(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?”
Tag Archives: Climate change
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”
Introducing myself
Hi, I am Océane, I arrived in the Soil Ecosystem lab 2 years ago to work on this project as a postdoc. I did my PhD thesis on plant/microbe interactions in a small city called Nancy, located in the North East of France. I studied a beech tree forest, where, despite a natural pH andContinue reading “Introducing myself”
Introductory thoughts of a technician
My name is Holly and I am the research technician on this project. That means I work with Océane to make sure all of our experiments run smoothly and lab work is planned and completed well. I also help with fieldwork in the UK and the outreach/engagement remit of the project. I took over thisContinue reading “Introductory thoughts of a technician”
Microbial response to extreme climatic events 