Amira Aquarian

Period #3
11/12/18
Proposal

Return of the Microbes

Soil vs. Compost & Soil Mixture
Abstract:
For my experiment, I will be testing the difference between lettuce growth in soil
compared to a mixture of soil and compost. In order to increase not only the plant health
but the soil's health as well, compost is essential. When using compost, it allows more
air, nutrients, microbes, as well as fewer pests. The soil is able to hold more moisture
and a balance of pH. On a bigger scale, if people started to compost, we could help
decrease landfill usage which then helps minimize climate change. My project will
investigate if and how much better lettuce grows in a soil and compost mixture
compared to the soil alone.

Background:
Soil provides the essential nutrient plants need to grow. The type of essential
nutrients and the amount of air in the soil are important because when you add compost
to the soil, it acts as an amendment. Compost returns organic material to the soil which
results in healthier plants.1 It also helps add important nutrients which then acts as a
slow-release fertilizer that is natural for plants and microbes. Compost increases the
population and diversity of soil microbes.2 Being able to take scraps and turn that into a
healthier alternative for plants can save a lot of money. Aside from not having to buy
planting soil from the store, when you create and use your own compost, it is able to
retain more moisture concluding in not having to water it as much so you can save
water. When you mix compost into the soil, it has been scientifically proven that it has
many benefits. A few of these benefits are, it reduces and prevents pests and diseases
at the same time as increasing soil life. It also helps balance pH in the soil which then
results in a decrease in plant stress. Lastly, compost assists soil by improving its
structure so that their roots can easily expand and access nutrients.3 In the article “The
Benefits of Using Compost in Your Garden,” it sites the U.S. Composting Council saying
that when you use a decent amount of compost, it has both immediate and long-term
positive impacts on the soil structure. This allows humus proteins to bind the soil
particles together. This allows the soil to resist compaction as well as an increase in its
ability to hold moisture and nutrients. 4

1
​https://mcgillcompost.com/blog/compost-products-and-use/topsoil-mulch-compost-difference
2
​https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8367.pdf
3
​https://themicrogardener.com/how-to-use-compost-and-7-benefits-of-composting/
4
​https://earth911.com/home-garden/garden-compost-benefits/
 Amira Aquarian
Period #3
11/12/18
Proposal

Significance:
There are so many benefits to compost that it almost becomes a cycle. Using
homemade compost minimizes the need to buy chemical fertilizers. Both chemical
fertilizers and compost supply basic nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus,
but compost also holds trace minerals and other nutrients that the fertilizer doesn’t.
Compost can not only help your health and save money, but it also helps the
environment. We have a big problem spending money on landfills to make sure that the
trash dumped doesn’t get into our air, land, and water. It has come to spending several
hundred millions of dollars building pipes, liners, and machines that capture gas.
Because we are throwing so much away, the landfills are filling up, ending up with us
needing more space for more landfills, but it is getting tougher to not get them denied of
the fact that nobody wants one in their backyard. 80% of our “trash” can either be
re-used, recycled or composted, resulting in not having to throw nearly as much away,
saving space and money.5 When people don't compost all perfectly compostable food
scraps, it builds up and can create greenhouse gas which is 21 more times potent than
carbon dioxide. When composting does occur, that helps minimize landfills’ contribution
to climate change.6 In conclusion, when you compost food scraps instead of throwing
them away, it makes a healthier environment as well as healthier soil and food.
Composting reduces carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O).
Nationally, the amount of food being composted rose from 1.84 million tons in 2013 (5%
of food) to 2.1 million tons (5.3% of food) in 2015.7 My research will be focused on
growing and comparing lettuce grow in plain soil from the Old Fort Lewis farm and the
same soil but with compost that my family made mixed into it.

5
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufsbrz8IRgY
6
​https://homeguides.sfgate.com/composting-helps-environment-23577.html
7

https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/reducing-impact-wasted-food-feeding-soil-a
nd-composting
 Amira Aquarian
Period #3
11/12/18
Proposal

Methods:

Plants: ​For my experiment, I am using lettuce.​ ​More specifically, I will be using

Muslim lettuce seeds. I chose lettuce because it grows fast, can be planted easily and
in a condensed way, and is a healthy and nutritious food option.
Control Group: ​Will be grown in original soil from the Old Fort Lewis Farm
Experimental Group: ​Will be grown in a mixture of soil from the Old Fort Lewis
Farm compost made on my farm.

Question: ​How does adding compost to the soil affect the growth of lettuce?
Null hypothesis: ​There is not a difference between how well lettuce grows when
using plain soil and a mixture of soil and compost.
Alternative Hypothesis 1: ​Lettuce will grow larger in the compost & soil mixture
compared to the regular soil.
Alternative hypothesis 2: ​Lettuce will grow larger in the regular soil compared
to the compost & soil mixture

Planting Conditions:

Sample size: ​20 plants for each type of soil, 40 plants in total
Planters: ​I am going to build two planters out of cardboard and duct tape and
then line it with plastic
Placement: ​I am going to put both of my planters on a metal shelf
Watering schedule: ​Lettuce is supposed to be watered every 4-5 days so I am
going to water my plants Mondays and Fridays between 10:00 and 11:00 am.
Amount of water: ​In order for lettuce to grow the best it can, when watered you
are supposed to soak the first 6 inches of soil.
Lighting times: ​I will use grow lights while growing my lettuce. Grow lights
consist of ​15 Red/ 7 Blue/1IR/1UV/ 2 White/ 2. In order to make sure my plants get
enough light, I am going to keep the grow light on 24/7.
Temperature: ​Lettuce can withstand temperatures ranging between 40 degrees
to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, which we will keep the classroom I am growing it in
monitored.
 Amira Aquarian
Period #3
11/12/18
Proposal

Data Collection:

Measuring Leaf Length: ​In order to collect data throughout my experiment, I am

going to measure each leaf when it starts growing out of the soil. I will compare the
process of lettuce leaf growth in the end. I am also going to take the biggest leaf’s from
each of the 40 plants and create an average for both of the different soils.

Recording Table:

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8

Plant Plant Plant Plant Plant Plant Plant Plant
Length Length Length Length Length Length Length Length
(cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm)

C​1

C​2

C​3

……….

S​1

S​2

S​3

……….

Analysis Table:

/////////////////////////////// Plants in Compost Plants not in Compost Total

/

Plant leaf length

above (8 cm) 2 0 2
Plant leaf length
below (8 cm) 18 20 38
 Amira Aquarian
Period #3
11/12/18
Proposal

Total 20 20 40
Timeline:

Week Timeline

1 Build planters, plant seeds, decide how much water to use for each watering
cycle.

2-3 Plants sprout and grow. Start collecting data one a week on Mondays

4-6 Continue growing plants and collecting data

7-8 Plants finish growing, conclusion

Materials & Budget:

Items Cost Where I will you get them

Planters - Free At School

Cardboard boxes with duct
tape and a plastic liner (x2)

Lettuce Seeds Free At home

Soil Free Old Fort Lewis Farm

Compost Free At home

Water Free Water fountain @ school

Measuring Tools Free At school

Growing Lights Free At school

Total Cost $0.00 ///////////////////////////////////////////////

 Amira Aquarian
Period #3
11/12/18
Proposal

Sources:

1. https://mcgillcompost.com/blog/compost-products-and-use/topsoil-mulch-compost-differe
nce
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgtYSJq0lko
3. https://themicrogardener.com/how-to-use-compost-and-7-benefits-of-composting/
4. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/basics/garden-compost-benefits.htm
5. https://earth911.com/home-garden/garden-compost-benefits/
6. https://www.planetnatural.com/composting-101/soil-science/compost-soil/
7. https://www.backyardboss.net/compost-vs-topsoil/
8. https://www.growveg.com/guides/the-pros-and-cons-of-cultivating-soil/
9. https://tendingmygarden.com/soil-test-the-pros-and-cons/
10. http://makedirtnotwaste.org/sites/default/files/composting_factsheet_0.pdf
11. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/composting-helps-environment-23577.html
12. http://www.lhpowerandlight.org/benefits-of-composting.html
13. https://www.planetnatural.com/composting-101/environmental-issues/
14. https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8367.pdf
15. https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/reducing-impact-wasted-food-feedin
g-soil-and-composting
16. https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home
17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufsbrz8IRgY
18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joYIbQIeYR0
19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4Ph7bWFwSk
20. https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ecs2.1270
21. http://www.portlandediblegardens.com/blog/2017/1/19/compost-the-perfect-amendment
22. https://www.sunset.com/garden/garden-basics/improving-soil-structure
23. https://m.extension.illinois.edu/homecompost/science.cfm
 Amira Aquarian
Period #3
11/12/18
Proposal

Approval:

Summer Sanford ______________ Date:________

Dan Thurbur ______________ Date:________