I'll proceed by evaluating total length and surface area by scanned images. For measurements, I suggest to use winrhizo or any similar software. In this case the most important thing to think about is to use the appropiate acquisition parameters, I mean, to set a good resolution during scanning. Pixels of the aquired image should be smaller than root hairs diameter. Therefore, let me try to suggest you a good acquisition resolution. Making a quick research, it seems that hair root diameters range between 0,012 and 0,017 mm, so I suggest a resolution that will give a pixel dimension of 0,002 mm. Root hair diameters should be composed by 6-8 pixels, that is enough for winrhizo measurements. Resolution is measured in dpi, so in "dots/pixel per inch". A inch is 25,4 mm. We need pixels with a diameter of 0,002 mm, so in 25,4 mm we found 12700 pixels. That means 12700 dpi. It's a very high resolution, you need a good scanner and much space in your computer.

First, you can measure the fresh and dry weight of the root hair, and also the phosphorus status at shoot and root level. But before roots distruction, you also may use root hair volume. I don't know if there is a nomalized methode but I can suggest you to measure the volume in the lab by adding the whole root hair to a known volume of water in medium test tube that drain the excess to a graduated small test tube (precise one of course). The excess of water in the small test tube will indicate you the volume of root hair. It's non-disctructive methode, and you can proceed to chemical analysis after that.

Good luck and I hope it helps

Khalid AZIM

I have not done it yet,but I think you can use a scanner.It is also a non destructive method.Best wishes.

I'll proceed by evaluating total length and surface area by scanned images. For measurements, I suggest to use winrhizo or any similar software. In this case the most important thing to think about is to use the appropiate acquisition parameters, I mean, to set a good resolution during scanning. Pixels of the aquired image should be smaller than root hairs diameter. Therefore, let me try to suggest you a good acquisition resolution. Making a quick research, it seems that hair root diameters range between 0,012 and 0,017 mm, so I suggest a resolution that will give a pixel dimension of 0,002 mm. Root hair diameters should be composed by 6-8 pixels, that is enough for winrhizo measurements. Resolution is measured in dpi, so in "dots/pixel per inch". A inch is 25,4 mm. We need pixels with a diameter of 0,002 mm, so in 25,4 mm we found 12700 pixels. That means 12700 dpi. It's a very high resolution, you need a good scanner and much space in your computer.

Dear Elham,

I agree completly with Mattia's recommendation and I guess you could use the  "Delta-T Scan Image Analysis System" . I suggest you to access the websites following in order to have more details of the methods.

http://trade.indiamart.com/details.mp?offer=2212381755

http://www.plantstress.com/methods/Root%20Methods%20PORTAL/Root%20length%20method%20PSU.htm 

http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S0100-06832014000500001&script=sci_arttext

Good luck!

Regards,

Sérgio Ricardo

Thank you very much

I would use image analysis with winrhizo software.

Please see articles from here

books.irri.org/9789712202902_content.pdf

Please find enclosed an interesting article entitled Mycorrhiza alters the profile of root hairs in trifoliate orange,  for your use , hope , you find it useful.