mL of water, very slowly. To
ensure the water did not drown the plant, a pre-made hole in the bottom of the foam cup
had been made. When the water did not drain fast enough, the hole was probed with the
stirring rod, for quicker drainage.
4. Once the plants for that group were watered, they were placed into the table sink
so the water would be fully drained before they were placed back into the foil tray.
5. Five cucumber plants were separated from the remaining group of 20 plants.
Using the permanent marker, these five plants were labeled the Group #2- 0.5% along
with their trial number written next to it.
6. A ruler was taken to measure the starting height of each of the plants. The ruler
was placed exactly on the tip of the soil, and the height of the plant was measured in
centimeters. These heights were then recorded under the category of Day 1, along with
any observations about the plant.
7. The five beakers were filled with 100 mL of water, one for each plant.
8. Then, 0.5 g of sugar (sucrose) was measured out of the bag of sugar using the
yellow spoon. This amount of sugar was measured out to put in each of the beakers of
100 mL of water to create the sugar solution that this group of plants were to be watered
with. The sugar was mixed using the stirring rod into the 100 mLs of water.
9. One by one, each plant was watered with 100 mL of sugar solution, very slowly.
To ensure the water did not drown the plant, a pre-made hole in the bottom of the foam
cup had been made. When the water did not drain fast enough, the hole was probed with
the stirring rod, for quicker drainage.
10. Once the plants for that group were watered, the previous plants from the
Constant Group 1 were moved back into the foil tray. Then the plants from Group #2

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were placed into the table sink so the water would be fully drained before they were
placed back into the foil tray as well.
11. Five cucumber plants were separated from the remaining group of 15 plants.
Using the permanent marker, these five plants were labeled the Group #3- 1.0% along
with their trial number written next to it.
12. A ruler was taken to measure the starting height of each of the plants. The ruler
was placed exactly on the tip of the soil, and the height of the plant was measured in
centimeters. These heights were then recorded under the category of Day 1, along with
any observations about the plant.
13. The five beakers were filled with 100 mL of water, one for each plant.
14. Then, 1.0 g of sugar (sucrose) was measured out of the bag of sugar using the
yellow spoon. This amount of sugar was measured out to put in each of the beakers of
100 mL of water to create the sugar solution that this group of plants were to be watered
with. The sugar was mixed using the stirring rod into the 100 mLs of water.
15. One by one, each plant was watered with 100 mL of sugar solution, very slowly.
To ensure the water did not drown the plant, a pre-made hole in the bottom of the foam
cup had been made. When the water did not drain fast enough, the hole was probed with
the stirring rod, for quicker drainage.
16. Once the plants for that group were watered, the previous plants from Group #2
were moved back into the foil tray. Then the plants from Group #3 were placed into the
table sink so the water would be fully drained before they were placed back into the foil
tray as well.
17. Five cucumber plants were separated from the remaining group of 10 plants.
Using the permanent marker, these five plants were labeled the Group #4- 1.5% along
with their trial number written next to it.
18. A ruler was taken to measure the starting height of each of the plants. The ruler
was placed exactly on the tip of the soil, and the height of the plant was measured in
centimeters. These heights were then recorded under the category of Day 1, along with
any observations about the plant.
19. The five beakers were filled with 100 mL of water, one for each plant.
20. Then, 1.5 g of sugar (sucrose) was measured out of the bag of sugar using the
yellow spoon. This amount of sugar was measured out to put in each of the beakers of
100 mL of water to create the sugar solution that this group of plants were to be watered
with. The sugar was mixed using the stirring rod into the 100 mLs of water.

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21. One by one, each plant was watered with 100 mL of sugar solution, very slowly.
To ensure the water did not drown the plant, a pre-made hole in the bottom of the foam
cup had been made. When the water did not drain fast enough, the hole was probed with
the stirring rod, for quicker drainage.
22. Once the plants for that group were watered, the previous plants from Group #3
were moved back into the foil tray. Then the plants from Group #4 were placed into the
table sink so the water would be fully drained before they were placed back into the foil
tray as well.
23. Five cucumber plants were separated from the remaining group of 10 plants.
Using the permanent marker, these five plants were labeled the Group #5- 2.0% along
with their trial number written next to it.
24. A ruler was taken to measure the starting height of each of the plants. The ruler
was placed exactly on the tip of the soil, and the height of the plant was measured in
centimeters. These heights were then recorded under the category of Day 1, along with
any observations about the plant.
25. The five beakers were filled with 100 mL of water, one for each plant.
26. Then, 2.0 g of sugar (sucrose) was measured out of the bag of sugar using the
yellow spoon. This amount of sugar was measured out to put in each of the beakers of
100 mL of water to create the sugar solution that this group of plants were to be watered
with. The sugar was mixed using the stirring rod into the 100 mLs of water.
27. One by one, each plant was watered with 100 mL of sugar solution, very slowly.
To ensure the water did not drown the plant, a pre-made hole in the bottom of the foam
cup had been made. When the water did not drain fast enough, the hole was probed with
the stirring rod, for quicker drainage.
28. Once the plants for that group were watered, the previous plants from Group #4
were moved back into the foil tray. Then the plants from Group #5 were placed into the
table sink so the water would be fully drained before they were placed back into the foil
tray as well.
For Days #2-#5
1. Steps 1-28 were repeated each day. For everyday, the different data results were
recorded instead of under the category for Day 1, the category for whatever day of
experiment it was. (ie: Under Day 2 on day 2, and so on and so forth until day 5)

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Data:
Raw Data:
Table One: In this table, the heights of all the plants in the groups were recorded on Day One of
the experiment, in centimeters.
Group #

Results of Trial Cup # (0%,0.5%,1%,1.5%2%) (+ 0.1 cm)

1
3.7

4.3

2.6

1
3.5

3.9

4.1

3.0

2.5

2.5
3

2.5

2
4.5

3.0

2
3.2

4
2.3

3
3.7

5.0

3.4

4.2

Observations

2.5

3.0

3.0

4.2

3.3

1
3.0

3.0

In all cases, one plant was always planted in the middle.

In some cases two seeds or more had been unknowingly planted, and
then only the taller plant was used to collect data.

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Table Two: In this table, the heights of all the plants in the groups were recorded on Day Two of
the experiment, in centimeters. Uncertainty was found by taking the smallest increment on the
ruler and dividing it by two.
Group #

Results of Trial Cup # (0%,0.5%,1%,1.5%2%) (+ 0.1 cm)

1
3.5

3.8

3.4

3.7

4.0

4.8

3.5
3

4.5

3.5

4.0

4
3.0

2
4.2

3.3
3

4.1

6.3

3
3.9

1
4.6

Observations

5.5
2

4.7

3.2

3.2

3.8

3.5
3

3.1

4.6

In all cases, one plant was always planted in the middle.

In some cases two seeds or more had been unknowingly planted, and
then only the taller plant was used to collect data.
In some cases, the plant may have been slightly bent over. To measure
the height of these plants, they were held straight to ensure a proper
measurement.

Table Three: In this table, the heights of all the plants in the groups were recorded on Day Three
of the experiment, in centimeters. Uncertainty was found by taking the smallest increment on the
ruler and dividing it by two.
Group #
1

Results of Trial Cup # (0%,0.5%,1%,1.5%2%) (+ 0.1 cm)

1

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3.4
2

3.3

5.2

3.7

5.0

4.7

3.7

3.5

5.5

3.5

2
4.0

4
3.5

3.5

4.3

Observations

5.9
2

7.3
3

3.6

4.8

3.6

4.1
3

4.4

2.7
3

4.7

3.1

4.5

In all cases, one plant was always planted in the middle.

In some cases two seeds or more had been unknowingly planted, and
then only the taller plant was used to collect data.
In some cases, the plant may have been slightly bent over. To measure
the height of these plants, they were held straight to ensure a proper
measurement.
The leaves of the plants in Group #3 are drying out, and most of the
plants look like they are dying.
The plants in Group #5 are slightly limp.

Table Four: In this table, the heights of all the plants in the groups were recorded on Day Four of
the experiment, in centimeters. Uncertainty was found by taking the smallest increment on the
ruler and dividing it by two.
Group #

Results of Trial Cup # (0%,0.5%,1%,1.5%2%) (+ 0.1 cm)

1
3.6

2
3.9

1
4.2

5.0

3
4.5

2
3.8

4
7.9

3
7.6

5.3

4
4.5

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3

5.0
4

3.6

5.1

3.7

4.4

3.2

2
4.0

2.6
3

3.5

3.6

5.0
Observations

4.0

1
4.0

3.6

4.4

In all cases, one plant was always planted in the middle.

In some cases two seeds or more had been unknowingly planted, and
then only the taller plant was used to collect data.
In some cases, the plant may have been slightly bent over. To measure
the height of these plants, they were held straight to ensure a proper
measurement.
Plants in Group #1 & 2 are strong.
The leaves of the plants in Group #3 are drying out, and the plants look
like they are dying.
The plants in Group #4 dying and limp. They are also releasing a very
foul odor.
The plants in Group #5 are slightly limp and dying. They are also
releasing a very foul odor.

Table Five: In this table, the heights of all the plants in the groups were recorded on Day Five of
the experiment, in centimeters. Uncertainty was found by taking the smallest increment on the
ruler and dividing it by two.
Group #

Results of Trial Cup # (0%,0.5%,1%,1.5%2%) (+ 0.1 cm)

1
4.2

5.0

3
4.7

2
8.3

4.7
3

4.5

8.0

5.5

2
3.9

4.1

1
4.8

4.1

1
4.3

5.1

3.7
3

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4.7
5

3.6

1
5.1

Observations

4.3

3.3

2
3.6

2.5
3

4.4

3.4

4.5

In all cases, one plant was always planted in the middle.

In some cases two seeds or more had been unknowingly planted, and
then only the taller plant was used to collect data.
In some cases, the plant may have been slightly bent over. To measure
the height of these plants, they were held straight to ensure a proper
measurement.
Plants in Group #1 & 2 are strong. Group #2 plants are taller than those
in Group #1.
The leaves of the plants in Group #3 are drying out, and the plants look
like they are dying.
The plants in Group #4 dying and limp. They are also releasing a very
foul odor.
The plants in Group #5 are slightly limp and dying. They are also
releasing a very foul odor.

Processed Data:
Table One: In this table, the average growth of the plants in a day was calculated in
centimeters. Uncertainty was found by taking the smallest increment on the ruler and dividing it
by two.
Day #

Average Growth of Plants in That Day (+ 0.1 cm)

Day 1
Group 1
0.0%

0.00

Group 2
0.5%

0.00

Group 3
1.0%

0.00

Group 4
1.5%

0.00

Group 5
2.0%

0.00

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Day 2
Group 1
0.0%

0.68

Group 2
0.5%

0.60

Group 3
1.0%

0.42

Group 4
1.5%

0.62

Group 5
2.0%

0.96

Group 1
0.0%

0.38

Group 2
0.5%

0.66

Group 3
1.0%

0.26

Group 4
1.5%

0.12

Group 5
2.0%

0.18

Group 1
0.0%

0.50

Group 2
0.5%

0.62

Group 3
1.0%

0.10

Group 4
1.5%

0.00

Group 5

0.00

Day 3

Day 4

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2.0%
Day 5
Group 1
0.0%

0.24

Group 2
0.5%

0.30

Group 3
1.0%

0.14

Group 4
1.5%

0.24

Group 5
2.0%

0.00

Sample Calculations
Average Growth of Plant in a Day: Group 1 0.0%
(Growth in Trial 1+Growth in Trial 2+Growth in Trial 3+Growth in Trial
5+Growth in Trial 5) / 5 = Average Growth of Plants in a Day
(0.1 cm+0.5 cm+0.8 cm+0.7 cm+1.3 cm)/5= 0.68 cm

Graph One: The average plant growth over the five days was graphed to show how the plant
grew.

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Table Two: In this table, the overall plant growth from the initial height of the plant was
calculated for every trial of every graph. Then using this information, the average plant growth
for each plant was calculated. Finally, using the resulting information, the rate of reaction for the
plant growth was also calculated.

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Group #
Constant Group #1
(0%)

Group #2
(0.5%)

Group #3
(1.0%)

Group #4
(1.5%)

Group #5
(2.0%)

Overall growth of
plants (+ 0.1 cm)
0.5
0.8
2.0
2.2
3.0
1.3
1.1
4.0
2.1
2.4
0.6
1.3
0.8
1.2
0.7
0.5
0.4
0.2
0.3
0.0
1.4
-1.3
0.0
0.0
1.2

Average Plant
Growth (+ 0.1 cm)

Rate of Reaction
(cm/days)

1.70

0.34

2.18

0.44

0.92

0.18

0.28

0.06

0.26

0.05

Sample Calculations:
1. Overall Growth of Plants Group 1: Trial 1
Height of Plant on Day 1 - Height of Plant on Day 5 = Overall Growth
3.7 cm - 4.2 cm = 0.5 cm growth
2. Average Growth of Plants Group 1
(Overall Growth Trial 1+Overall Growth Trial 2+Overall Growth Trial 3+Overall Growth
Trial 4+Overall Growth Trial 5) / 5 = Average Growth of Plants
(0.5+0.8+2.0+2.2+3.0)/ 5= 1.70 cm Average Growth of Plants
3. Rate of Reaction Group 1
(Average Growth of Plant/ Length of Experiment) = Rate of Reaction
1.70/ 5 = 0.34
Graph Two: The rate of reaction versus the percent concentration of the sugar in the sugar
solution was graphed to show how as the concentration increased, the rate of reaction decreased.

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Conclusion:
The data gathered from this experiment about the effect of sugar concentration on plant
growth does support the hypothesis and also provides us with more information not realized in
the hypothesis. The research question inquired as to how the sugar (sucrose) concentration in
water affect the growth of a cucumber plant. The hypothesis states that resulting sugar solution
would help the plant grow because it would give the plant excess sugar to use towards producing
the hormone auxin that initiates plant growth. It was found in the experiment that the sugar
concentration did indeed help the plant grow, however, after a specific concentration, the plant
started to grow a fungus that began to devour the plant, resulting in negative growth. It was

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found that the safest concentration for the plant to grow more without growing the fungus was
0.5% sugar in the 100 mL of water.
In this case, the process of photosynthesis was being tested. The amount of sugar added
into the water being used to water the plant was to help the plant grow at a quicker rate. In
photosynthesis, it is the light independent reactions, or Calvin Cycle, that is responsible for using
the extra triose phosphate to synthesize organic molecules, like glucose. So, by providing the
plant with more sugars, it is able to use the excess sugars in creating auxin. This hormone is able
to influence not only cell division, but also cell enlargement, which affects the plants growth. It
is important because it also affects the direction in which the plant grows, which is usually
towards the source of light. Auxin is not produced in all cells and has to be moved to where it is
needed, usually to the roots where is uses the nutrients and directs plant growth. It is very
necessary in plant growth, along with the whole process of photosynthesis. Therefore, increasing
the amount of sugars in the soil, the auxin would cause the plant to grow more.
While the results were in agreement with the hypothesis, something else was also
discovered. If the plant was exposed to too much sugar, its immune system was weakened, and
made the plant vulnerable to molds and funguses, where the bacteria in the intruder would cause
inhibition in plant growth, or cause it to begin dying. According to the data, the sugar
concentration greater than 0.5% caused a large drop in growth from Days 3-5. The growth
remained most stable with that exact concentration of sugar, while the other concentrations
caused a fluctuation in the growth pattern. Two conclusions can be drawn from the resulting data.
The first conclusion that could be made, is that the optimum concentration of sugar in the sugar
solution is 0.5%. The second conclusion that could be made is that if a proper watering schedule
was created for watering the plant with the sugar solution, then all of the remaining

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concentrations of sugar solution could also be utilized for optimum plant growth. For example,
the concentration of sugar in water that caused the highest growth on the second day was 2.0%
concentration. So, if the plant was watered with this concentration of sugar solution every four or
five days, the plant would grow much faster than anticipated. Of course, this would then cause
for a whole different experiment, so this conclusion is not supported by the data the way the first
conclusion is.

Evaluation:
Should this lab be repeated, it should be repeated carefully. The conditions for the plants
must be set carefully as any differences in the environment for the plant might cause the
experiment to result in faulty data.
This experiment is pretty strong, and doesnt have too many weaknesses. It was a 5x5
experiment, meaning there was a total of 25 plants being tested. Despite the large numbers, it
was not that difficult to carry out. The two weakness to be advised against is to ensure that the
conditions of the plants remained the same before the experiment began, as that might cause
differences in the plants. The second is that the experiment calls for the weakening of the plant
immune system, and therefore foster the growth of a mold or fungus. This mold or fungus causes
a terrible smell in the plants, and would also attract bugs. It is advised that precautions against
this be taken, by using gloves and keeping the plants from touching any skin.

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If anything in this lab could be changed, it would probably be the increments. Since it
was found that anything past 0.5% concentration of sugar in the sugar solution caused problems
in the plants growth, smaller increments in between 0.5% and 1.0% would help to determine
what the actual optimal sugar concentration might be. Therefore a range such as 0%, 0.25%,
0.5%, 0.75%, and 1.0% might be preferred.

Works Cited
(1) Walpole, B., & Davies, A. (2011). Biology for the IB Diploma (Second ed.). Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.

(2) Plant Hormones, Nutrition, and Transport. (n.d.). Retrieved June 14, 2015, from
http://www2.estrellamountain.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookPLANTHORM.html

(3) Fruit Juice As Fertilizer Watering Plants With Fruit Juices. (2014, March 19). Retrieved
June 14, 2015, from http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/fruitjuice-on-plants.htm