The roots of breeding

摘要

Little is known about corn's extensive root system, even though it's responsible for absorbing nutrients and can account for up to half of the plant's biomass. In the past, researchers and breeders neglected to examine roots as extensively because oftheir complexity and limited accessibility underground. Now, the secrets of corn root architecture are being unearthed by a greenhouse system known as aeroponics, where plants are grown in air instead of soil. University of Guelph researchers are usingaeroponics to discover what makes roots more efficient at absorbing nitrogen and other important nutrients for plant growth.