EnRoot: a narrow-diameter, inexpensive and partially 3D-printable minirhizotron for imaging fine root production.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Fine root production is one of the least well understood components of the carbon cycle in terrestrial ecosystems. Minirhizotrons allow accurate and non-destructive sampling of fine root production. Small and large scale studies across a range of ecosystems are needed to have baseline data on fine root production and further assess the impact of global change upon it; however, the expense and the low adaptability of minirhizotrons prevent such data collection, in worldwide distributed sampling schemes, in low-income countries and in some ecosystems (e.g. tropical forested wetlands).

Results

We present EnRoot, a narrow minirhizotron of 25 mm diameter, that is partially 3D printable. EnRoot is inexpensive (€150), easy to construct (no prior knowledge required) and a

SUBMITTER: Arnaud M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6712814 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature