(And why does it take so long?!) Our lab has been using the root scanner as a tool for root trait analysis for a few years now. The scans are analysed with WinRHIZO software which provides (among other things) structural root trait information such as total root length, average root diameter and root volume. As inContinue reading “What is root scanning?”
Category Archives: Technical
Experiment Three Harvest Summary
The last few months have been very busy for our project. Added to the general chaos of life in an everchanging pandemic, we haven’t found the time to update our social media very much. We have been productive though; the greenhouse phase of experiment three was completed before Christmas so all efforts are now onContinue reading “Experiment Three Harvest Summary”
The New Greenhouse and the Next Phase
On my first day back at work after a short holiday, and Océane’s first day out of quarantine after flying back to Manchester from France, something wonderful happened… The university took official ownership of our shiny new modern greenhouse building! After years of general delays and 6 months of COVID delays, we were finally allowedContinue reading “The New Greenhouse and the Next Phase”
Experiment 3 Progress
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 aboutContinue reading “Experiment 3 Progress”
Ladybird larvae in lockdown
By the time I finished the first pass of weeding, the pots at the beginning already had some new weeds sprouting, as shown in this photo of a pot that should be a soil blank. I ordered some fly paper when I first noticed the aphid issue – it isn’t particularly helpful against the onesContinue reading “Ladybird larvae in lockdown”
Polytunnel Progress
The University of Manchester is still in lockdown, with all learning online, and every member of staff possible working from home. So for now, instead of the swanky new greenhouses we were promised many years ago, we are growing our plants in a large and slightly draughty polytunnel – but it’s better than nothing! EachContinue reading “Polytunnel Progress”
Corona Chaos
Like everyone else, the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, social distancing measures and subsequent lockdown in the UK has had a huge impact on experiment three of the project. After months of preparation and methodical batch germination, we had just reached the potting out stage of our microbial community experiment. The plan was to plant our seedlingsContinue reading “Corona Chaos”
Suboptimal Conditions
I’ve been sieving the soil (not constantly you’ll be pleased to hear) for about two weeks now. Big, dirty jobs like this generally take place at the university botanical grounds, colloquially known as The Firs. We used to have a row of large but very dilapidated glasshouses. They were torn down last year so aContinue reading “Suboptimal Conditions”
Microbial response to extreme climatic events 