Rhizobox Systems for Root, Rhizosphere and Soil Monitoring

The first investigator known to have developed a root box was probably Julius von Sachs in the 19th century (Sachs, 1865). Since then, many soil-based, ex situ growth systems, today referred to as rhizoboxes, rootboxes or rooting box have been developed for research, breeding and education. Investigate the "hidden half" of plants, monitor the rhizosphere and soil under controlled conditions with VSI Rhizobox Systems. We offer an "ecosystem" of Rhizobox research tools optimized for monitoring of roots and/or soil processes under controlled conditions - as well as durability and ease-of-use. Choose from a wide range of accessories (racks, manipulation stands, respiration chambers, etc.) - standard and custom sizes and many different rhizobox designs available. Contact us if you want to discuss rhizoboxes. 

Try our rhizobox configurator web tool to set the target dimensions of rhizoboxes / rhizonboxes, calculate the effects on rooting and rhizosphere space, overall weight of rootboxes and approximate the amount of soil required.

NEW: Rhizoboxes and Rhizobox accessories in transparent and black are now available in 3-5 mm PMMA with a recycling rate of 70%. Contact us if a more sustainably produced acrylic fits your research needs. For full transparency: Rhizoboxes will continue to be made from new PMMA panels unless the use of recycled acrylic is confirmed.

Rhizobox / root box systems are used to i) separate rhizosphere soil from bulk soil, ii) are a feasible way to study different aspects of soil - soil pore water - root interactions, iii) measure root growth, turnover and spatial distribution (and a wide range of other root traits relevant to characterize root systems in phenotyping approaches), & image the rhizosphere, and iv) sample defined root types (e.g. age classes, orders) or soil areas (rhizosphere/bulk soil). Rhizonboxes are particularly useful for manipulating specific rhizosphere patches.

Recenty, Yee and colleagues (2021) provided a great overview on representative rhizobox designs, showcasing the manifold rhizobox configuration options for specific research questions (see Figure). (Subpannel A) "Classical" Rhizotron/Rhizobox set up, (B) Rhizobox with side-compartment, (C) vertical and (D) horizontal root mat chambers, root boxes with (E) mycorrhizal compartments (e.g. separated by 50 µm mesh and/or air gaps), and (F,G) split-root or -box designs (see "Splitbox-design") with complete or semi-permeable compartments. See Yee et al. (2021) for details.

Similarly innovative, Yin et al. (2020) proposed a "sandwich" rhizobox system - growing roots in nylon mesh between two rhizobox halves with soil, allowing for easy retrieval of 2D root systems for subsequent analysis, analogous to soil-free growing paper-based phenotyping systems, but with the advantage of harvesting roots exposed to soil incl. its rhizosphere microbiome and unique abiotic conditions. See below for some general design conideration when planing your Rhizobox design. In particular, please consider the target plant size when selecting a certain rhizobox size, and the potential effect of root illumination. The integration of RRPs' (Micro-)Rhizons and RhizonIrrigators into the Rhizobox systems ("Rhizonboxes") creates advanced opportunities for soil water sampling and manipulation in root boxes. Rhizobox racks for angled placement and top-up rhizobox chambers for gas flux measurements or isotope labelling complement our root box portfolio. For studies under flooded soil conditions, we are offering hydroponic rootboxes. 

For your root box design, you may want to consider...

• Internal/external dimensions (W x H x D) depending on the species (size, growth rate) and duration of the experiment. See also the rhizobox calculator tool to determine suitable rootbox dimensions (i.e. rootable space).
• Detachability of front and back plates. Lowered hex screws for easier scanning and  back-to-back placement or wing nuts for easy opening during routine sampling? Independently detachable sections fo easier sampling?
• Splitbox design to independently monitor two (or more) plant individuals per rhizobox?  Or do you need to grow the root system of one plant in two different compartments (SplitRoot-Box design). 
• Back plate perforation for soil pore water sampling with MicroRhizons ("Rhizonbox") and holes for insertion of Rhizon samplers from the side?
• Bottom perforation, allowing for drainage? Did you consider a drainage layer at the bottom? Or do you need sealed hydroponic RootBoxes for flooding experiments? 
• Rack system to place rhizoboxes? Angled to facilitate root growth along the transparent front? Are your boxes very tall and very heavy - consider a support (heavy-duty) rack.
• How do you prevent light reaching the root system? Light cover panels? Box systems? Foil or film?
• How do you image your rhizoboxes? Semi-automatic or automatic rhizobox imaging systems needed for your root research facility?

The rhizobox configuration form and some exemplary rhizobox pictures provide a good overview of possible rhizobox designs, but we are always open to realize your special requirements. For example, ultra large rhizoboxes for educational displays ("rhizotrons") or hydroponic rootboxes require different construction principles due to the weight of soils and large plants, waterproof sealing etc. Contact us via WhatsApp or email to discuss your custom rhizobox design ideas!