Using clear plastic CD cases as low-cost mini-rhizotrons to phenotype root traits.

Abstract

Premise We developed a novel low-cost method to visually phenotype belowground structures in the plant rhizosphere. We devised the method introduced here to address the difficulties encountered growing plants in seed germination pouches for long-term experiments and the high cost of other mini-rhizotron alternatives. Methods and results The method described here took inspiration from homemade ant farms commonly used as an educational tool in elementary schools. Using compact disc (CD) cases, we developed mini-rhizotrons for use in the field and laboratory using the burclover Medicago lupulina . Conclusions Our method combines the benefits of pots and germination pouches. In CD mini-rhizotrons, plants grew significantly larger than in germination pouches, and unlike pots, it is possible to measure roots without destructive sampling. Our protocol is a cheaper, widely available alternative to more destructive methods, which could facilitate the study of belowground phenotypes and processes by scientists with fewer resources.

Plant phenotyping relevance

植物根系表現型を非破壊的に観察・測定する低コスト mini-rhizotron 法の開発が研究の中心であるため、収載対象。

Code and data availability

The paper's DATA AVAILABILITY statement deposits the root-phenotyping measurement data and the authors' R analysis scripts on Figshare. The analysis code DOI (10.6084/m9.figshare.12021084) matches an allowed URL; the data DOI (12021075) does not appear verbatim in the allowed URL list, so only the analysis asset is aud