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Measuring root system traits of wheat in 2D images to parameterize 3D root architecture models

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Abstract

Background and aims

The main difficulty in the use of 3D root architecture models is correct parameterization. We evaluated distributions of the root traits inter-branch distance, branching angle and axial root trajectories from contrasting experimental systems to improve model parameterization.

Methods

We analyzed 2D root images of different wheat varieties (Triticum aestivum) from three different sources using automatic root tracking. Model input parameters and common parameter patterns were identified from extracted root system coordinates. Simulation studies were used to (1) link observed axial root trajectories with model input parameters (2) evaluate errors due to the 2D (versus 3D) nature of image sources and (3) investigate the effect of model parameter distributions on root foraging performance.

Results

Distributions of inter-branch distances were approximated with lognormal functions. Branching angles showed mean values <90°. Gravitropism and tortuosity parameters were quantified in relation to downwards reorientation and segment angles of root axes. Root system projection in 2D increased the variance of branching angles. Root foraging performance was very sensitive to parameter distribution and variance.

Conclusions

2D image analysis can systematically and efficiently analyze root system architectures and parameterize 3D root architecture models. Effects of root system projection (2D from 3D) and deflection (at rhizotron face) on size and distribution of particular parameters are potentially significant.

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Abbreviations

β:

Root segment angle to the horizontal

∆β:

Reorientation angle of an individual root segment

De :

Diffusion coefficient of a solute in soil

ibd:

Inter-branch distance

IRC:

Inter-root competition

μ:

Mean value

σ:

Standard deviation of the random deflection angle (tortuosity)

sg:

Sensitivity to gravitropism

std:

Standard deviation

θ:

Branching angle in the vertical plane

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Acknowledgements

Funding by German Research Foundation within the Research Unit DFG PAK 888 is gratefully acknowledged. The James Hutton Institute receives funding from the Scottish Government. We also thank Klaas Metselaar from the Department of Environmental Sciences at Wageningen University, Netherlands, for providing high-resolution scans of wheat root images from the Root Atlas and the authors of Atkinson et al. (2017) for publicly sharing their image datasets.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH, Agrosphere (IBG-3), D-52428, Juelich, Germany

    Magdalena Landl, Andrea Schnepf, Jan Vanderborght, Guillaume Lobet, Roland Bol & Harry Vereecken

  2. The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA, UK

    A. Glyn Bengough

  3. School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN, UK

    A. Glyn Bengough

  4. Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES) – Soil Science and Soil Ecology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 13, 53115, Bonn, Germany

    Sara L. Bauke

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  1. Magdalena Landl
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  2. Andrea Schnepf
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  3. Jan Vanderborght
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  4. A. Glyn Bengough
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  5. Sara L. Bauke
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  6. Guillaume Lobet
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  7. Roland Bol
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Correspondence to Magdalena Landl.

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Landl, M., Schnepf, A., Vanderborght, J. et al. Measuring root system traits of wheat in 2D images to parameterize 3D root architecture models. Plant Soil 425, 457–477 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-018-3595-8

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