CD BioSciences is committed to developing a variety of biophysical tools such as turgor probes to provide clients with a biophysical analysis of root growth under mechanical stress. We help our clients investigate the continuous impact of mechanical impedance on root growth, providing experimental data to support further understanding of root growth physiology.

Introduction

In heterogeneous soils, the roots will experience a series of penetration resistances. The mechanical resistance has a direct and continuous effect on root growth, which in turn affects the development of the plant. There can be a complex and unique relationship between root elongation and penetration resistance. Therefore, we need to understand how the stress distribution around the roots varies between soil types and depends on the degree of radial thickening of the roots.

Much of the previous research has focused on obtaining detailed morphological and physiological information or the mechanics of soil compression around roots. Investigation of root growth under mechanical stress requires consideration of both the soil mechanics of root penetration and root growth physiology, which would bring new insights into the physiology of mechanically impeded roots. The rapid development of new technologies such as imaging, measurement and modeling techniques has contributed to the advancement of research in this area.

Fig.1 Schematic diagram illustrating (a) forces exerted by a penetrating root tip on the soil, (b) reaction force of soil at a bend in the root tip, and (c) anchorage of the root tip by root hairs. (Bengough, 2011)

Our Services

Research into the physiology of mechanically impeded root systems has lagged behind, due to the fact that the presence of physically impeded growth media makes it difficult to observe sample roots in situ. We have developed multiple biophysical techniques such as turgor probes and 3D imaging to apply to mechanically impeded root systems, providing our clients with powerful tools to analyze root growth under mechanical stress. Our services include but are not limited to:

• Analysis of morphological changes in roots in different growth media, such as media with different densities and structures, and media in the presence of obstructions.
• Measurement of the shape and frictional characteristics of the root tip.
• Measurement of the turgor pressure and cell wall properties of roots grown in different soil strengths.
• Measurement of root elongation, cell flux rate and cell production rate.
• Characterization of the mechanical resistance of the soil.
• Estimation of root growth pressure.
• Modeling of mechanical and hydric stresses during growth to describe the interaction between soil physical conditions and plant root growth.

Our Advantages

• World-class technology platform
• Ph.D. level experienced technicians
• Powerful and advanced data analysis tools
• Service with high flexibility

CD BioSciences offers our clients services for the analysis of root growth under mechanical stress. Our highly qualified team of experts will develop optimal strategies to accelerate your progress in the study of mechanisms involved in plant root responses to mechanical impedance stress. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us for more details.

Reference

1. Bengough, A. G.; et al. Root elongation, water stress, and mechanical impedance: a review of limiting stresses and beneficial root tip traits. Journal of experimental botany. 2011, 62(1): 59-68.

• Detection of Root Phenotype
• Measurement of Root Physiological Characteristics
• Geometric Characterization of Developing Lateral Roots
• Analysis of Plant Root Exudates
• Modeling of Root Growth
• Modeling of Root-Soil Interactions
• AFM-Based Biophysical Analysis of Root Growth