Root length, root biomass and types of root determine the nutrients absorption, tolerance to drought and lodging and ultimately optimum plant growth and productivity. Is there any simple field based procedure to grow maize plant in field and to determine total length and biomass of root? An efficient and simple protocol may help in screening maize germplasm for root parameters.
Hi Narendra,
You can grow your plant in field and before taking out the roots at what ever time period as per your experiment water the plant properly, then slowly slowly take out the roots and put it in a tray filled with water and then with help of brush try to take out soil as much as possible with 5-6 such washes.
After roots are clean dry it with tissue paper to take off extra water and then take its weight in a balance, that will be fresh weight.
Then in paper bag put roots (individually i.e. in one paper bag put one root), keep it in oven (80 degree Celsius) for at least 2 weeks. and then take its weight that will be dry weight.
Hope this will help you.
Hi Singh: I have worked on maize roots according to depth of planting. I got an idea to make a cylinder fixed to a rod to push into the soil surrounding the plant root after cutting off the plants at maturity. The diameter of the metal cylinder is related to spacing of planting,so it was 25 cm diameter and goes down into the soil for 50 cm. You can choose the depth you like to study on. Wish you luck.
@Medhat Elsahookie
It is good that you have refrence of maize. In fact, how deep maize root travels in soil and what is the optimum depth required to investigate to capture complete root length and root biomass. If possible, please provide a copy of publication on the topic preferably in maize.
Asmita Gupta Method you mentioned may be suitable for pot experiments but may not fit well in a field experiment. It is very difficult to take out all the roots by pulling plants slowly after watering since roots grow widely horizontally and vertically. Digging dip around the plant may probably help.
Asmita Gupta Asmita Gupta the method you detailed above may only work for greenhouse experiments and it may not work for field trials. would be glad if Medhat Elsahookie Medhat Elsahookie can share his published research article so that we can add to our knowledge on this topic Thanks
True.
Sorry I got confused. Thanks for correcting Narendra Kumar Singh and Opeyemi Saheed Kolawole .
Dear DrNarendra Kumar Singh,
greetings, you need explain in which stage, germination, seedling, or older
Khaled F M Salem Thank you Dr. Khaled F M Salem for putting the question in the right perspective. In fact, my concern is not only to measure the root biomass for academic interest but the ultimate aim is to use this information in understanding the role of root in abiotic stress tolerance and further to use the parameters in breeding maize lines with better root systems for improved tolerance to abiotic stresses. In maize, just before the flowering is considered to be the most critical stage, and therefore this stage seems to be the right choice for root analysis.
Dear Dr Narendra Kumar Singh,
Greetings, this stage is the most important one as its is the last stage in plant life. I have done the same stress in wheat after anthesis.
For estimating the root traits their is some software that could help in getting the data. So, try find it. Their is some free software .
with best regards
Khaled
Thank you Dr. Khaled F M Salem for the right suggestion. I shall try to accomplish the target.
There can be various methods, I think the information in the articles through following links can help you best, check it! Good luck!
1. https://academic.oup.com/aob/article/117/3/379/2195714
2. file:///C:/Users/hp/Downloads/Distributionofrootsandrootlengthdensityinamaizesoybeanstripintercropp1%20(3).pdf
Biomass by gravimetric method and root length by measuring with a tape
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Entomology
- Resistance