High throughput phenotyping of cross-sectional morphology to assess stalk lodging resistance.

Abstract

Abstract Background Stalk lodging (mechanical failure of plant stems during windstorms) leads to global yield losses in cereal crops estimated to range from 5% to 25% annually. The cross-sectional morphology of plant stalks is a key determinant of stalk lodging resistance. However, previously developed techniques for quantifying cross-sectional morphology of plant stalks are relatively low-throughput, expensive and often require specialized equipment and expertise. There is need for a simple and cost-effective technique to quantify plant traits related to stalk lodging resistance in a high-throughput manner. Results A new phenotyping methodology was developed and applied to a range of plant samples including, maize ( Zea mays ), sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor ), wheat ( Triticum aestivum ), poison hemlock ( Conium maculatum ), and Arabidopsis (Arabis thaliana). The major diameter, minor diameter, rind thickness and number of vascular bundles were quantified for each of these plant types. Linear correlation analyses demonstrated strong agreement between the newly developed method and more time-consuming manual techniques (R 2 > 0.9). In addition, the new method was used to generate several specimen-specific finite element models of plant stalks. All the models compiled without issue and were successfully imported into finite element software for analysis. All the models demonstrated reasonable and stable solutions when subjected to realistic applied loads. Conclusions A rapid, low-cost, and user-friendly phenotyping methodology was developed to quantify two-dimensional plant cross-sections. The methodology offers reduced sample preparation time and cost as compared to previously developed techniques. The new methodology employs a stereoscope and a semi-automated image processing algorithm. The algorithm can be used to produce specimen-specific, dimensionally accurate computational models (including finite element models) of plant stalks.

Plant phenotyping relevance

植物茎の横断面形態を高スループットに定量する画像ベースの表現型計測法を開発し、手作業法との一致性検証と有限要素モデルへの応用を行っており、方法が研究の中心である。

Code and data availability

The paper's MATLAB image-processing algorithm (authors' analysis code) and sample cross-sectional images are publicly available as supplementary files (Additional files 2 and 3) attached to this open-access article, along with standard operating protocols (Additional file 1). These directly reproduce the paper's phenot