title: Root system markup language: toward a unified root architecture description language.
abstract: The number of image analysis tools supporting the extraction of architectural features of root systems has increased in recent years. These tools offer a handy set of complementary facilities, yet it is widely accepted that none of these software tools is able to extract in an efficient way the growing array of static and dynamic features for different types of images and species. We describe the Root System Markup Language (RSML), which has been designed to overcome two major challenges: (1) to enable portability of root architecture data between different software tools in an easy and interoperable manner, allowing seamless collaborative work; and (2) to provide a standard format upon which to base central repositories that will soon arise following the expanding worldwide root phenotyping effort. RSML follows the XML standard to store two- or three-dimensional image metadata, plant and root properties and geometries, continuous functions along individual root paths, and a suite of annotations at the image, plant, or root scale at one or several time points. Plant ontologies are used to describe botanical entities that are relevant at the scale of root system architecture. An XML schema describes the features and constraints of RSML, and open-source packages have been developed in several languages (R, Excel, Java, Python, and C#) to enable researchers to integrate RSML files into popular research workflow.
authors.affiliation: PhytoSYSTEMS, Université de Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium (G.L.);Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, United Kingdom (M.P.P.);Virtual Plants, Inria, Cirad, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, 34095 Montpellier, France (J.D., C.P., C.G.);Institut de Biologie Computationnelle, F-34095 Montpellier, France (C.P.);Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium (X.D., M.J., F.M.);Institut für Bio- und Geowissenschaften: Agrosphäre, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Julich, Germany (M.J., A.S.);Computational Science Center, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.L.);Biochemistry and Plant Molecular Physiology, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5004 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique/SupAgro-M/UM2, Institut de Biologie Intégrative des Plantes, 34060 Montpellier cedex 1, France (P.N.); andSchool of Computer Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG8 1BB, United Kingdom (T.P.P.).
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5883-4572
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lobet
authors.affiliation: PhytoSYSTEMS, Université de Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium (G.L.);Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, United Kingdom (M.P.P.);Virtual Plants, Inria, Cirad, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, 34095 Montpellier, France (J.D., C.P., C.G.);Institut de Biologie Computationnelle, F-34095 Montpellier, France (C.P.);Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium (X.D., M.J., F.M.);Institut für Bio- und Geowissenschaften: Agrosphäre, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Julich, Germany (M.J., A.S.);Computational Science Center, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.L.);Biochemistry and Plant Molecular Physiology, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5004 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique/SupAgro-M/UM2, Institut de Biologie Intégrative des Plantes, 34060 Montpellier cedex 1, France (P.N.); andSchool of Computer Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG8 1BB, United Kingdom (T.P.P.).
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Pound
authors.affiliation: PhytoSYSTEMS, Université de Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium (G.L.);Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, United Kingdom (M.P.P.);Virtual Plants, Inria, Cirad, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, 34095 Montpellier, France (J.D., C.P., C.G.);Institut de Biologie Computationnelle, F-34095 Montpellier, France (C.P.);Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium (X.D., M.J., F.M.);Institut für Bio- und Geowissenschaften: Agrosphäre, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Julich, Germany (M.J., A.S.);Computational Science Center, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.L.);Biochemistry and Plant Molecular Physiology, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5004 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique/SupAgro-M/UM2, Institut de Biologie Intégrative des Plantes, 34060 Montpellier cedex 1, France (P.N.); andSchool of Computer Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG8 1BB, United Kingdom (T.P.P.).
authors.forename: Julien
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8214-6411
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Diener
authors.affiliation: PhytoSYSTEMS, Université de Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium (G.L.);Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, United Kingdom (M.P.P.);Virtual Plants, Inria, Cirad, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, 34095 Montpellier, France (J.D., C.P., C.G.);Institut de Biologie Computationnelle, F-34095 Montpellier, France (C.P.);Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium (X.D., M.J., F.M.);Institut für Bio- und Geowissenschaften: Agrosphäre, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Julich, Germany (M.J., A.S.);Computational Science Center, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.L.);Biochemistry and Plant Molecular Physiology, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5004 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique/SupAgro-M/UM2, Institut de Biologie Intégrative des Plantes, 34060 Montpellier cedex 1, France (P.N.); andSchool of Computer Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG8 1BB, United Kingdom (T.P.P.).
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pradal
authors.affiliation: PhytoSYSTEMS, Université de Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium (G.L.);Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, United Kingdom (M.P.P.);Virtual Plants, Inria, Cirad, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, 34095 Montpellier, France (J.D., C.P., C.G.);Institut de Biologie Computationnelle, F-34095 Montpellier, France (C.P.);Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium (X.D., M.J., F.M.);Institut für Bio- und Geowissenschaften: Agrosphäre, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Julich, Germany (M.J., A.S.);Computational Science Center, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.L.);Biochemistry and Plant Molecular Physiology, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5004 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique/SupAgro-M/UM2, Institut de Biologie Intégrative des Plantes, 34060 Montpellier cedex 1, France (P.N.); andSchool of Computer Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG8 1BB, United Kingdom (T.P.P.) xavier.draye@uclouvain.be.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Draye
authors.affiliation: PhytoSYSTEMS, Université de Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium (G.L.);Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, United Kingdom (M.P.P.);Virtual Plants, Inria, Cirad, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, 34095 Montpellier, France (J.D., C.P., C.G.);Institut de Biologie Computationnelle, F-34095 Montpellier, France (C.P.);Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium (X.D., M.J., F.M.);Institut für Bio- und Geowissenschaften: Agrosphäre, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Julich, Germany (M.J., A.S.);Computational Science Center, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.L.);Biochemistry and Plant Molecular Physiology, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5004 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique/SupAgro-M/UM2, Institut de Biologie Intégrative des Plantes, 34060 Montpellier cedex 1, France (P.N.); andSchool of Computer Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG8 1BB, United Kingdom (T.P.P.).
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Godin
authors.affiliation: PhytoSYSTEMS, Université de Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium (G.L.);Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, United Kingdom (M.P.P.);Virtual Plants, Inria, Cirad, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, 34095 Montpellier, France (J.D., C.P., C.G.);Institut de Biologie Computationnelle, F-34095 Montpellier, France (C.P.);Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium (X.D., M.J., F.M.);Institut für Bio- und Geowissenschaften: Agrosphäre, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Julich, Germany (M.J., A.S.);Computational Science Center, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.L.);Biochemistry and Plant Molecular Physiology, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5004 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique/SupAgro-M/UM2, Institut de Biologie Intégrative des Plantes, 34060 Montpellier cedex 1, France (P.N.); andSchool of Computer Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG8 1BB, United Kingdom (T.P.P.).
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6168-5467
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Javaux
authors.affiliation: PhytoSYSTEMS, Université de Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium (G.L.);Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, United Kingdom (M.P.P.);Virtual Plants, Inria, Cirad, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, 34095 Montpellier, France (J.D., C.P., C.G.);Institut de Biologie Computationnelle, F-34095 Montpellier, France (C.P.);Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium (X.D., M.J., F.M.);Institut für Bio- und Geowissenschaften: Agrosphäre, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Julich, Germany (M.J., A.S.);Computational Science Center, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.L.);Biochemistry and Plant Molecular Physiology, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5004 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique/SupAgro-M/UM2, Institut de Biologie Intégrative des Plantes, 34060 Montpellier cedex 1, France (P.N.); andSchool of Computer Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG8 1BB, United Kingdom (T.P.P.).
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leitner
authors.affiliation: PhytoSYSTEMS, Université de Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium (G.L.);Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, United Kingdom (M.P.P.);Virtual Plants, Inria, Cirad, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, 34095 Montpellier, France (J.D., C.P., C.G.);Institut de Biologie Computationnelle, F-34095 Montpellier, France (C.P.);Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium (X.D., M.J., F.M.);Institut für Bio- und Geowissenschaften: Agrosphäre, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Julich, Germany (M.J., A.S.);Computational Science Center, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.L.);Biochemistry and Plant Molecular Physiology, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5004 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique/SupAgro-M/UM2, Institut de Biologie Intégrative des Plantes, 34060 Montpellier cedex 1, France (P.N.); andSchool of Computer Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG8 1BB, United Kingdom (T.P.P.).
authors.forename: Félicien
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Meunier
authors.affiliation: PhytoSYSTEMS, Université de Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium (G.L.);Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, United Kingdom (M.P.P.);Virtual Plants, Inria, Cirad, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, 34095 Montpellier, France (J.D., C.P., C.G.);Institut de Biologie Computationnelle, F-34095 Montpellier, France (C.P.);Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium (X.D., M.J., F.M.);Institut für Bio- und Geowissenschaften: Agrosphäre, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Julich, Germany (M.J., A.S.);Computational Science Center, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.L.);Biochemistry and Plant Molecular Physiology, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5004 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique/SupAgro-M/UM2, Institut de Biologie Intégrative des Plantes, 34060 Montpellier cedex 1, France (P.N.); andSchool of Computer Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG8 1BB, United Kingdom (T.P.P.).
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7766-4989
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nacry
authors.affiliation: PhytoSYSTEMS, Université de Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium (G.L.);Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, United Kingdom (M.P.P.);Virtual Plants, Inria, Cirad, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, 34095 Montpellier, France (J.D., C.P., C.G.);Institut de Biologie Computationnelle, F-34095 Montpellier, France (C.P.);Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium (X.D., M.J., F.M.);Institut für Bio- und Geowissenschaften: Agrosphäre, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Julich, Germany (M.J., A.S.);Computational Science Center, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.L.);Biochemistry and Plant Molecular Physiology, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5004 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique/SupAgro-M/UM2, Institut de Biologie Intégrative des Plantes, 34060 Montpellier cedex 1, France (P.N.); andSchool of Computer Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG8 1BB, United Kingdom (T.P.P.).
authors.forename: Tony P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Pridmore
authors.affiliation: PhytoSYSTEMS, Université de Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium (G.L.);Centre for Plant Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, United Kingdom (M.P.P.);Virtual Plants, Inria, Cirad, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, 34095 Montpellier, France (J.D., C.P., C.G.);Institut de Biologie Computationnelle, F-34095 Montpellier, France (C.P.);Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium (X.D., M.J., F.M.);Institut für Bio- und Geowissenschaften: Agrosphäre, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Julich, Germany (M.J., A.S.);Computational Science Center, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria (D.L.);Biochemistry and Plant Molecular Physiology, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5004 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique/SupAgro-M/UM2, Institut de Biologie Intégrative des Plantes, 34060 Montpellier cedex 1, France (P.N.); andSchool of Computer Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG8 1BB, United Kingdom (T.P.P.).
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schnepf
mesh_terms: D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008954:Models, Biological; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D011381:Programming Languages; D012984:Software; D057188:Workflow