When comparing root systems of corn plants growing on a square foot in a fertilized and irrigated cornfield with the root systems of natural prairie plants growing in a meadow, what result do you expect to see?
A) The overall mass of roots will be identical in a cornfield and on a meadow.
B) The mass and length of roots in a cornfield will be higher because soil is fertilized.
C) The mass and length of roots on a meadow will be higher because soil is poorer and there is a higher diversity of plants.
D) The overall mass of roots on a meadow will be lower but the length will be higher since roots need to grow deeper to reach nutrients.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In a natural meadow, the soil is typically poorer and there is a higher diversity of plants. This leads to a higher competition for resources between the different plant species, which results in longer and more widespread root systems. In a fertilized and irrigated cornfield, the soil is enriched with nutrients and the crop is the only plant species, leading to shorter and less spread-out root systems. Therefore, the mass and length of roots on a meadow will be higher than in a cornfield.

When Comparing Root Systems of Corn Plants Growing on a Square