Zimmerman Blog 6

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My mentor’s doctoral research is in flux right now and will likely be substantially delayed until next spring of 25 for the final study.  We are continuing to push forward through the cloud of delay, detours, and unexpected complications.

We planted 48 specimen of Rainbow quinoa (Chemonopodium quinoa)  and lamb’s quarter (Chenopodium album).  This is a prelimary stage in the project to set soil moisture standards.  Around 100 germinants of each were planted and allowed a now two week growth period.  Only 4 of the transplanted germinants were successful in surviving and growing in the greenhouse pots.  The main study will need plentiful and growing plants of over 10 coger pairs of an invasive and non-invasive species to compare the root traits under flood and stress conditions and to set up the control plants.

The planted quinoa and lamb’s quarter – not many seedlings popped up.

The germination itself also is a choke point.  The soil mix could also be a restrictive factor for seedling growth.  Only one lamb’s quarter seedling appeared.  There a number of hypothetical factors that could be halting plant growth including adverse changes in the soil due to autoclaving and/or soil density in the mix currently in use.  These problems will require time, attention. and experimentation.

One of the quinoa that made it.
This is our best grower.

One help in reaching the main study is a high rate of seed germination.  My research this week is a short experiment with different germination methods.  I am germinating the seeds of the quinoa and lamb’s quarter in 4 different treatments with two replicants of each.  The germination treatments are filter paper, ground peatmoss, seedling soil, and agar in a temperature and light controlled incubator.  Filter paper germination was the previous technique.  The images below show the set up.

All the germination treatments in their petri dishes.
Seeds are transferred to their germination medium in sterile environment in the fume hood to lessen opportunities for mold.
Quinoa seeds counted and ready for a short 10 min soak in 1% bleach.
All the seeds in the incubator in their 4 seperate germination treatments.

The germination rate data will be collected from these trials and will hopefully provide some insights that will get the research further down the road to the invasive vs. non-invasive plant study looking at root traits in flood and drought conditions.  This germination data will be my reported study for my reearch experience.

Catch my final blog next week to learn of the twists and turns in this summer’s final episode of “As The World of Research Turns”.