A rapid quantitative measurement of root length and root branching by microcomputer image analysis

A computer program was made for fast and reliable measurement of root length and for estimating the number of root tips and branching points. Image-processing procedures available in a program package for image analysis by means of a personal computer were used. The method is described in this paper and some results of tests on variance and systematic errors (bias) are discussed.Time required for analysis of an evenly spread root (sub-)sample with a total length of max. 300 cm was reduced to less than 20 seconds. Random deviations from the real length, determined by measuring known lengths of wire, did not exceed 5%, after correction for length density dependent bias. Counts of root tips appeared to be unreliable, but branching ratios could be determined fairly accurately, after correction for the length density dependent number of pseudo-branches (e.g. crossings). Rhizotron root photographs were also analysed satisfactorily, after modification of a few steps in the program.