Wifi stunts plant growth?

[phunk]

No, whatever gave you that idea? Apparently the two batches of seeds were set on the window sill in different but similar class rooms with windows facing the same direction (south). In one of them three computers and two wifi transmitters were placed in proximity of the seeds. The computers were used to create constant wifi traffic between the routers.

The seeds were from 12 different batches, mixed together so they all should have the same growth potential. They were watered at the same time with identical amounts of water. The temperature in the two rooms was kept the same by an electronic regulator.

Seriously, folks. Read the report before condemning it. Sure, the controls could have been better, and there should have been blinding applied, but the experiment was not set up as badly as people here want to think.

Yes, the experiement was setup badly. This was done in classrooms, the opposite of a controlled environment. Any kid or teacher with a bias could have poisoned the plants in the wifi room. This is a learning experience for kids, but don't pretend it's a valid scientific study.

 

[Giordano]

There is little point to responding to svenax after so many years Nonetheless, the experiment was poorly set up for many reasons, if only that it was not double blind, let alone the many differences that were likely to be associated with the separate rooms, etc. In fact there is no way to know how much WiFi signal was in the "control" room compared to the experimental, let alone the possibility that waterings, etc. were different.

Sure- if anyone thinks that WiFi frequencies might affect plants- do a legitimate experiment. A poorly done experiment is worse than none at all, because it will convince people of a conclusion that can easily be wrong.

 

[mgidm86]

I start and grow plants in my computer room all the time. 2 computers, 2 monitors, wireless router. They are 4 feet away from it all right now.

I have also done the same in other rooms in my house with no computers or wi-fi.

I have been doing this for a long time and I get consistent results either way. Just my experience. I like the router/heat mat idea haha.

 

[cosmicaug]

Yes, the experiement was setup badly. This was done in classrooms, the opposite of a controlled environment. Any kid or teacher with a bias could have poisoned the plants in the wifi room. This is a learning experience for kids, but don't pretend it's a valid scientific study.

Apparently room temperature was controlled but, for purposes of sprouting, local temperature is everything and small differences in temperature will make a huge difference. Both sets of seeds were next to radiators. The window sills are clearly made of different materials. The computers on the treatment group are close enough to the plants to disrupt air flow patterns. All of this adds up to likely differences in temperature between the two groups.

No need for anyone to poison anything. In any case, that's not what the data shows: it shows large enough, statistically significant differences but not huge differences (the photographs accompanying these memes and retellings of this experiment are often misleading and do not reflect the numbers shown —ie, the no sprouts condition in the treatment group never happened).

 

[phunk]

Apparently room temperature was controlled but, for purposes of sprouting, local temperature is everything and small differences in temperature will make a huge difference. Both sets of seeds were next to radiators. The window sills are clearly made of different materials. The computers on the treatment group are close enough to the plants to disrupt air flow patterns. All of this adds up to likely differences in temperature between the two groups.

No need for anyone to poison anything. In any case, that's not what the data shows: it shows large enough, statistically significant differences but not huge differences (the photographs accompanying these memes and retellings of this experiment are often misleading and do not reflect the numbers shown —ie, the no sprouts condition in the treatment group never happened).

I'm not saying there's a need for anyone to poison anything. I'm just saying that this is not a controlled environment so anything's possible and the results are worthless.