Below-ground phenotyping

Phenotyping plant root structure and development is supported with a range of infrastructure including rhizoboxes, a sophisticated rhizolysimeter and X-ray CT scanning. 

APPN has a range of capabilities for phenotyping the root structure of living plants non-invasively and non-destructively, enabling temporal study of root development. These include: 

Rhizoboxes – Australian National University Node, Canberra 

Rhizoboxes are thin growth containers with transparent sides to allow imaging of root systems. Plants are grown and studied in the rhizoboxes, which are housed within a controlled environment growth chamber.  

Rhizolysimeter – Charles Sturt University Node, Wagga Wagga 

The rhizolysimeter is a significant piece of research infrastructure comprising enclosed soil cores with removable rain and shade cover, which can be access via a below-ground chamber. Soil traits (moisture, nutrients, pH, etc), soil biology and plant root structure can be assessed at a range depths to a maximum of 3m below the surface. 

X-ray CT scanner – University of Adelaide Node, The Plant Accelerator®, Adelaide  

The X-ray CT scanner at The Plant Accelerator® is part of a unique high-throughput, automated, plant-to-scanner installation available to phenotype above and below-ground parts of plants. It is ideal for 3D and microscopic imaging of non-visible structures such as root systems, and can be used for sophisticated, temporal analysis of plant development. The system is adjacent to controlled environment rooms at The Plant Accelerator® and can be used for non-invasive imaging of plant structures (including whole plants, roots, stems and leaves, grain spikelets, seed pods, etc.)