A scanner-based rhizobox system enabling the quantification of root system development and response of Brassica rapa seedlings to external P availability

Adu, Michael O.; Yawson, David O.; Bennett, Malcolm J.; Broadley, Martin R.; Dupuy, Lionel X.; White, Philip J.

Abstract

Rhizoboxes are soil-root compartments that may well provide the closest naturalistic conditions for studying root systems architectures (RSAs) in controlled environments. Rhizobox-based studies can however lead to mis-estimation of root traits due to poor recovery of roots and loss of fine root features during washing of roots. We used a novel scanner-based rhizobox system to evaluate: (i) RSA traits of Brassica rapa genotypes; (ii) the relationship between root traits recorded from rhizoboxes and those of harvested roots and (iii) genotypic variation of seedlings in response to external P ([P] ext) availability. Brassica rapa genotypes were grown in soil-filled rhizoboxes abutting flatbed scanners and were watered once with either deionised water or a solution of 600 μM KH2PO4 to approximately 80% field capacity on a weight basis. Shoot and root P concentrations ([P]shoot and [P]root) of the B. rapa lines grown on different [P]ext were quantified. Visible root length at the surface of rhizoboxes constituted 85% of the total root length recovered from harvested root samples. High P supply induced a strong increase in [P]shoot in all genotypes (P < 0.001) whereas low P supply generally led to greater partitioning to roots. Seed P concentration and tissue P concentration were correlated only at low [P]ext. Total root length was strongly correlated with tissue P content under both low [P]ext (r = 0.81, P < 0.05) and high [P]ext (r = 0.82, P < 0.05) conditions. The novel scanner-based rhizobox system used addresses the substantial limitations associated with current use of rhizoboxes to study root growth dynamics.

Citation

Adu, M. O., Yawson, D. O., Bennett, M. J., Broadley, M. R., Dupuy, L. X., & White, P. J. (2017). A scanner-based rhizobox system enabling the quantification of root system development and response of Brassica rapa seedlings to external P availability. https://doi.org/10.3117/plantroot.11.16

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 6, 2017
• Publication Date: May 16, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jul 21, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 21, 2017
• Journal: Plant Root
• Electronic ISSN: 1881-6754
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Pages: 16-32
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3117/plantroot.11.16
• Keywords: Brassica rapa L., nutrient acquisition, phosphorus, rhizobox, root system architecture, scanner-based phenotyping
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/860466
• Publisher URL: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/plantroot/11/0/11_16/_article
• Contract Date: Jul 21, 2017