Root Methods : A Handbook

Why a New Handbook on Root Methods? Uptake of water and nutrients is a key process in agricultural and natural ecosystems. Plant roots play a vital role in the supply of resources for growth, and yet we have a relatively poor understanding of how they function in the natural soil environment. Dr. B6hm began the Preface of his standard text on root research methods (B6hm 1979) with the comment: "Root research under natural jield conditions is a step-child of science. The reason for this is primarily methodological. The known methods are tedious, time-consuming and the accuracy of their results is of ten not very great". Although improvements have been made recently for some methods, working on roots is stiH tedious and time-consuming. Compared to some other disci­ plines, a root researcher requires a considerable budget for his or her work. It is for this reason that in root research careful planning, the choice of appro­ priate methods and also a clear idea of which root characteristic should be observed in relation to the goal of the research question are fundamental. Con­ sequently, it is recommended to make use of "root experience" developed else­ where as much as possible. Front Matter....Pages I-XIV Root Characteristics: Why and What to Measure....Pages 1-32 Anatomy and Histology of Roots and Root-Soil Boundary....Pages 33-73 Control and Measurement of the Physical Environment in Root Growth Experiments....Pages 75-112 Modelling Root System Growth and Architecture....Pages 113-146 Sampling Strategies, Scaling, and Statistics....Pages 147-173 Auger Sampling, Ingrowth Cores and Pinboard Methods....Pages 175-210 Trench Profile Techniques and Core Break Methods....Pages 211-233 Root Observations and Measurements at (Transparent) Interfaces with Soil....Pages 235-271 The Measurement and Analysis of Fine Root Longevity....Pages 273-304 Root Image Analysis and Interpretation....Pages 305-341 Computer-Assisted Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging....Pages 343-363 Isotope Techniques....Pages 365-402 Assessing the Ability of Roots for Nutrient Acquisition....Pages 403-459 Water Uptake....Pages 461-507 Modelling Water and Nutrient Uptake....Pages 509-543 Plant Anchorage....Pages 545-565 Back Matter....Pages 567-587 This comprehensive review presents all modern methods for plant root research, both in the field and in the laboratory. It covers the effects of environmental interactions with root growth and function, and focuses in particular on the assessment of root distribution and dynamics. The processing of root observations, analysis and modelling of root growth and architecture, root-image analysis, computer-assisted tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, are described and discussed. Furthermore, a survey of the application of isotope techniques in root physiology is given A comprehensive review of all modern methods for plant root research, both in the field and in the laboratory. It also describes and discusses the processing of root observations, analysis and modelling of root growth and architecture, root-image analysis, computer-assisted tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.