Millennium Scholars: Root Structure

The Millennium Scholars also had an opportunity to learn about root structure with different varieties of corn. Alden Perkin, M.S Candidate, lead the program and explained his research on corn varieties root structure in correlation with drought. We went to the plant science rain out shelters in Rock Springs to learn more about the project. Rain out shelters are really cool; they are moveable high tunnels that can be moved back and forth with a winch system and can block rain out to help simulate drought. 

After learning about the rain out shelters, students then were broken off into groups to look at root structures with different varieties of corn. Students would remove the plant from the pot and wash off all the dirt from the roots. This would allow the students to graft the roots and be able to see the tap roots. Seeing the roots first hand helps the students to fully understand root structure. This then helps the students to connect the amount of root growth with drought and understand the purpose of the research.