[O44] Root Genetics and Breeding

[O44-04] Non-Destructive Method for Sampling, Preserving, and Analyzing Soil-Grown Root Systems

^○Takuya Koyama^1,2, Shun Murakami², Masaaki Hashimoto¹, Katsuhiko Yoshidome³, Yusuke Arakawa³, Toshihiko Karasawa⁴ (1.School of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University, Japan, 2.Graduate School of Regional Development and Creativity, Utsunomiya University, Japan, 3.Kyushu Okinawa Agricultural Research Center, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Japan, 4.Central Region Agricultural Research Center, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Japan)

The root box-pin board method has been used for sampling and preserving the whole root system with minimum impairment and disturbance to its structure. This method requires a root box with one removable front wall, a pin board, and a folio of transparent sheet with many holes. The whole root system was detached from the pin board by the sheet with many holes and preserved between the sheet, but preparation of the sheet was tedious and time-consuming. In the process of root sampling, quick and accurate alignment of the pin board and the root box was difficult. Furthermore, imaging root system between the sheet required root staining. Thereby, we devised the root sampling equipment and improved the image acquisition and analysis processes. A work table with guide bars facilitated the fast and accurate alignment of the pieces of equipment. An urethane foam sheet, a grid frame, and a grid pressing plate made unnecessary the preparation of the transparent sheet with many holes. A scanner for A3 size with transparency unit and the image analyzing software 'WinRhizo' offered the precise evaluation of root surface area without root staining. These improvements allow easy sampling, preservation, and analysis of the whole root system, which contribute to develop resource-efficient crops and/or cultivation systems.