RhizoTubes as a new tool for high throughput imaging of plant root development and architecture: test, comparison with pot grown plants and validation.
BACKGROUND
In order to maintain high yields while saving water and preserving non-renewable resources and thus limiting the use of chemical fertilizer, it is crucial to select plants with more efficient root systems. This could be achieved through an optimization of both root architecture and root uptake ability and/or through the improvement of positive plant interactions with microorganisms in the rhizosphere. The development of devices suitable for high-throughput phenotyping of root structures remains a major bottleneck.


RESULTS
Rhizotrons suitable for plant growth in controlled conditions and non-invasive image acquisition of plant shoot and root systems (RhizoTubes) are described. These RhizoTubes allow growing one to six plants simultaneously, having a maximum height of 1.1 m, up to 8 weeks, depending on plant species. Both shoot and root compartment can be imaged automatically and non-destructively throughout the experiment thanks to an imaging cabin (RhizoCab). RhizoCab contains robots and imaging equipment for obtaining high-resolution pictures of plant roots. Using this versatile experimental setup, we illustrate how some morphometric root traits can be determined for various species including model (Medicago truncatula), crops (Pisum sativum, Brassica napus, Vitis vinifera, Triticum aestivum) and weed (Vulpia myuros) species grown under non-limiting conditions or submitted to various abiotic and biotic constraints. The measurement of the root phenotypic traits using this system was compared to that obtained using "classic" growth conditions in pots.


CONCLUSIONS
This integrated system, to include 1200 Rhizotubes, will allow high-throughput phenotyping of plant shoots and roots under various abiotic and biotic environmental conditions. Our system allows an easy visualization or extraction of roots and measurement of root traits for high-throughput or kinetic analyses. The utility of this system for studying root system architecture will greatly facilitate the identification of genetic and environmental determinants of key root traits involved in crop responses to stresses, including interactions with soil microorganisms.
UMR 1347 Agroécologie AgroSup/INRA/uB, 17 Rue Sully, BP 86510, 21065 Dijon Cedex, France.
Christian
C
Jeudy
UMR 1347 Agroécologie AgroSup/INRA/uB, 17 Rue Sully, BP 86510, 21065 Dijon Cedex, France.
Marielle
M
Adrian
Inoviaflow, 210 avenue de Verdun, 39100 Dole, France.
Christophe
C
Baussard
UMR 1347 Agroécologie AgroSup/INRA/uB, 17 Rue Sully, BP 86510, 21065 Dijon Cedex, France.
Céline
C
Bernard
UMR 1347 Agroécologie AgroSup/INRA/uB, 17 Rue Sully, BP 86510, 21065 Dijon Cedex, France.
Eric
E
Bernaud
UMR 1347 Agroécologie AgroSup/INRA/uB, 17 Rue Sully, BP 86510, 21065 Dijon Cedex, France.
Virginie
V
Bourion
UMR 1347 Agroécologie AgroSup/INRA/uB, 17 Rue Sully, BP 86510, 21065 Dijon Cedex, France.
Hughes
H
Busset
INRA, UMR759 LEPSE, 2 Place Pierre Viala, 34060 Montpellier, France.
Llorenç
L
Cabrera-Bosquet
UMR 1347 Agroécologie AgroSup/INRA/uB, 17 Rue Sully, BP 86510, 21065 Dijon Cedex, France.
Frédéric
F
Cointault
UMR 1347 Agroécologie AgroSup/INRA/uB, 17 Rue Sully, BP 86510, 21065 Dijon Cedex, France.
Simeng
S
Han
UMR 1347 Agroécologie AgroSup/INRA/uB, 17 Rue Sully, BP 86510, 21065 Dijon Cedex, France.
Mickael
M
Lamboeuf
UMR 1347 Agroécologie AgroSup/INRA/uB, 17 Rue Sully, BP 86510, 21065 Dijon Cedex, France.
Delphine
D
Moreau
UMR 1347 Agroécologie AgroSup/INRA/uB, 17 Rue Sully, BP 86510, 21065 Dijon Cedex, France.
Barbara
B
Pivato
UMR 1347 Agroécologie AgroSup/INRA/uB, 17 Rue Sully, BP 86510, 21065 Dijon Cedex, France.
Marion
M
Prudent
UMR 1347 Agroécologie AgroSup/INRA/uB, 17 Rue Sully, BP 86510, 21065 Dijon Cedex, France.
Sophie
S
Trouvelot
UMR 1347 Agroécologie AgroSup/INRA/uB, 17 Rue Sully, BP 86510, 21065 Dijon Cedex, France.
Hoai Nam
HN
Truong
UMR 1347 Agroécologie AgroSup/INRA/uB, 17 Rue Sully, BP 86510, 21065 Dijon Cedex, France.
Vanessa
V
Vernoud
UMR 1347 Agroécologie AgroSup/INRA/uB, 17 Rue Sully, BP 86510, 21065 Dijon Cedex, France.
Anne-Sophie
AS
Voisin
UMR 1347 Agroécologie AgroSup/INRA/uB, 17 Rue Sully, BP 86510, 21065 Dijon Cedex, France.
Daniel
D
Wipf
UMR 1347 Agroécologie AgroSup/INRA/uB, 17 Rue Sully, BP 86510, 21065 Dijon Cedex, France.
Christophe
C
Salon
Drought; Growth; High-throughput; Image acquisition; Nitrogen availability; Phenotyping; Plant roots; Plant–microorganism interactions; RhizoCab; RhizoTubes