Two-dimensional root phenotyping system based on root growth on black filter paper and recirculation micro-irrigation

Abstract

Rattanapichai W., Klem K. (2016): Two-dimensional root phenotyping system based on root growth on black filter paper and recirculation micro-irrigation. Czech J. Genet. Plant Breed., 52: 64-70.Plant root system architecture (RSA) has an important role in crop production, particularly for water and nutrient uptake under limiting conditions. In the last few years, several root phenotyping methods have been developed. Here we present a new technique which has been developed for non-destructive, inexpensive and high-throughput root growth studies and RSA analyses. To illustrate the potential applications, this method was tested in an experiment with nitrogen and phosphorous deficiencies in a nutrient solution, affecting RSA parameters of two spring barley varieties (Bojos and Barke). This technique is based on root growth on vertically positioned black filter paper (30 × 60 cm) placed between two black plastic (PVC-P) foils and micro-irrigation systems providing the recirculation of nutrient solution. The pre-germinated seeds were placed in the slit between two plastic bars which carry the filter paper and plastic sheets and fix the plant in the vertical position. This system allows easy repeated non-invasive access to roots for their measuring and sampling. Eighteen days after transplanting the root imaging was done using an RGB digital camera. To evaluate the root architecture parameters the "SmartRoot" software was used. The results revealed that the system is able to detect changes in RSA which are caused mainly by P deficiency (particularly changes in lateral root length and total root area). It can be concluded that this technique has a great potential for non-destructive root growth studies, RSA measurement and root sampling.

Distinct Morphological, Physiological, and Biochemical Responses to Light Quality in Barley Leaves and Roots

“…Seeds were germinated on moistened germination paper for 48 h at 26°C in the dark. Germinating seeds were then transplanted into the growth unit, in which the roots grew on black filter paper that was between two black plastic sheets, and a micro-irrigation system recirculated a nutrient solution through the roots ( Figure S1 ; for details, see Rattanapichai and Klem, 2016). The nutrient solution was Hoagland’s No.…”

Dissecting root system architecture traits in durum wheat–goatgrass (Triticum durum–Aegilops speltoides) backcross introgression lines

“…Alternative to the field-based methods are the lab and greenhouse-based methods. These include cheaper setups like the filter paper method (Rattanapichai & Klem, 2016), cloth pouch method (Chen et al, 2020), clear pot method (Richard et al, 2015), agar plates (Nagel et al, 2020) and hydroponics (Liu et al, 2021) to expensive methods involving X-ray computed tomography (Mairhofer et al, 2015), magnetic resonance imaging (van Dusschoten et al, 2016), positron emission tomography (Garbout et al, 2012), electrical resistance tomography (Srayeddin & Doussan, 2009) and rhizotrons (Jeudy et al, 2016). These methods eliminate the variability arising due to the effect of climate and soil heterogeneity.…”