Rationale:

Communities of individual plant species are prevalent within areas after conventional tillage. Intraspecific
plant competition within transitional months of succession and growth have never been observed in forb
species. Forb species that have a competitive nature towards other plants of the same species are
narrow in data when it comes to stem and leaf growth. It is necessary to view intraspecific plant behavior
when forb species, which typically do not compete with each other in a grassland plain, compete amongst
themselves.

Question:
What effects will plant population density have on the shoots of Helianthus annuus?

Hypothesis:
The shoots of Helianthus annuus will not be affected by intraspecific competition resulting from plant
population density.

Materials:
Rear-Tine Tiller (Read the safety instructions before operating)
Bolo Tines (for tiller)
Measuring Tape (Must contain metric measurement)
16x Stakes
1100x Helianthus annuus seeds
12 Probe Thermometer
4x 5 Gallon Buckets
0.1% Toluidine Blue O
Glass Slides
Shovel or Spade
Gloves
Goggles
Brightfield microscope

Procedures:
1. 16m2 will be needed to create 4 plots with dimensions of 2m x 2m. Plot 4 plots with dimensions of
2m x 2m using the stakes. Each plot should contain only grasses, forbs, grass-likes, legumes
and/or ratanies. Woody plants are excluded based on the root relationship that is shared with low
lying, soft plants. There should not be any rocks, build up of water, or remains of wildlife such as
waste, carcasses, burrows, nests, etc found in these plots.
2. Use a conventional tillage method to cultivate all the plots.
3. Plant 100 Helianthus annuus seeds in the first plot, 10-20 centimeters deep.
4. Plant 200 Helianthus annuus seeds in the second plot, 10-20 centimeters deep.
5. Plant 300 Helianthus annuus seeds in the third plot, 10-20 centimeters deep.
6. Plant 400 Helianthus annuus seeds in the fourth plot, 10-20 centimeters deep.
7. Using the same soil within the plots, fill four 5 gallon buckets with mixed topsoil all the way to the
top.
8. Plant 10 Helianthus annuus seeds in the first bucket, 10-20 centimeters deep.
9. Plant 20 Helianthus annuus seeds in the second bucket, 10-20 centimeters deep.
10. Plant 30 Helianthus annuus seeds in the third bucket, 10-20 centimeters deep.
11. Plant 40 Helianthus annuus seeds in the fourth bucket, 10-20 centimeters deep.
12. Make slides for the cross sections of stems from each bucket and plot.
13. Stain the slides using Toludine blue O. Make sure you use the stain underneath a vent hood or
wear a respirator.
14. Sample and record the plots after clearing for 16 weeks using the quadrat method. Use the tables
in Appendix A and Appendix B to record data.
15. Analyse and conclude the data recorded.
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Appendix A:
Competition Data Chart:
 Measure and record values for up to 10 randomly selected individuals of each species and
record average. If a species does not have 10 individuals in a plot then use all plants of that
species in the plot and find the average.
Before Till:
Use Metric Scale Plants per Plot

Species

Plot 1 2 3 4

Height of up to 10
individuals

Length of 1st internode of

up to 10 plants from
cotyledons up

Width of widest leaf of up to

10 plants

Mean dry biomass of up to

10 plants

After Till:
Use Metric Scale Plants per Plot

Species

Plot 1 2 3 4

Height of up to 10
individuals

Length of 1st internode of

up to 10 plants from
cotyledons up

Width of widest leaf of up to

10 plants

Mean dry biomass of up to

10 plants
Appendix B:
Plot Sketch: Quadrat Method