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- Title
Computed tomography scanning for three-dimensional imaging and complexity analysis of developing root systems.
- Authors
Lontoc-Roy, Melinda; Dutilleul, Pierre; Prasher, Shiv O.; Han, Liwen; Smith, Donald L.
- Abstract
To improve our understanding of the role of root systems in soil-based resource acquisition by plants and eventually model it completely, root system complexity must be quantified, in addition to other morphometric traits. In this note, we introduce a new approach in which computed tomography (CT) scan data are collected on crop root systems in three-dimensional (3-D) space nondestructively and noninvasively, thus allowing for repeated measurements and a relevant complexity analysis of root systems. The experimental crop is maize (Zea mays L.). Four potted seedlings were CT scanned under wet soil conditions on the day of emergence, and each of the two following days. Specifically, a high-resolution X-ray CT scanner formerly used for medical purposes produced 3 × 500 CT images of 0.1 mm thick cross-sections for each seedling. The fractal dimension of each root system on each day was estimated on a skeletonized 3-D image reconstructed from CT scan data. We found that the mean fractal dimension value was not significantly greater than 1 on day 1 (1.015 0.015), contrary to days 2 and 3 (1.037 0.015, 1.065 0.016). Our results, including original 3-D images, provide support for a novel type of root system studies based on the collection and advanced analysis of CT scan data.
- Subjects
PLANT roots; TOMOGRAPHY; PLANT-soil relationships; THREE-dimensional imaging in biology; SOIL science; CORN seed testing; CROPS &; soils; CROP development; ROOT development
- Publication
Canadian Journal of Botany, 2005, Vol 83, Issue 11, p1434
- ISSN
0008-4026
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1139/b05-118