We are now about 20 weeks into the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. The lockdown was largely lifted across the country but then a local lockdown was reinstated in Manchester. Thankfully the new rules do not affect our access or ability to proceed.
The University of Manchester started slowly reopening research facilities in phases about a month ago. Some of our lab members have already gone back to work, following strict new health and safety guidelines. Our group has also set up a scheduling system to ensure we follow the rules, don’t exceed maximum occupancy, and people get fair access to in demand instruments. Océane and I have recently been added to the access list, in preparation for the labwork associated with our two harvests.
Back at the polytunnel, our pest measures were fairly successfully in controlling the aphid issue. Our plants are now a little older than we initially planned so we are giving some thought to how best to proceed. We have had both extremes of weather to deal with over the last few months, from thunder storms to heatwaves. Even with the industrial fans on, repeated watering and all the doors open, the polytunnel reached some uncomfortable temperatures in the high 30’s! I researched some cooling “hacks” online and tried an ice tray in front of the fan, inline or adjacent fans and wetting the surrounding ground (with unknown results).
We also used the Ikea click and collect service to purchase some plastic plates to use as pot saucers. We were surprised to find a complete lack of the correct size saucers available online in the time frame we needed, but then, this was at the height of the lockdown. The saucers were essential as they allowed us to water from the bottom. This was vital not because of the heat (although that later proved useful) but because our pest control critters don’t thrive under heavy watering.
I have also planted out a batch of new pots, which still have 12 individual plants but of all the same species. The idea of these single species pots is to use them for root trait analysis to accompany the main experiment.
After years of promises, the university finally started to replace our old glasshouses late last year. Only the skin of the new building was up when the pandemic hit but the builders did continue to work during lockdown, albeit in reduced numbers. After months of slow progress, we have been assured that the inside is now pretty much complete. However, we don’t know how long the snagging list and hand over process will take. Ideally, we would start the treatment phase of our experiment in the new greenhouses which have more control and better facilities than the polytunnel.
Microbial response to extreme climatic events 