Documenting Plant Root Growth
Objective: The purpose of this study was to conduct multiple surveys of the soil where we knew a plant was growing.
Methodology: A soil column was surveyed multiple times a week using both white and UV lights (365 nm), after planting a basil plant on top. The surveys were conducted through a borosilicate tube 56 mm outer diameter (OD) installed within the soil. The plant was watered twice a week, while an external light source was provided to the plant. The images from the Clear-Well instrument were calibrated to a grid of known dimensions photographed on a borosilicate tube of identical dimensions to those of the one located within the soil column. The resolution of the images was in the order of 10-20 microns.
Results: After ~2 weeks of monitoring the soil, a root finally appeared in our surveys! The following surveys documented rapid root growth. Also, we were able to document two clearly different root structures: a coarse primary structure (approximately 500 microns wide) was surrounded by fine, delicate secondary root structures (20-30 microns wide). The plant root grew approximately 2 cm per week.
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