Root analysis

A preliminary root analysis was performed on my research plots around the end of May or first of June. Twelve samples were collected from randomly selected plots. The samples were washed to remove sand and organic matter from the samples. For analysis, two centimeters of turf and thatch material was removed from the top of the sample. The remaining organic matter was removed in a bucket of water. The root samples were separated in a clear dish prior to putting them in the WinRhizo root scanner. Data was obtained from this analysis.

Further root sampling of all plots was performed on June 10 and 11, 2010. Two samples were obtained from each plot using a profile sampler to a depth of 10 cm. Only one sample was obtained from plots previously analyzed in the preliminary sampling. Prior to washing samples a thatch depth measurement was recorded for each sample because the thatch layer is extremely thick. This data may be more useful for the ball mark analysis. Sand and organic matter were removed from each sample by placing the samples in the clipping collection device with an metal mesh to allow sand and organic matter to pass through. All samples were washed on June 11, 2010 requiring approximately 6 hours to wash 96 samples.

Root analysis was performed using the WinRhizo once again. This was a laborious process, but I was able to finish analyzing all samples in approximately 12 hours. Once root material was analyzed, the two samples from each plot were combined and placed in a drying oven for 24 hours at 100 degrees C. Dry weights of roots will be obtained following the drying period.

I will have to work with the data from the txt file in excel to determine what each cell in the Excel file refers to. I feel that overall root length will be the best data. The fine roots of creeping bentgrass were difficult to separate fully, so if multiple roots were stacked on top of each other or in a group, the software believed this was a larger diameter root when it may not have actually been. A second problem was the small amounts of organic matter that were not able to be washed off the roots. These larger particles were analyzed as roots as well. Each sample was similar though, so data should be sufficient for this information.

I believe these roots should be the largest and highest quanity I will be analyzing. I believe that later in the summer, roots will begin diminishing and dying off. Future measurements may result in less root material that may separate more easily.