Affects of Inter and Intra Specific Competition between Wheat and Mustard plants

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Ahsum Khan

AD Bio C Period

10/14/09

Affects of Inter and Intra Specific Competition between Wheat and Mustard plants

Abstract: A study was conducted to address the problem if interspecific competition occurs between mustard and wheat plants; and if intraspecific competition occurs within the plant species of mustard and wheat. It has hypothesized if plants of different or the same species are planted within vicinity of one another that there is a possibility of competition between them then competition will occur and one of the competitors will eventually be eliminated from that specific location. Intraspecific competition was explored for wheat and mustard plants by varying the density of plants per pot, from 2 seeds to 34 seeds. Interspecific competition was explored for wheat and mustard plants by planting several mixtures of the two species in the same pot. In addition, “control” pots containing only one plant (wheat or mustard) were planted, as well. After six weeks of occasional (daily to weekly) watering, and constant sunlight (except at night), the plants were analyzed for results (number of individuals and total biomass). Finding did not support the original hypothesis, due to the fact of interspecific competition did not eliminate the opposing species, and intraspecific competition did not eliminate the opposing competitors of the same species. Findings suggest that competition indeed, does exist, and was clearly shown in our results in (lower seed production (yield) and differentiation in length of individual plants).

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Hypothesis: If plants of different or the same species are planted within vicinity of one another that there is a possibility of competition between them then competition will occur and one of the competitors will eventually be eliminated from that specific location.  

 Methods:

1) Label one envelope for each of the treatments with the pot number, number of mustard seeds and/or wheat plants. Treatments include: differences in density of plants per pot- of plants of the same species, and planting several mixtures of the two species for plants of different species.  Do these treatments in separate pots: Pot ...

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**** Excellent graphical display and analysis of data but a lack of detail and consideration of variables in the method.