Non-destructive analysis of root growth in porous media |
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| Authors: | D. C. GORDON,D. R. P. HETTIARATCHI,&dagger ,A. G. BENGOUGH,I. M. YOUNG |
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| Affiliation: | Soil-Plant Dynamics Group, Cellular and Environmental Physiology Department, Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA;Soil-Plant Dynamics Group, Cellular and Environmental Physiology Department, Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, and †Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NEI 7RU, UK |
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| Abstract: | A technique is described for non-destructive observations and analysis of root growth in granular media, using time-lapse video in conjunction with a pressure cell. The pressure cell consists of one half of a traditional triaxial cell with a flat clear perspex front allowing growth of the root to be monitored using a video camera. The cell is connected to an external pressure supply, which is used to regulate precisely the confining pressure, and hence, the physical impedance to root growth. Preliminary results of the growth of root axes and the emergence of laterals of peas over a range of physical impedances are presented to illustrate the potential of this technique in studying root growth. |
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| Keywords: | Pisum sativum root growth physical impedance video images ballotini pressure cell infra-red |
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