Image analysis techniques to characterise white clover root morphology

Abstract

The use of low-ionic-strength hydroponic culture and image analysis techniques to discriminate and isolate morphologically distinct, genetically differentiated root types within white clover is described. Advantages of this method include the ability to view the genetic expression of the root systems without the modifying effects of growth in soil, to examine the growth and structure of roots over time, and to store the images for further examination. It is recognised that although the root systems grow in three dimensions, they are constrained to two dimensions by the flatbed scanner. However, the morphological parameters determined by image analysis would not be altered whether this analysis was measured in two or three dimensions. Keywords: image analysis, root morphology, solution culture, Trifolium repens