Mesocosms are large tubes (1.5 m high x 15.24 cm in diameter) used to grow maize, or rice under long-term conditions (4-6 weeks). The roots have plenty of room to grow downward. Custom media mixes are used, and parameters such as drought, high/low Nitrogen and high/low Phosphorus availability are evaluated.
Maize experiment growing in mesocosms
Dr. Qun Wang measuring maize leaves
PhD student Jennifer Yang and visiting scholar Baoru Sun using the Li-Cor 6400 to obtain photosynthesis measurements
Carrying a mesocosm tube to washing station
Michael Williams shown removing plastic liner and plant from mesocosm tube
A typical 4-week old maize root system
Jenn Yang, rotating student Olivia (Sihui) Gao and Baoru Sun sampling maize root system PB030251.jpg
Removing a sample from maize root system
Inserting root segment into root respiration chamber
While obtaining respiration measurements, the root sample is kept at constant temperature in a water bath.
Xiyu Yang, graduate student, readies Li-Cor 6400 to obtain root respiration measurements
PhD student Jenna Reeger researches upland rice roots in response to drought stress.
maize mesocosms.jpeg
washing rice roots from mesocosm.JPG
root washer.jpg
Spotlight
Study shows ‘steep, cheap and deep’ roots help corn plants deal with drought
Jagdeep Sidhu and Sam Walker win awards at 2022 CSA (Crop Science, Soil Science, Agronomy Societies) meetings
Jonathan Lynch recognized as highly cited researcher in 2022 by Clarivate
Jonathan Lynch recognized as highly cited researcher in 2021 by Clarivate
Publication receives award from Crop Science Society of America
Tools for breeding cowpea with better roots highlighted in CSA news article
Breeding Beans for Better Roots
Professor Kathleen Brown retires after 41 years
Amelia Henry receives humanitarian award
Jagdeep Sidhu receives research award
Roots lab research focus of podcast from West German Public Radio
Newly discovered trait helps plants grow deeper roots in dry, compacted soils | Penn State University
CSA news article on Roots Lab work with bean breeding
Jagdeep Sidhu Receives College Research Funding
Jonathan Lynch recognized as Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate
Graduate student receives special award for early career contributions to ASPB
LAT root image wins photo competition of Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research
Graduate student awarded Outstanding Agricultural Graduate Student Award from AASIO
News story on bean root architecture reaches 6 million people, worth $240,000
Bean root architecture results highlighted in CSSA News
Field work proceeds with physical distancing, safety precautions
Spotlight
Study shows ‘steep, cheap and deep’ roots help corn plants deal with drought
Jagdeep Sidhu and Sam Walker win awards at 2022 CSA (Crop Science, Soil Science, Agronomy Societies) meetings
Jonathan Lynch recognized as highly cited researcher in 2022 by Clarivate
Jonathan Lynch recognized as highly cited researcher in 2021 by Clarivate
Publication receives award from Crop Science Society of America
Tools for breeding cowpea with better roots highlighted in CSA news article
Breeding Beans for Better Roots
Professor Kathleen Brown retires after 41 years
Amelia Henry receives humanitarian award
Jagdeep Sidhu receives research award
Roots lab research focus of podcast from West German Public Radio
Newly discovered trait helps plants grow deeper roots in dry, compacted soils | Penn State University
CSA news article on Roots Lab work with bean breeding
Jagdeep Sidhu Receives College Research Funding
Jonathan Lynch recognized as Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate
Graduate student receives special award for early career contributions to ASPB
LAT root image wins photo competition of Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research
Graduate student awarded Outstanding Agricultural Graduate Student Award from AASIO
News story on bean root architecture reaches 6 million people, worth $240,000
Bean root architecture results highlighted in CSSA News
Field work proceeds with physical distancing, safety precautions
