Stars and STEM Stories
Earthworms and GLOBE -- Kuwait Teacher Studies pH of Tomato Plants
"I would like to emphasize the importance of agriculture and healthy crops in each country, by providing natural solutions to soil problems such as alkalinity and temperature that is important to growing plants and fruits." Jomana AlSaleh is a GLOBE teacher in Kuwait, a country that is known for its hot and dry weather. This makes plants and fruits hard to grow, but specific plants and fruits can grow in Kuwait by maintaining the suitable pH value. AlSaleh also noted the presence of earthworms, organisms that can affect plant growth. Being able to control soil pH value in home-grown gardens will save a lot of money instead of buying these fruits and vegetables from the market. Their class decided to conduct an experiment: The Impact of Earthworms on Soil Temperature and pH Value - A Field and Lab Investigation.
"The GLOBE Program teaches us to care about our environment." By observing pH value, soil temperature, and presence of worms we will know any changes occurring; acidic pH is not suitable to grow plants. PH can decrease for a number of reasons, like using some fertilizers or acid rain, so by checking pH regularly we can know if the soil is suitable for agriculture or not. Changing the pH to alkaline naturally with earthworms to suit the growing cycle of plants and fruits works well in Kuwait. Furthermore, by planting trees we are sure to decrease air pollution and produce more clean air.
Images courtesy Jomana AlSaleh, GLOBE Kuwait.
