Corn harvest and root washing

Last week, we harvested the MIP corn. We had to do so carefully as to preserve the stalk and root tissues while also separating them for individual analysis.

Dr. Chaudhary demonstrating the harvest method.

We used clippers to cut the stalk at the very base and put it in a paper bag for later. We then put the conetainer, containing the roots, into plastic bag and into the freezer. We put them in the freezer to stop all biological activity, especially decomposition. 

We want to weigh and record the root tissue mass, but we first must wash all of the soil off of the roots (The roots are very dirty). We do this very carefully.

Gaze in wonder at my clean roots

We then collect some of the tissue to be made into slides and save the rest for weighing.