Mapping legume roots can determine best performing crops
This summary is part of a joint project between the Knowledge Mobilization Unit and Scholars Commons at Wilfrid Laurier University, and the Knowledge Mobilization Unit at York University. Laurier promotes the use of knowledge mobilization to maximize the impact of Laurier research on public policy, professional practice and community engagement. This summary was written by Shawna Reibling.
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Abstract
Legume plants have a mutually beneficial relationship with bacteria. These beneficial bacteria live in nodules found on plant roots. Until recently there was no way to systematically measure the roots the nodules are found on and to place accurately the nodules on these roots. The research team created software and a method to measure multiple root parameters which were not available previously. This allows different plant varieties to be compared with precise measurements of the root structure in order to figure out which plants will grow better.