This module comprises destructive and non-destructive measurement of root growth, architecture, morphology, and water uptake in soil in controlled environments and in the field. Well-established methods include screening of root growth and architecture in clear-faced boxes, large germination papers, and long tubes of soil (50 cm) in controlled conditions. Controlled environment screening has been routinely coupled to field coring (seedling and adult plants to 2 m with tractors) for roots and soil water content, and indirect soil moisture measurements to detect the presence and function of roots. New non-invasive methods are in development for their second year in controlled and field conditions. These include optical, infra-red and electrical resistance measurements of roots directly or indirectly by measuring water uptake. Thermal imaging is being used in the field to detect plants with cool canopies that are taking up water with superior root systems. A Lemna-tech system in the Centre uses near-infrared (NIR) reflectance from soil columns; the reflected NIR will allow quantification of water depletion over time. This will provide information on where and how much water is being used by the plant. Colour images of the roots will also be co-registered with the NIR signal to understand the role/function of different roots. MRI and X-ray tomography of roots in soil columns is available through collaborations nationally and internationally. Collaborations include: Prof Iain Young, University of New England, Armidale (X-ray tomography) and Mariana Amato, Università della Basilicata (electrical resistance tomography in the field – being trialled this 2010 season). These non-invasive measurements could be extremely valuable in field and controlled conditions as they are more rapid than destructive methods and allow many more plants and plots to be analysed, plus they allow visualisation of roots in soil.

This module comprises optical, infra-red and electromagnetic detection of root morphology, structure and function in soil in controlled environments and in the field. Access to MRI and X-ray tomography will be available through collaborations nationally and internationally.

Crop Plant Root Module : NIR Imaging of Soil Moisture

Corn plant was grown in a transparent 8 cm polyacryl column.	Results of NIR monitoring allow measurement of spatial distribution water content in soil. Total development of drying over time.
We have rhizo box imaging time lapse root imaging at the HRPPC plus both TPA and the HRPPC have NIR imaging of water in soil columns and roots in transparent pots (above). Also applicable to arabidopsis and root mutants. Outputs standard image files and stitched images (semi tomographic).

Access to World Class Plant MRI via Collaboration

NMR-imaging of root structure in soil.	NMR-imaging can distinguish fibre and estimate fibre volume in an intact boll on the plant over time.