We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Transparent soil for imaging the rhizosphere.
- Authors
Downie, Helen; Holden, Nicola; Otten, Wilfred; Spiers, Andrew J; Valentine, Tracy A; Dupuy, Lionel X
- Abstract
Understanding of soil processes is essential for addressing the global issues of food security, disease transmission and climate change. However, techniques for observing soil biology are lacking. We present a heterogeneous, porous, transparent substrate for in situ 3D imaging of living plants and root-associated microorganisms using particles of the transparent polymer, Nafion, and a solution with matching optical properties. Minerals and fluorescent dyes were adsorbed onto the Nafion particles for nutrient supply and imaging of pore size and geometry. Plant growth in transparent soil was similar to that in soil. We imaged colonization of lettuce roots by the human bacterial pathogen Escherichia coli O157:H7 showing micro-colony development. Micro-colonies may contribute to bacterial survival in soil. Transparent soil has applications in root biology, crop genetics and soil microbiology.
- Publication
PloS one, 2012, Vol 7, Issue 9, pe44276
- ISSN
1932-6203
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0044276