Methods for measuring root traits in the field
Problem: Root systems, along with their interactions with soil conditions and micro-organisms, are crucial for crop performance, mainly through the efficient capture of water and nutrients. These root traits significantly enhance crop resilience against climate change. However, measuring root systems is more labor-intensive compared to the above-ground parts of plants.
Solution: Four methods – minirhizotron, soil pit, soil coring and shovelomics (figure 1) – were evaluated to assess their capacity to measure root traits in different crops and their accessibility (table 1).
Benefits: All four methods have advantages. The minirhizotron, soil pit, and soil coring methods can measure roots to depths of 1 m or more. Shovelomics, while limited to measuring surface roots in the top 20 cm, is a much faster method.
For more information, please see: https://zenodo.org/records/13683049
Root phenotyping and genetic improvement for rotational crops resilient to environmental change
Ongoing | 2022-2027
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- France, Slovenia, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Morocco, South Africa