Evolving technologies for growing,imaging and analyzing 3D root system architecture of crop plants

• Published in: Journal of integrative plant biology 2016-03, Vol.58 (3), p.230-241
• Main Authors: Piñeros, Miguel A, Larson, Brandon G, Shaff, Jon E, Schneider, David J, Falcão, Alexandre Xavier, Yuan, Lixing, Clark, Randy T, Craft, Eric J, Davis, Tyler W, Pradier, Pierre‐Luc, Shaw, Nathanael M, Assaranurak, Ithipong, McCouch, Susan R, Sturrock, Craig, Bennett, Malcolm, Kochian, Leon V
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abiotic stress; Aeration; computer software; Crops; Crops, Agricultural - anatomy & histology; Crops, Agricultural - growth & development; digital root phenotyping; Drought; fine roots; Genotype; hydroponics; Hydroponics - methods; image analysis; Image detection; Imaging, Three-Dimensional - methods; Innovations; mineral nutrition; nutrient deficiencies; Nutrient deficiency; Nutrients; Oryza - genetics; Oryza - growth & development; phenotype; Phenotyping; Plant roots; Plant Roots - anatomy & histology; Plant Roots - growth & development; Polysaccharides, Bacterial; Replenishment; root growth; root system architecture; root systems; Roots; RSA; Soil; soil types; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; 三维分布; 作物生长; 成像技术; 根系构型; 根系结构; 植物根系; 生长系统
• ISSN: 1672-9072; 1744-7909
• DOI: 10.1111/jipb.12456

A plant＇s ability to maintain or improve its yield under limiting conditions,such as nutrient de ficiency or drought,can be strongly in fluenced by root system architecture（RSA）,the three-dimensional distribution of the different root types in the soil. The ability to image,track and quantify these root system attributes in a dynamic fashion is a useful tool in assessing desirable genetic and physiological root traits. Recent advances in imaging technology and phenotyping software have resulted in substantive progress in describing and quantifying RSA. We have designed a hydroponic growth system which retains the three-dimensional RSA of the plant root system,while allowing for aeration,solution replenishment and the imposition of nutrient treatments,as well as high-quality imaging of the root system. The simplicity and flexibility of the system allows for modi fications tailored to the RSA of different crop species and improved throughput. This paper details the recent improvements and innovations in our root growth and imaging system which allows for greater image sensitivity（detection of fine roots and other root details）,higher ef ficiency,and a broad array of growing conditions for plants that more closely mimic those found under field conditions.