Transcript Poster

Affects of Intraspecific Competition among Varying Groups of Marigolds
Tiffany Landis
Department of Biology, Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, TN
Results
Density vs Total Plant Weight
Introduction
“Competition, either among members of the
same or different species may have broad
effects on plant community structure. The
more crowded a population the more
competition there is for resources.” (Tansley,
1917)
Total Plant Weight
5000
4000
3000
Density vs Total
Plant Weight
2000
1000
Average Leaf Weight
Density vs Average Leaf Weight
0
60
50
40
30
20
Density vs Average
Leaf Weight
10
0
0
0
20
40
60
20
Methods
I obtained six pots and labeled with the number of seeds in
each pot. The plants were kept in a sunroom and watered
regularly. I obtained marigold seeds and planted the following
densities of seeds in each pot:2, 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64 plants
per pot. Each week I measured the number of leaves on each
plant in each pot, heights of the plant stems, and number of
flowers on each plant. I then gathered detailed information
from each pot number of plants, weights of plant stems,
number of leaves and length of stems. I obtained stem
weights of the plants by clipping out the plants at soil level,
clipping off the leaves and placing them on a scale.
80
Density vs Percent Survival
120
6
5
4
Density vs Average Stem
Length
3
2
1
0
0
20
40
60
Percent Survival
Average Stem Length
To determine whether or not intraspecfic
competition affects plant growth in
marigolds. If this is true then the
marigolds will experience low survival
and growth rates. If it is not true then the
marigolds will not experience affects on
survival and growth rates.
60
Density
Density
Density vs Average Stem Length
Objective
40
80
80
100
80
Density vs Percent
Survival
60
40
20
0
Density
0
50
100
Density
Conclusion
Density had no effect on the growth of the
plants. Thus, concluding that there is no
significant difference in all aspects of growth
of the plants. The results were not conclusive
enough to say that competition affected their
growth.
Acknowledgments:
I would like to thank Dr. Brown and Dr. Morgan for helping me with the various
aspects of my research.