Semi-automated segmentation and visualization of complex undisturbed root systems with X-ray μCT

Ondertitel:Semi-automated segmentation and visualization of complex undisturbed root systems with X-ray mu CT

Increasing interest in plant-root phenotyping has stimulated the development of X-ray mu CT-based root/soil segmentation protocols. However, most scanning and CT volume processing protocols were only applied for detection of simple and small juvenile roots. We tested a new methodology for its ability to extract large mature maize roots from X-ray mu CT volumes of undisturbed soil monoliths (10 x 20 x 15 cm) and compared its performance with two existing (semi-)automated segmentation algorithms. The X-ray mu CT based root assessments were validated by means of the measured root biomass. Segmentation of maize root systems proved to be particularly challenging because regardless of soil type, within-sample vertical gradients in X-ray attenuation caused an overlap in CT-reconstructed grey values of roots, water and mineral phases. However, in contrast to the two existing algorithms, a new alternative methodology did allow for relatively fast and accurate segmentation of the mature roots. This was evidenced by a highly significant correlation between the CT-derived root volume and its measured root biomass. Despite the large size of the investigated soil monoliths, roots could be resolved down to a diameter of 200 mu m. This methodology opens up new possibilities for investigating large and complex root systems, and may become an invaluable new tool in plant breeding research.

Jaar van publicatie:2019

BOF-keylabel:ja

IOF-keylabel:ja

BOF-publication weight:6

Auteurs:National

Authors from:Higher Education

Toegankelijkheid:Closed