A Simple Method to Measure Key Parameters of Soil-root Structure Using Medical X-ray Tomography Scanning Technique

Document Type : Original Article

Abstract

ROOTS have an extreme impact on soil properties and parameters are essential toward successful crop management. The study aims at modifying simple and quick method to identify key parameters of root structure by using medical X-ray CT (X-ray computed tomography) scanning technique and assesses its potentials.The results reveal that the modified simple procedures made it possible to isolate the root from the soil and partially overcome the problem of partial volume effect, and the main taproot was shown located at 0 to 30 mm depth.This procedure presented appropriate technique for segmenting large amounts of data. The modified method reduced the duration of the experiment and the risk of sample disturbance compared with the conventional methods to derive the architecture and the functional imaging. Results of plant growth parameters were closely related to the morphological parameters measured using the medical X-ray CT techniques.This approach enabledobservingroot growth manner and how individual roots overcome obstacles on their way. The technique modification shows great potential to provide new fundamental insights into soil-plant interactions and increase understanding of soil plant relationship.

Keywords