APPLICATION CASE

Root Phenotyping

using images taken from flat rhizotrons

Root phenotyping – usually combined with shoot phenotyping – of plants grown in rhizotrons combines an access to the root system with a soil-based cultivation. It enables monitoring root growth, root system properties, and detemining the root density in soil layers. Analytical factors comprise root length, root system width and depth, root branching, root growth direction, root curvature, or root density per soil layers. Root phenotyping serves in genotype-phenotype studies, or in the assessment of plant responses to environmental factors. Root phenotypes are important in plant breeding, particularly for breeding plants adapted to harsh climatic conditions.

Exemplary fields of application

Root development
Root-shoot relations
Genotype-phenotype analysis
Responses to environment
Stress

Application ranges

Plant research
Soil research
Stress and disease phenotyping
Breeding
Product development
Fertilizers, Biostimulants, Agrochemicals

Samples and imaging

Plant grown in soil-filled rhizotron that is stored in a 45° angle
Root system visible at the transparent plate of the rhizotron
Image of the rhizotron plate for root phenotyping
Root image usually taken together with top- and side-view images of the shoot (shoot analysis shown in separate application cases)