This title appears in the Scientific Report :
2014
Please use the identifier:
http://dx.doi.org/10.2136/vzj2014.03.0024 in citations.
In Situ Visualization and Quantification of Three-Dimensional Root System Architecture and Growth Using X-Ray Computed Tomography
In Situ Visualization and Quantification of Three-Dimensional Root System Architecture and Growth Using X-Ray Computed Tomography
We present a method to quantify the distribution and growth of plant roots in soil using X-ray computed tomography. The method can be applied to complex root systems and will be useful for the study of root–soil interactions.Root system architecture and associated root–soil interactions exhibit larg...
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Personal Name(s): | Koebernick, Nicolai (Corresponding Author) |
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Weller, Ulrich / Huber, Katrin / Schlüter, Steffen / Vogel, Hans-Jörg / Jahn, Reinhold / Vereecken, Harry / Vetterlein, Doris | |
Contributing Institute: |
Agrosphäre; IBG-3 |
Published in: | Vadose zone journal, 13 (2014) 8, |
Imprint: |
Madison, Wis.
SSSA
2014
|
DOI: |
10.2136/vzj2014.03.0024 |
Document Type: |
Journal Article |
Research Program: |
Terrestrial Systems: From Observation to Prediction Modelling and Monitoring Terrestrial Systems: Methods and Technologies |
Publikationsportal JuSER |
We present a method to quantify the distribution and growth of plant roots in soil using X-ray computed tomography. The method can be applied to complex root systems and will be useful for the study of root–soil interactions.Root system architecture and associated root–soil interactions exhibit large changes over time. Nondestructive methods for the quantification of root systems and their temporal development are needed to improve our understanding of root activity in natural soils. X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) was used to visualize and quantify growth of a single Vicia faba L. root system during a drying period. The plant was grown under controlled conditions in a sandy soil mixture and imaged every second day. Minkowski functionals and Euclidean distance transform were used to quantify root architectural traits. We were able to image the root system with water content decreasing from 29.6 to 6.75%. Root length was slightly underestimated compared with destructive measurements. Based on repeated measurements over time it was possible to quantify the dynamics of root growth and the demography of roots along soil depth. Measurement of Euclidean distances from any point within the soil to the nearest root surface yielded a frequency distribution of travel distances for water and nutrients towards roots. Our results demonstrate that a meaningful quantitative characterization of root systems and their temporal dynamics is possible. |