Effects of Mycorrhizal Fungi on 3 Plant Species

Plant species Mycorrhizal host Average mass of plants grown in soil containing mycorrhizal fungi (in grams) Average mass of plants grown in soil treated to kill fungi (in grams)

Corn Yes 15.1 3.8

Marigold Yes 10.2 2.4

Broccoli No 7.5 7

Mycorrhizal fungi in soil benefits many plants, substantially increasing the mass of some. A student conducted an experiment to illustrate this effect. The student chose three plant species for the experiment, including two that are mycorrhizal hosts (species known to benefit from mycorrhizal fungi) and one nonmycorrhizal species (a species that doesn't benefit from and may even be harmed by mycorrhizal fungi). The student then grew several plants from each species both in soil containing mycorrhizal fungi and in soil that had been treated to kill mycorrhizal and other fungi. After several weeks, the student measured the plants' average mass and was surprised to discover that

Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the statement?

Question

Effects of Mycorrhizal Fungi on 3 Plant Species
Plant species	Mycorrhizal host	Average mass of plants grown in soil containing mycorrhizal fungi (in grams)	Average mass of plants grown in soil treated to kill fungi (in grams)
Corn	Yes	15.1	3.8
Marigold	Yes	10.2	2.4
Broccoli	No	7.5	7

Mycorrhizal fungi in soil benefits many plants, substantially increasing the mass of some. A student conducted an experiment to illustrate this effect. The student chose three plant species for the experiment, including two that are mycorrhizal hosts (species known to benefit from mycorrhizal fungi) and one nonmycorrhizal species (a species that doesn't benefit from and may even be harmed by mycorrhizal fungi). The student then grew several plants from each species both in soil containing mycorrhizal fungi and in soil that had been treated to kill mycorrhizal and other fungi. After several weeks, the student measured the plants' average mass and was surprised to discover that

Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the statement?

Accepted Answer

broccoli grown in soil containing mycorrhizal fungi had a slightly higher average mass than broccoli grown in soil that had been treated to kill fungi.

Answer

corn grown in soil containing mycorrhizal fungi had a higher average mass than broccoli grown in soil containing mycorrhizal fungi.

Answer

marigolds grown in soil containing mycorrhizal fungi had a much higher average mass than marigolds grown in soil that had been treated to kill fungi.

Answer

corn had the highest average mass of all three species grown in soil that had been treated to kill fungi, while marigolds had the lowest.