Novel scanning procedure enabling the vectorization of entire rhizotron-grown root systems

• Main Authors: Lobet Guillaume, Draye Xavier
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2013-01-01
• Series: Plant Methods
• Online Access: http://www.plantmethods.com/content/9/1/1

<p>Abstract</p> <p/> <p>This paper presents an original spit-and-combine imaging procedure that enables the complete vectorization of complex root systems grown in rhizotrons. The general principle of the method is to (1) separate the root system into a small number of large pieces to reduce root overlap, (2) scan these pieces one by one, (3) analyze separate images with a root tracing software and (4) combine all tracings into a single vectorized root system. This method generates a rich dataset containing morphological, topological and geometrical information of entire root systems grown in rhizotrons. The utility of the method is illustrated with a detailed architectural analysis of a 20-day old maize root system, coupled with a spatial analysis of water uptake patterns.</p>