AboutDana Krempels, Ph.D. Expertise I can answer biology-related questions in the areas of evolution, zoology, botany, genetics, and ecology. But I don't answer homework questions or provide ideas for your science fair projects. So students please do your learning the right way by reading your text assignments and studying!
Experience At the University of Miami, I teach Evolution and Biodiversity, Botany, Zoology, Genetics, Ecology, and a variety of seminars (e.g., the Biology and Evolution of Human Gender Roles).
Education/Credentials I have a B.S. in Biology and an A.B. in English from the University of Southern California (1980).
I earned my Ph.D. in Biology in the area of evolutionary biology/visual physiology from the University of Miami in 1989.
Past/Present Clients I am currently an "expert" in both the "Rabbits" and "Wild Animals" categories.
Question Hello! I'm doing a science project on bean plants and their growth and I was wondering How much sunlight they need a day.
Beth
Answer Dear Beth,
Bean plants can probably grow well on 12 hours of sunlight a day, but may be able to do with less.
I don't know the absolute minimum, but because beans have so much endosperm in the seed, they probably can grow bigger than many other plants--at least for the first week or so--with less light than others.
An interesting project might be to see just how little sunlight a bean plant can have and still survive and grow, or if there is a significant difference in growth between plants receiving different amounts of light, with all other things being kept constant.
But if you're controlling light for a treatment and control group of beans in which you are manipulating something else, then I'd suggest giving them 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark. That's about what they'd get in the springtime in their native, temperate habitats (depending on which species you're using, and noting that the beans you buy in the store are domesticated, and might have different requirements than wild beans).
A day-length project could have implications for how far north beans can be grown, even if the climate gets warmer. Good luck on your project, whatever you decide!
