Plant and computer scientists can now study the underground world of plants with more accuracy and clarity. The revolutionary technique will improve our chances of breeding better crop varieties and increasing yields. (Credit: © NatUlrich / Fotolia)
Even without X-ray Micro Computed Tomography (Micro-CT) you can study plant roots by growing some plants in recycled soda bottle sub-irrigated planters (SIPs).
One of the dumbest things we do is to grow indoor houseplants in opaque containers like ever popular clay pots. Coupled with drench and drain watering they help to kill more plants than we can possibly count. The commercial greenhouse growers of houseplants love it.
Regardless of proven fact, our USDA Extension Program still preaches the drain hole mantra ad nauseum. When will these horticultural dinosaurs evolve or join the rest of the extinct dinosaurs?
Even if they do become extinct, are we educating enough young bioscientists and biotechnologists to take their place and help save the world from starvation? It is still an open question. Read the following. There is hope.
Plant and computer scientists can now study the underground world of plants with more accuracy and clarity. The revolutionary technique will improve our chances of breeding better crop varieties and increasing yields.
Developed at The University of Nottingham by a team of experts from the Schools of Biosciences and Computer Science, the new approach is based on the same X-ray technology used in hospital CT scans and incorporates new image analysis software which, for the first time, can automatically distinguish plant roots from the other materials found in soil. Read more...
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