Rhizometrics: A Review of Three in Situ Techniques for Observation and Measurement of Plant Root Systems in Containers

Judd, Lesley A.; Jackson, Brian E.; Fonteno, William C.

doi:10.17660/actahortic.2014.1034.48

Cited by 4 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…In order to block sunlight from the rhizosphere, shade panels slide directly against the clear walls ( Figure 2 B). This design allows for repeated measurements of roots from a plug/liner/seed as they would fill out a standard greenhouse container; and this method aids in better understanding of root growth patterns, problems and potential [ 9 ]. Each chamber of the mini-Horhizotron has a width of 2.5 cm to maximize the chance of roots growing against the clear walls [ 66 ].…”

Section: Methods For Measuring Root Growthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Considering the large portion of the horticultural industry involved with growing plants in containers and the importance of understanding the physiology and morphology of roots, the factors that influence root growth in container production need to be investigated as well as their effect on root systems. Rhizometrics is a term derived from rhizo - (rhizosphere) and - metrics (series of parameters or measures of quantitative assessment used for measuring, comparisons or tracking performance or production) to describe several methods either developed or examined by researchers at North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC, USA) to observe and quantify root growth of plants in containers [ 9 ]. However, this term can be used to describe all root zone measurements, including field studies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Advancements in Root Growth Measurement Technologies and Observation Capabilities for Container-Grown Plants

Judd

Jackson

Fonteno

2015

Plants

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The study, characterization, observation, and quantification of plant root growth and root systems (Rhizometrics) has been and remains an important area of research in all disciplines of plant science. In the horticultural industry, a large portion of the crops grown annually are grown in pot culture. Root growth is a critical component in overall plant performance during production in containers, and therefore it is important to understand the factors that influence and/or possible enhance it. Quantifying root growth has varied over the last several decades with each method of quantification changing in its reliability of measurement and variation among the results. Methods such as root drawings, pin boards, rhizotrons, and minirhizotrons initiated the aptitude to measure roots with field crops, and have been expanded to container-grown plants. However, many of the published research methods are monotonous and time-consuming. More recently, computer programs have increased in use as technology advances and measuring characteristics of root growth becomes easier. These programs are instrumental in analyzing various root growth characteristics, from root diameter and length of individual roots to branching angle and topological depth of the root architecture. This review delves into the expanding technologies involved with expertly measuring root growth of plants in containers, and the advantages and disadvantages that remain.

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Section: Methods For Measuring Root Growthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advancements in Root Growth Measurement Technologies and Observation Capabilities for Container-Grown Plants

Judd

Jackson

Fonteno

2015

Plants

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“…At the HSL at NC State University, the authors have been investigating different methods to observe and quantify root growth, in a project termed Rhizometrics (Judd et al, 2014a). Two new techniques to measure root growth of plants during production have been developed and/or explored as potential new methods of quantifying root growth: 1) the mini-Horhizotron, and 2) the Rhizometer.…”

Section: Rhizometricsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Rhizometer allows for the measurement of the effects of a growing root system on the physical properties of a substrate, i.e., total porosity, air space, water content, and bulk density. The rhizometer is basically a Porometer (NCSU Porometer) modified with a clear cylinder for root observation and measurement (Judd et al, 2014a). The cylinder is fashioned with a short collar on top and a fine screen on the bottom (Figure 3).…”

Section: Rhizometermentioning

confidence: 99%

An overview of new and revised methodologies and technologies in substrate analysis and characterization

Jackson¹,

Fonteno²

2017

Acta Hortic.

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Substrate research, analysis, development, and characterization remain critically important in the 21 st century as horticulture and plant production continues to evolve and meet new challenges in today's ever-changing world. Three areas of substrate research in the Horticultural Substrates Lab at North Carolina State University have seen recent new methodologies and technologies introduced: root development and assessment, enhanced physical properties, and engineering and substrate construction. The mini-Horhizotron is a three-chambered device with clear sides (and detachable shade panels) that can be utilized to measure (manually or digitally) root growth and development, root branching and architecture, root hairs, root disease and overall health. The rhizometer is a clear cylinder apparatus that can be utilized to measure the influence of plant roots (undisturbed) on substrate physical properties over time. The clear cylinder design also offers the ability to observe and measure multiple root parameters over time without disturbance. Techniques to determine the wettability of substrates include the hydration efficiency and water capture method and contact angle measurements. The use of dewpoint potentiametry to directly measure substrate water potentials is providing new data on substrate unavailable water and permanent wilt ranges for horticultural crops. Advancements in organic matter processing and engineering (specifically bark and wood) have led to a better understanding of how various factors including moisture content, species, particle size, and machine type influence the consistency and reproducibility of these substrate components. New substrate fractioning and reconstruction techniques have been recently identified and studied to decrease weight/density and allow manufacturers to better be able to "design and build" substrates for specific purposes. The study of substrate particles is evolving to be able to measure surface area (external and internal) and identify specific particle shapes. Specific surface area and particle shape analysis can contribute to a greater understanding of how those parameters influence air and water relations, nitrogen drawdown potential, and shrinkage/decomposition in substrates. Advances in thermal imaging and near-infrared spectroscopy are also explored. These recent methods and techniques have the potential to further substrate science in the future and aid in our ability to design and construct substrates for maximum efficiency and productivity.

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“…The rhizometers have a 3.8 cm tall collar attached to the top to aid in packing the rhizometer with substrate and having extra space to plant a plug or seed. The rationale of this apparatus was to measure both the physical properties of substrates and the effects of growing roots on substrates, while also having the ability to observe and measure roots in situ (Judd et al, 2014). It is the clarity of this apparatus that offers potential in new ways of analyzing and characterizing root systems and root growth.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rhizometer root tracing techniques and digital image analysis for assessing and quantifying seedling root growth in substrates

Jackson¹,

Judd²,

Fonteno³

2017

Acta Hortic.

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The ability to observe and measure root growth of horticultural plants grown in pot culture is difficult to do without disturbing or damaging the roots of growing plants. The rhizometer was recently developed at North Carolina State University to observe plant root growth and measure the effect of root growth on undisturbed substrate physical properties over time. The clear cylinder design of the rhizometer allows for visible observations of the rhizosphere so that root data collection, such as root count, root length, and root hairs can be quantified without disturbance. The objective of this study was to measure several root system parameters on plants grown in the rhizometer using tracing techniques and digital image software. Root growth in three substrates were compared in this study; peat amended with 20% (v/v) of either perlite (PL), pine-wood-chips (PWC) or shredded-pine-wood (SPW). Both PWC and SW were produced by hammer-milling freshly chipped or shredded loblolly pine trees (Pinus taeda) through a 6.35 mm hammer mill screen. Twenty rhizometers were filled with each individual substrate and four species of seeds were individually planted directly into the rhizometers (one seed per rhizometer); bean (Phaseolus vugaris 'Gold Rush'), corn (Zea mays 'Jubilee'), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. 'Better Boy'), and marigold (Tagetes erecta 'Inca Orange') resulting in 60 rhizometers used. Three root measurements were taken once root tips were visible along the rhizometer cylinder; number of root tips (RT), number of roots with visible root hairs (RH), and cumulative root length (RL). Root length was measured by tracing the roots on a transparency sheet, taking a digital photograph, and using RootReader 2D software to select the traced roots and calculate total root length of the picture. Number of RT, RH, and RL measurements had linear responses over time for all four species. At 12 days after emergence (DE), corn had the largest total RL in the SPW substrate, and tomato had a higher total RL in PWC substrate at 12 DE compared to the other substrates. The higher total RL observed with these two species in SW and PWC substrates at 12 DE could possibly be attributed to structural particle differences (size and shape) of these three aggregates and the matrix of those particles in the container that facilitated faster or easier root growth through the substrate. As the roots of these plants grew into the substrates and likely altered the substrates' physical properties over time, there were no observable differences in RT, RH or RL among the substrates for each species at measurement dates after 12 DE. Root tracing and digital analysis were effective tools in further assessing root growth characteristics of seedlings in the rhizometer.

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Rhizometrics: A Review of Three in Situ Techniques for Observation and Measurement of Plant Root Systems in Containers

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

Advancements in Root Growth Measurement Technologies and Observation Capabilities for Container-Grown Plants

Advancements in Root Growth Measurement Technologies and Observation Capabilities for Container-Grown Plants

An overview of new and revised methodologies and technologies in substrate analysis and characterization

Rhizometer root tracing techniques and digital image analysis for assessing and quantifying seedling root growth in substrates

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