Science Project – Does rye really grow faster if cut?

BATMAN – posted 18 December 2004 08:57

I am in third grade and my science project was to see if annual rye grew faster if cut. Grew in cups and watered 2 tbl every other day. Cut one group, let the other grow. Cut group did grow up to 1-1.5cm more than the uncut group daily. Do you think this is because the uncut group is spending more energy to make seed?

tommy – posted 20 December 2004 12:47

Yes, a plant will usually put its energy into reproduction (flower,seed etc). Cutting a plant means it must replace what has been lost……so instead of the energy going toward seed, it must first replace the lost leaf tissue.