Quantification of plant root architecture: development of an integrated experiment-to-model pipeline

Details

Supervisors

Lobet, Guillaume

Faculty

Faculté des bioingénieurs

Degree label

Master [120] : bioingénieur en sciences agronomiques, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

Root system architecture is vital for plant growth and stress resistance but challenging to study due to soil development and root fragility. This research aims to enhance data acquisition methods for better modeling. Protocols were established to streamline experiments, and two root analysis tools were introduced: SmartRoot (semi-automated) and RhizoVision (fully automated). These tools provide data on root characteristics, which are analyzed using the ArchiSimple model. ArchiSimple, a C++ model, requires 24 parameters to simulate root growth. An R script was developed to obtain five key parameters (Dmin, Dmax, CVDD, DIDm, and IBD) from SmartRoot data, which were validated against existing research. The study emphasized the need for detailed statistical analysis to ensure accurate conclusions. While the R script saves time, it must be used correctly and adapted to specific data. Combining SmartRoot and RhizoVision offers a complete understanding of root structure, as each has unique strengths. Future work should integrate the remaining parameters into the script and gather more comprehensive data.