SUMMARY The phenotypic analysis of root system growth is important to inform efforts to enhance plant resource acquisition from soils; however, root phenotyping remains challenging because of the opacity of soil, requiring systems that facilitate root system visibility and image acquisition. Previously reported systems require costly or bespoke materials not available in most countries, where breeders need tools to select varieties best adapted to local soils and field conditions. Here, we report an affordable soil‐based growth (rhizobox) and imaging system to phenotype root development in glasshouses or shelters. All components of the system are made from locally available commodity components, facilitating the adoption of this affordable technology in low‐income countries. The rhizobox is large enough (approximately 6000 cm2 of visible soil) to avoid restricting vertical root system growth for most if not all of the life cycle, yet light enough (approximately 21 kg when filled with soil) for routine handling. Support structures and an imaging station, with five cameras covering the whole soil surface, complement the rhizoboxes. Images are acquired via the Phenotiki sensor interface, collected, stitched and analysed. Root system architecture (RSA) parameters are quantified without intervention. The RSAs of a dicot species (Cicer arietinum, chickpea) and a monocot species (Hordeum vulgare, barley), exhibiting contrasting root systems, were analysed. Insights into root system dynamics during vegetative and reproductive stages of the chickpea life cycle were obtained. This affordable system is relevant for efforts in Ethiopia and other low‐ and middle‐income countries to enhance crop yields and climate resilience sustainably.
The analysis of root system growth, root phenotyping, is important to inform efforts to enhance plant resource acquisition from soils. However, root phenotyping remains challenging due to soil opacity and requires systems that optimize root visibility and image acquisition. Previously reported systems require costly and bespoke materials not available in most countries, where breeders need tools to select varieties best adapted to local soils and field conditions. Here, we present an affordable soil-based growth container (rhizobox) and imaging system to phenotype root development in greenhouses or shelters. All components of the system are made from commodity components, locally available worldwide to facilitate the adoption of this affordable technology in low-income countries. The rhizobox is large enough (~6000 cm2 visible soil) to not restrict vertical root system growth for at least seven weeks after sowing, yet light enough (~21 kg) to be routinely moved manually. Support structures and an imaging station, with five cameras covering the whole soil surface, complement the rhizoboxes. Images are acquired via the Phenotiki sensor interface, collected, stitched and analysed. Root system architecture (RSA) parameters are quantified without intervention. RSA of a dicot (chickpea, Cicer arietinum L.) and a monocot (barley, Hordeum vulgare L.) species, which exhibit contrasting root systems, were analysed. The affordable system is relevant for efforts in Ethiopia and elsewhere to enhance yields and climate resilience of chickpea and other crops for improved food security.Significance StatementAn affordable system to characterize root system architecture of soil-grown plants was developed. Using commodity components, this will enable local efforts world-wide to breed for enhanced root systems.
Soil water deficit (WD) impacts vascular plant phenology, morpho-physiology, and reproduction. Chickpea, which is mainly grown in semi-arid areas, is a good model plant to dissect mechanisms involved in drought resistance.We used a rhizobox-based phenotyping system to simultaneously and non-destructively characterise root system architecture (RSA) dynamics and water use (WU) patterns. We compared the drought-adaptive strategies of ‘Teketay’ to the drought-sensitive genotype ICC 1882 in high and low initial soil moisture without subsequent irrigation.WD restricted vegetative and reproductive organ biomass for both genotypes. Teketay displayed greater adaptability for RSA dynamics and WU patterns and revealed different drought adaptive strategies depending on initial soil moisture: escape when high, postponement when low. These strategies were manifested in distinct RSA dynamics: in low initial soil moisture, its reduced root growth at the end of the vegetative phase was followed by increased root growth in deeper, wetter soil strata, which facilitated timely WU for seed development and produced better-developed seeds.We demonstrate that RSA adaptation to initial soil moisture is one mechanism by which plants can tolerate WD conditions and ensure reproduction by producing well-developed seeds. Our approach will help in identifying the genetic basis for large plasticity of RSA dynamics which enhances the resilience with which crops can optimally adapt to various drought scenarios.HighlightRoot system architecture and water use patterns change dynamically for distinct drought adaptation strategies in chickpea.
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