Plant tissues in 3D via X-ray tomography: simple contrasting methods allow high resolution imaging.

ABSTRACT: Computed tomography remains strongly underused in plant sciences despite its high potential in delivering detailed 3D phenotypical information because of the low X-ray absorption of most plant tissues. Existing protocols to study soft tissues display poor performance, especially when compared to those used on animals. More efficient protocols to study plant material are therefore needed. Flowers of Arabidopsis thaliana and Marcgravia caudata were immersed in a selection of contrasting agents used to treat samples for transmission electron microscopy. Grayscale values for floral tissues and background were measured as a function of time. Contrast was quantified via a contrast index. The thick buds of Marcgravia were scanned to determine which contrasting agents best penetrate thick tissues.

SUBMITTER: Staedler YM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3785515 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature