Abstract
BACKGROUND: A quantitative characterization of root system architecture is currently being attempted for various reasons. Non-destructive, rapid analyses of root system architecture are difficult to perform due to the hidden nature of the root. Hence, improved methods to measure root architecture are necessary to support knowledge-based plant breeding and to analyse root growth responses to environmental changes. Here, we report on the development of a novel method to reveal growth and architecture of maize root systems. RESULTS: The method is based on the cultivation of different root types within several layers of two-dimensional, large (50 × 60 cm) plates (rhizoslides). A central plexiglass screen stabilizes the system and is covered on both sides with germination paper providing water and nutrients for the developing root, followed by a transparent cover foil to prevent the roots from falling dry and to stabilize the system. The embryonic roots grow hidden between a Plexiglas surface and paper, whereas crown roots grow visible between paper and the transparent cover. Long cultivation with good image quality up to 20 days (four fully developed leaves) was enhanced by suppressing fungi with a fungicide. Based on hyperspectral microscopy imaging, the quality of different germination papers was tested and three provided sufficient contrast to distinguish between roots and background (segmentation). Illumination, image acquisition and segmentation were optimised to facilitate efficient root image analysis. Several software packages were evaluated with regard to their precision and the time investment needed to measure root system architecture. The software 'Smart Root' allowed precise evaluation of root development but needed substantial user interference. 'GiaRoots' provided the best segmentation method for batch processing in combination with a good analysis of global root characteristics but overestimated root length due to thinning artefacts. 'WhinRhizo' offered the most rapid and precise evaluation of root lengths in diameter classes, but had weaknesses with respect to image segmentation and analysis of root system architecture. CONCLUSION: A new technique has been established for non-destructive root growth studies and quantification of architectural traits beyond seedlings stages. However, automation of the scanning process and appropriate software remains the bottleneck for high throughput analysis.
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Claims 8
Claim · model-written summary
Rhizoslides supported good maize root images for up to 20 days with fungicide.
Zea maysOrganisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Long cultivation with good image quality up to 20 days (four fully developed leaves) was enhanced by suppressing fungi with a fungicide”
t0“maize root systems”
Claim · model-written summary
Three germination papers offered enough contrast for root segmentation.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“three provided sufficient contrast to distinguish between roots and background (segmentation)”
t0“maize root systems”
Claim · model-written summary
Smart Root measured root development precisely but required substantial user input.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“The software 'Smart Root' allowed precise evaluation of root development but needed substantial user interference”
t0“maize root systems”
Claim · model-written summary
GiaRoots best segmented batches and analyzed global root traits.
- Outcome
- best segmentation method for batch processinge0
- Comparator
- good analysis of global root characteristicse0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“'GiaRoots' provided the best segmentation method for batch processing in combination with a good analysis of global root characteristics”
t0“maize root systems”
Claim · model-written summary
GiaRoots overestimated root length owing to thinning artifacts.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“overestimated root length due to thinning artefacts”
t0“maize root systems”
Claim · model-written summary
WhinRhizo was fastest and precise for root lengths by diameter class.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“'WhinRhizo' offered the most rapid and precise evaluation of root lengths in diameter classes”
t0“maize root systems”
Claim · model-written summary
WhinRhizo had weaknesses in segmentation and architecture analysis.
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“had weaknesses with respect to image segmentation and analysis of root system architecture”
t0“maize root systems”
Claim · model-written summary
Scanning automation and software constrained throughput.
- Outcome
- bottleneck for high throughput analysise0
- Comparator
- automation of the scanning process and appropriate softwaree0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“automation of the scanning process and appropriate software remains the bottleneck for high throughput analysis”
t0“maize root systems”