Weronika Czaban of Poland did her Ph.D. at Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Section for crop sciences at University of Copenhagen.

Weronika studied root development of deep rooted crop species and intercropping systems. Her first study  focused on the effect of intercropping sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) and chicory (Cichorium intybus) on the deep root growth and nutrient uptake under field conditions. The data from this study was analyzed, and the first results show the potential of intercropping to increase the root growth below 2.5 m depth compare to the sole crops. Another of her intercropping studies focused on the effect of intercropping intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) with blue lupin (Lupinus perennis). 

The methods used include:

• Minirhizotrones
• Ingrowth cores
• Nutrient tracers, and
• Molecular techniques for root quantification.

Deep roots have nutritional, biogeochemical and ecological functions, and they provide many benefits to the crops. However, we lack knowledge of how to obtain deep roots. Weronika’s project tried to answer the question, whether agricultural practices, such as intercropping can increase deep root development and nutrient uptake.

The obtained knowledge will contribute in identifying practices for obtaining deep roots as well as relationships between root growth, crop status, and uptake of nutrients from deep soil layers.

Weronika commenced at University of Copenhagen on July 7^th 2018 and finish her studies on May 21^st 2021.