Shi Rongli, Junker Astrid, Seiler Christiane, Altmann Thomas
Department of Molecular Genetics, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) Gatersleben, 06466 Seeland, Germany.
Funct Plant Biol. 2018 Mar;45(4):400-411. doi: 10.1071/FP17262.
Root systems architecture (RSA) and size properties are essential determinants of plant performance and need to be assessed in high-throughput plant phenotyping platforms. Thus, we tested a concept that involves near-infrared (NIR) imaging of roots growing along surfaces of transparent culture vessels using special long pass filters to block their exposure to visible light. Two setups were used to monitor growth of Arabidopsis, rapeseed, barley and maize roots upon exposure to white light, filter-transmitted radiation or darkness: root growth direction was analysed (1) through short-term cultivation on agar plates, and (2) using soil-filled transparent pots to monitor long-term responses. White light-triggered phototropic responses were detected for Arabidopsis in setup 1, and for rapeseed, barley and maize roots in setups 1 and 2, whereas light effects could be avoided by use of the NIR filter thus confirming its suitability to mimic darkness. NIR image-derived 'root volume' values correlated well with root dry weight. The root system fractions visible at the different pot sides and in different zones revealed species- and genotype-dependent variation of spatial root distribution and other RSA traits. Following this validated concept, root imaging setups may be integrated into shoot phenotyping facilities in order to enable root system analysis in the context of whole-plant performance investigations.
根系结构（RSA）和大小特性是植物生长性能的重要决定因素，需要在高通量植物表型分析平台上进行评估。因此，我们测试了一种概念，该概念涉及使用特殊的长波通滤光片对沿透明培养容器表面生长的根系进行近红外（NIR）成像，以阻止其暴露于可见光。使用两种设置来监测拟南芥、油菜、大麦和玉米根系在白光、滤光片透射辐射或黑暗条件下的生长：通过（1）在琼脂平板上短期培养，以及（2）使用装满土壤的透明花盆来监测长期反应，分析根系生长方向。在设置1中检测到拟南芥的白光触发的向光反应，在设置1和2中检测到油菜、大麦和玉米根系的光反应，而使用近红外滤光片可以避免光效应，从而证实了其模拟黑暗的适用性。近红外图像得出的“根体积”值与根干重相关性良好。在不同花盆侧面和不同区域可见的根系部分揭示了空间根系分布和其他根系结构性状的物种和基因型依赖性变异。遵循这一经过验证的概念，根系成像设置可整合到地上部分表型分析设施中，以便在全株性能研究的背景下进行根系系统分析。
