For checking root phenotype, is it must to grow rice plants hydroponically, I know for abiotic stress we do need to grow them hydroponically, is the same for root study too? Can't we grow them in soil in pots as usual and then take out the plant with entire soil by inverting the pots and wash away the soil to study root phenotype. Hydroponics seem to have own set of problems, like: maintaining pH, correct nutrient formula and concentration, changing the nutrients in regular interval, root hypoxia and a few others. What is a good and easy way to study root phenotype in rice? Thanks!
Hi Sachin,
One of your options for non-destructive measurements is to use a minirhizotron system. We engineer and manufacture the CI-600 In-Situ Root Imager which has been used for rice research in both soil and hydroponic growth conditions.
Here is a very recent publication on rice using our system for rice planted in pots: http://www.cid-inc.com/news/webinars/item/190-overcoming-the-challenges-of-below-ground-fine-root-research
This is one way to study root architecture and phenotype.
I hope that's helpful- feel free to email me if you would like more information. Good luck with your study!
Best, Andrea
http://cid-inc.com/products/root-imaging/in-situ-root-imager
Hydroponically experiment will also be good for root studies but now a days there are different types of scanner are available through which you can easily measure different parameters.
Dear Sachin,
As Dr Andrea Melnychenko mentions there are options. It is important to decide what is required beforehand from such phenotyping. If one needs a phenotype for drought response then it is ideal to grow them under drought to capture the facultative response too. Thus soil medium can be appropriate. But maintaining homogeneity while filling the container becomes important and difficult. Lot more care is required in this and watering phases. It is also important to select the containers that may require to be about 0.75M deep for rice.
Good luck
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