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DOI 10.1007/s11104-008-9834-7
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Title (Primary) Neutron radiography as a tool for revealing root development in soil: capabilities and limitations
Author Moradi, A.B.; Conesa, H.M.; Robinson, B.; Lehmann, E.; Kuehne, G.; Kaestner, A.; Oswald, S.E.; Schulin, R.
Source Titel Plant and Soil
Year 2009
Department HDG
Volume 318
Issue 1-2
Page From 243
Page To 255
Language englisch
Keywords Neutron radiography; Neutron attenuation coefficient; Neutron scattering; Plant roots; Soil water content; X-ray radiography
Abstract Neutron Radiography (NR) is a valuable non-invasive tool to study in situ root development in soil. However, there is a lacuna of quantitative information on its capabilities and limitations. We combined neutron radiography with image analysis techniques to quantify the neutron absorption coefficients (S) of various root-growth media for a range of water contents (?) in the presence and absence of plant roots with various rooting systems. Plants were grown in aluminium containers (170?×?150?×?12 mm) and were imaged using NR, as well as X-Ray radiography and an optical scanner. Sandy soil was the best medium for NR because it supported plant growth at ? that gave a good contrast for root visualisation. After correction for neutron scattering, we obtained a linear correlation between S and soil ?. The minimum detectable root thickness in neutron radiographs was found to be 0.2 mm in these containers. Combining NR with X-Ray radiography could provide information on soil structure in addition to revealing root structure and development.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=414
Moradi, A.B., Conesa, H.M., Robinson, B., Lehmann, E., Kuehne, G., Kaestner, A., Oswald, S.E., Schulin, R. (2009):
Neutron radiography as a tool for revealing root development in soil: capabilities and limitations
Plant Soil 318 (1-2), 243 - 255 10.1007/s11104-008-9834-7