Discontinued MR Camera Systems

Spare-parts / repairs / upgrade of discontinued systems

In our strive for customer satisfaction and to maximize the service life of all our instruments, including the MR camera systems, we are happy to announce that we will continue to provide spare parts and conduct repairs of the discontinued Bartz/VSI MR systems. Please contact Mr. Thom A. Richards @ Bartz Technology Corporation for a BARTZ-related quote.

 

We would be also happy to discuss the upgrade of your current MR system, e.g. changing the imaging unit to our new HD system or adding an adaptor to set the angle of imaging within tubes more easily. Please get in contact for many more years of reliable root imaging with your upgraded systems!

VSI MS-16 (Discontinued)


Some customers reported problems accessing the overview given above, possible due restrictive internet access in their region. If this is the case, please contact us for an overview on features, specifications and scope of supply. 

Bartz MR Camera systems (DISCONTINUED)

Since 1984, the MR imaging systems BTC-2 and BTC-100X of Bartz technology Corporation set the standard for MR imaging. The robust design, the unique and effective positioning system ("Smucker handle") and the reliable video camera were used world-wide in a plethora of research projects addressing root depth distribution, root turnover and hyphae development to name a small selection of topics. The software ICAP helped to structure experiments and to capture and annotate images in a consistent way and remains until today a reliable tool for beginners and experienced users alike. However, as imaging technology, especially digital camera and lighting systems develop, production of the the BARTZ camera systems has ceased and are replaced by the new MS-190 MR system. This is reached in close collaboration between Bartz Technology Corporation and Vienna Scientific Instruments - keeping reliable, long lasting and manifold field-tested features such as the positioning system while reaching new dimensions in terms of image quality. We hope researchers world-wide will find the new minirhizotron systems developed in this joint-venture as useful as the BTC MR systems. 

In the name of both companies we wish to express our gratitude and sincere thanks to the many researchers for there feedback on the MR systems -- improving the minirhizotron technology (and thus knowledge on the hidden half) significantly. Happy root imaging!

Classical Bartz Mr systems (BTC-2, BTC-100X) - Impressions

Selected readings on PIONEER Root imaging with Minirhizotron cameras

  • Box, J. E., A. J. M. Smucker, and J. T. Ritchie. 1989. Minirhizotron installation techniques for investigating root responses to drought and oxygen stresses. Soil Science Society of America Journal 53:115-118.
  • Ferguson, J. C., and A. J. M. Smucker. 1989. Modifications of the minirhizotron video camera system for measuring spatial and temporal root dynamics. Soil Science Society of America Journal 53:1601-1605.
  • McLean, M., G. S. Howell, and A. J. M. Smucker. 1992. A minirhizotron system for in situ root observation studies of seyval grapevines. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture 43:87-89.
  • Patena, G., and K. T. Ingram. 2000. Digital acquisition and measurement of peanut root minirhizotron images. Agronomy Journal 92:541-544.
  • Smucker, A. J. M., J. C. Ferguson, W. P. Debruyn, L. R. Belford, and J. T. Ritchie. 1987. Image analysis of video recorded plant root systems. Pages 67-80 in H. M. Taylor, editor. Minirhizotron observation tubes: methods and applications for measuring rhizosphere dynamics. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI, USA.