Rhizobox for non-invasive observation of root dynamic growth under soil conditions and its application

In this study, a new type of rhizobox for non-invasively observing root growth under soil conditions is presented. Variations in tobacco seedling root growth were studied as an example of its application. The apparatus consisted of a growth chamber, a nutrient solution-supplying system and an image capture-analysis system. A camera was used to capture images of tobacco roots through a transparent pane during the course of the experiment and root parameters such as root number, root length, root width and root depth were analyzed by Image J software. In our experiment, the roots were observed to appear on the transparent panes of the growth chamber on the 10th day after transplanting (DAT), and the lateral roots appeared on the 24th DAT. Results indicated that tobacco roots had two growth peaks after transplanting. The maximal values of root growth rate were 54.58 cm/d and 185.69 cm/d, respectively.