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

Pi�eros, Miguel A.; Larson, Brandon G.; Shaff, Jon E.; Schneider, David J.; Falc�o, 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 J.; Kochian, Leon V.

Abstract

A plant's ability to maintain or improve its yield under limiting conditions, such as nutrient deficiency or drought, can be strongly influenced 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 modifications 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 efficiency, and a broad array of growing conditions for plants that more closely mimic those found under field conditions.

Citation

Piñeros, M. A., Larson, B. G., Shaff, J. E., Schneider, D. J., Falcão, A. X., Yuan, L., Clark, R. T., Craft, E. J., Davis, T. W., Pradier, P.-L., Shaw, N. M., Assaranurak, I., McCouch, S. R., Sturrock, C., Bennett, M. J., & Kochian, L. V. (2016). Evolving technologies for growing, imaging and analyzing 3D root system architecture of crop plants: Digital phenotyping of root system architecture. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, 58(3), 230-241. https://doi.org/10.1111/jipb.12456

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 16, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Mar 17, 2016
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Deposit Date: Aug 4, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 4, 2016
• Journal: Journal of Integrative Plant Biology
• Print ISSN: 1672-9072
• Electronic ISSN: 1744-7909
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 58
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 230-241
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jipb.12456
• Keywords: Abiotic stress; digital root phenotyping; mineral nutrition;; root system architecture
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/779999
• Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jipb.12456/abstract
• Contract Date: Aug 4, 2016