{"id":440,"date":"2026-08-26T16:50:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T22:50:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/labs.agsci.colostate.edu\/mckay\/?post_type=research&#038;p=440"},"modified":"2026-08-26T16:50:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T22:50:15","slug":"roots-project","status":"publish","type":"research","link":"https:\/\/labs.agsci.colostate.edu\/mckay\/research\/roots-project\/","title":{"rendered":"The ROOTS Project"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!-- block -->\n<div class=\"custom-block-wrappper text-block stylized lite top-spacing-default bottom-spacing-default\">\n\n    <p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The ROOTS Project is an ARPA-E funded project (and a branch of the larger ARPA-E project called SUBTERRA) that aims to develop high throughput phenotyping techniques, increase our understanding of the genetics of complex traits in maize, and investigate the genetics of carbon sequestration in maize roots. A multi-year field experiment was carried out using a maize variety panel to assess their response to drought conditions. We collected an assortment of phenotypic data\u00a0in order to\u00a0investigate the effects of drought on maize. What we are most interested in, however, is the behavior of the root system and how it responds to drought conditions. We are interested in the root systems because they\u00a0contain\u00a0large amounts\u00a0of carbon and because the root systems\u00a0remain\u00a0in the soil even after the maize is harvested. These factors could play\u00a0a major role\u00a0in combating atmospheric carbon emission recovery and\u00a0ultimately sequestration. To study the root systems, we implemented large scale Root Pulling Force events in which we collected data for the force\u00a0required\u00a0to remove the plant from the ground. The extracted root systems are then processed\u00a0further\u00a0and many more phenotypes are collected. By\u00a0identifying\u00a0and understanding phenotypes of interest that can improve carbon sequestration, we hope to provide the world with the knowledge it needs\u00a0in order to\u00a0begin using plants to combat atmospheric carbon accumulation.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Although Dr. John McKay and his team lead the efforts in the ROOTS Project, the larger SUBTERRA Project consists of collaborators around the country that are all working on different issues\u00a0pertaining to\u00a0climate change mitigation efforts. You can find out more about the SUBTERRA project by following this link:\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.subterra.org\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">https:\/\/www.subterra.org\/<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<!-- END block -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true},"class_list":["post-440","research","type-research","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/labs.agsci.colostate.edu\/mckay\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/research\/440","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/labs.agsci.colostate.edu\/mckay\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/research"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/labs.agsci.colostate.edu\/mckay\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/research"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/labs.agsci.colostate.edu\/mckay\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=440"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}