© 1987 Heron Publishing—Victoria, Canada
A semi-automated data processing system for root growth analysis: application to a growing oak seedling
M. Belgrand (1), E. Dreyer (2), H. Joannes (3), C. Velter (1) and I. Scuiller (2)
1. Station d’Etude des Sols Forestiers, CRF-INRA, Champenoux, F-54280 Seichamps, France / 2. Laboratoire de Bioclimatologie et Ecophysiologie des arbres forestiers, Station de Sylviculture et Production, CRF-INRA, Champenoux,
F-54280 Seichamps, France / 3. Station de Biométrie, CRF-INRA, Champenoux, F-54280 Seichamps, France / Received March 12, 1987
Summary
A data acquisition and processing system for analyzing root structure and growth is presented. Two-dimensional drawings are
made of root systems growing against the inclined, transparent wall of a rhizotron. For analysis, a root is treated as a number
of straight segments between points determined by the position of root apices at successive times of observation and the insertion
points of lateral roots. The coordinates of the points are digitized by means of a graphics tablet and the description of
the root system completed with information about root branching pattern and root order. From the recorded data, various root
characteristics and growth parameters can be computed with a program available from the authors. Use of the data processing
system in studies of root architecture is discussed and its application in the analysis of root growth of a pedunculate oak
seedling (Quercus robur L.) reported.
