How to Graph the Growth of a Bean Plant

How to Graph the Growth of a Bean Plant

• 1

  Create a spreadsheet. This can be done using a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel, or by hand using a ruler on a sheet of paper. The number of rows in the spreadsheet will correspond with the number of bean height measurements, plus one for the column headings. The number of columns in the spreadsheet will correspond to the number of treatments (e.g., three watering regimes will require three columns) plus one for the row headings. In the first (leftmost) column, write the measurement number (e.g., Day 0, Day 7). In the first row, fill each cell with the title of the treatment type (e.g., no water, weekly water, daily water).

• 2

  Measure each bean-plant height at pre-determined intervals (e.g., every seven days). Make sure to measure each plant at each time interval in the same manner. For example, if you measure the bean plant from the level of the soil to the tip of the uppermost leaf be sure to take a similar measure on each plant at each time point. If you find taking measurements to be difficult, it may be useful to measure twice and take the average of the two values to create a single value. Record the value in the appropriate cell on the spreadsheet.

• 3

  Create a graph. The measurement interval (e.g., day number) is your independent variable and will go on the X (horizontal) axis. The height of your bean plant is your dependent variable and will be placed on the Y (vertical) axis. Using your spreadsheet, make a mark on the graph that corresponds to the time and value of your first measurement. For example, if you measured bean height on day seven to be 10 centimeters, draw a dot at the level of the 10 mark on your Y axis right above your day seven mark on your X axis. Continue this procedure for each value for your first time point. Draw a line connecting the dots, you have graphed the growth of a bean plant. If you have more treatments than one, continue plotting the points for each treatment just like you did the first treatment. It may be useful to use a shape different than a dot (e.g., a small x) or draw each line in a different color in order to distinguish between the lines.