Abstract
The dry weight content of root samples from perennial ryegrass and white clover decreased significantly over a week’s storage in 70% ethanol, but did not change further with longer storage times. Ryegrass roots lost on average 22.4% of the original dry weight, and clover roots lost 29.2%. Storage of roots in ethanol prior to image analysis of root traits could introduce significant error in the calculation of parameters involving root dry weight. Determination of root fresh weights, and dry weight for a subsample prior to preservation would allow calculation of a correction factor for dry weights obtained from preserved samples.
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Acknowledgments
Waller J. E. of AgResearch for the statistical analyses; funding from Foundation for Research, Science and Technology contract C02X0406
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Communicated by W. Filek.
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Crush, J., Ouyang, L. & Nichols, S. Loss of weight in ryegrass and clover roots preserved in ethanol prior to image analysis for root traits. Acta Physiol Plant 32, 605–606 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-009-0435-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-009-0435-8