Methode zur zerstörungsfreien Messung der Wurzelentwicklung

Abstract

Studies aiming at quantification of roots growing in soil are often constrained by the lack of suitable methods for continuous, non-destructive measurements. A system is presented in which maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings were grown in acrylic containers — cuvettes — in a soil layer 6 mm thick. These thin-layer soil cuvettes facilitate homogeneous soil preparation and observation of root growth. Cuvettes were placed on a rack slanted to a 45° angle throughout the experiment to promote growth of roots along the transparent acrylic sheet. At two- to three-days intervals, cuvettes were placed on a flatbed scanner to collect digital images from which root length and root diameters are measured using available software. Results show that this system allows researchers to observe and quantify simultaneously the time courses of root development.