scholarly journals A Scanner-based Root Image Acquisition Technique for Measuring Roots on a Rhizotron Window

HortScience ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 1385-1388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shufu Dong ◽  
Denise Neilsen ◽  
Gerry H. Neilsen ◽  
Michael Weis

A simple flatbed-scanner-based image acquisition system was developed for the measurement of `Gala'/M9 (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) apple tree root growth in rhizoboxes with a transparent acrylic sheet on one side. A tree was planted in the center of each rhizobox, and a modified flatbed scanner was periodically used to directly capture high-resolution digital images of roots growing against the transparent wall. Total root length in the images was either measured manually, or by computer mouse tracing, or automatically with a computer image analysis system. Correlations were made among the different measurements. High quality root images were obtained with the adapted scanner system. Significant linear relationships were found between manual and computer traced root length measurements (r = 0.99), traced and automatic measurements (r = 0.76) and manual and automatic measurements (r = 0.75). Apple roots appeared on the transparent wall 34 days after transplanting, and grew rapidly thereafter, reaching a maximum on the transparent wall 59 days after transplanting. Our results showed that the use of a flatbed scanner for the acquisition of root images combined with computer analysis is a promising technique to speed data acquisition in root growth investigations.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.B. Musaev ◽  
N.S. Priyatkin ◽  
M.V. Arkhipov ◽  
P.A. Shchukina ◽  
A.F. Bukharov ◽  
...  

Приведено описание разработанной авторами методики цифровой компьютерной морфометрии семян овощных культур на основе системы анализа изображений, состоящей из планшетного сканера и программного обеспечения для автоматических измерений. В основу метода положено представление о разнокачественности семян, обусловленной генетической неоднородностью самих семенных растений, используемых в промышленном семеноводстве. Физические свойства семян (их форма и линейные размеры) – основные параметры при определении их качества. Цифровые изображения семян получены при помощи планшетного сканера HP Sсanjet 200 на базе Агрофизического НИИ с использованием серийного программного обеспечения «Argus-BIO», производства ООО «АргусСофт» (г. Санкт-Петербург). Метод состоит из подбора контрастной подложки (фона) для сканирования семян с минимальными теневыми эффектами, калибровку программного обеспечения для привязки к истинным размерным величинам, подбор параметров измерений и автоматическое распознавание цифровых сканированных изображений семян. Представлены экспериментальные данные по морфометрии экологически разнокачественных семян фасоли овощной, матрикально разнокачественных семян укропа, пастернака и лука Кристофа. Семена укропа и пастернака, собранные из разных порядков ветвления семенного растения, значительно различались по величине линейных параметров. Наиболее показательный линейный параметр семян – площадь проекции. Предложенная авторами методика цифровой морфометрии, уже использована на практике и в перспективе может быть задействована в исследованиях экологической и матрикальной разнокачественности семян овощных культур. Так, она прошла апробацию на разнокачественных семенах пяти сортов фасоли овощной (Настена, Магура, Миробела, Морена, Бажена) полученных в пяти контрастных эколого-географических условиях среды (Москва, Белгород, Ставрополь, Омск, Горки) в 2011–2012 годах. В дальнейшем методика может быть использована для улучшения качества цифровых изображений семян, изучения разнокачественности семян в том числе и для совершенствования контроля за селекционным процессом. Кроме того, она применима для изучения взаимосвязи совокупности морфометрических характеристик семян и их посевных качеств.The description of the method of digital computer morphometry of vegetable seeds developed by the authors on the basis of the image analysis system consisting of a flatbed scanner and software for automatic measurements is given. The method is based on the idea of seed quality, due to the genetic heterogeneity of the seed plants used in industrial seed production. Physical properties of seeds (their shape and linear dimensions) are the main parameters in determining their quality. Digital image of the seed obtained using the flatbed scanner, HP Sсanjet 200 on the basis of the Agrophysical research Institute with serial software “Argus-BIO”, produced by LLC “Argussoft” (Saint-Petersburg). The method consists of selection of a contrast substrate (background) for scanning seeds with minimal shadow effects, calibration of software for binding to true size values, selection of measurement parameters and automatic recognition of digital scanned images of seeds. Experimental data on the morphometry of ecologically different-quality seeds of vegetable beans, matrix seeds of dill, Pasternak and Christoph onion are presented. Seeds of dill and parsnip, collected from different orders of branching of the seed plant, significantly differed in size of linear parameters. The most revealing linear parameter seed – area projection. The method of digital morphometry proposed by the authors has already been used in practice and in the future can be used in studies of ecological and matrix heterogeneity of vegetable seeds. So, it was tested on different quality seeds of five varieties of vegetable beans (Nastena, Magura, Mirobelа, Morena, Bazhenf) obtained in five contrasting environmental and geographical conditions (Moscow, Belgorod, Stavropol, Omsk, Gorki) in 2011-2012. In the future, the technique can be used to improve the quality of digital images of seeds, study of seed diversity, including to improve the control of the breeding process. In addition, it is applicable to study the relationship of the set of morphometric characteristics of seeds and their sowing qualities.


2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 319-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
David H. Suchoff ◽  
Christopher C. Gunter ◽  
Frank J. Louws

At its most basic, grafting is the replacement of one root system with another containing more desirable traits. Grafting of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) onto disease-resistant rootstocks is an increasingly popular alternative for managing economically damaging soilborne diseases. Although certain rootstocks have demonstrated ancillary benefits in the form of improved tolerance to edaphic abiotic stress, the mechanisms behind the enhanced stress tolerance are not well understood. Specific traits within root system morphology (RSM), in both field crops and vegetables, can improve growth in conditions under abiotic stress. A greenhouse study was conducted to compare the RSM of 17 commercially available tomato rootstocks and one commercial field cultivar (Florida-47). Plants were grown in containers filled with a mixture of clay-based soil conditioner and pool filter sand (2:1 v/v) and harvested at 2, 3, or 4 weeks after emergence. At harvest, roots were cleaned, scanned, and analyzed with an image analysis system. Data collected included total root length (TRL), average root diameter, specific root length (SRL), and relative diameter class. The main effect of cultivar was significant (P ≤ 0.05) for all response variables and the main effect of harvest date was only significant (P ≤ 0.01) for TRL. ‘RST-106’ rootstock had the longest TRL, whereas ‘Beaufort’ had the shortest. ‘BHN-1088’ had the thickest average root diameter, which was 32% thicker than the thinnest, observed in ‘Beaufort’. SRL in ‘Beaufort’ was 60% larger than ‘BHN-1088’. This study demonstrated that gross differences exist in RSM of tomato rootstocks and that, when grown in a solid porous medium, these differences can be determined using an image analysis system.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 128-136
Author(s):  
Vanessa Schnaars ◽  
Marvin Dörries ◽  
Michael Hutchins ◽  
Lars Wöhlbrand ◽  
Ralf Rabus

The efficiency and reproducibility of two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D DIGE) depends on several crucial steps: (i) adequate number of replicate gels, (ii) accurate image acquisition, and (iii) statistically confident protein abundance analysis. The latter is inherently determined by the image analysis system. Available software solutions apply different strategies for consecutive image alignment and protein spot detection. While DeCyder<sup>TM</sup> performs spot detection on single gels prior to the alignment of spot maps, SameSpots<sup>TM</sup> completes image alignment in advance of spot detection. In this study, the performances of DeCyder<sup>TM</sup> and SameSpots<sup>TM</sup> were compared considering all protein spots detected in 2D DIGE resolved proteomes of three different environmental bacteria with minimal user interference. Proteome map-based analysis by SameSpots<sup>TM</sup> allows for fast and reproducible abundance change determination, avoiding time-consuming, manual spot matching. The different raw spot volumes, determined by the two software solutions, did not affect calculated abundance changes. Due to a slight factorial difference, minor abundance changes were very similar, while larger differences in the case of major abundance changes did not impact biological interpretation in the studied cases. Overall, affordable fluorescent dyes in combination with fast CCD camera-based image acquisition and user-friendly image analysis still qualify 2D DIGE as a valuable tool for quantitative proteomics.


Author(s):  
A. V. Crewe ◽  
M. Ohtsuki

We have assembled an image processing system for use with our high resolution STEM for the particular purpose of working with low dose images of biological specimens. The system is quite flexible, however, and can be used for a wide variety of images.The original images are stored on magnetic tape at the microscope using the digitized signals from the detectors. For low dose imaging, these are “first scan” exposures using an automatic montage system. One Nova minicomputer and one tape drive are dedicated to this task.The principal component of the image analysis system is a Lexidata 3400 frame store memory. This memory is arranged in a 640 x 512 x 16 bit configuration. Images are displayed simultaneously on two high resolution monitors, one color and one black and white. Interaction with the memory is obtained using a Nova 4 (32K) computer and a trackball and switch unit provided by Lexidata.The language used is BASIC and uses a variety of assembly language Calls, some provided by Lexidata, but the majority written by students (D. Kopf and N. Townes).


Author(s):  
D.S. DeMiglio

Much progress has been made in recent years towards the development of closed-loop foundry sand reclamation systems. However, virtually all work to date has determined the effectiveness of these systems to remove surface clay and metal oxide scales by a qualitative inspection of a representative sampling of sand particles. In this investigation, particles from a series of foundry sands were sized and chemically classified by a Lemont image analysis system (which was interfaced with an SEM and an X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer) in order to statistically document the effectiveness of a reclamation system developed by The Pangborn Company - a subsidiary of SOHIO.The following samples were submitted: unreclaimed sand; calcined sand; calcined & mechanically scrubbed sand and unused sand. Prior to analysis, each sample was sprinkled onto a carbon mount and coated with an evaporated film of carbon. A backscattered electron photomicrograph of a field of scale-covered particles is shown in Figure 1. Due to a large atomic number difference between sand particles and the carbon mount, the backscattered electron signal was used for image analysis since it had a uniform contrast over the shape of each particle.


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