Rhizobox and Root pheNotyping Systems For Root, Rhizosphere and Soil Studies

Rhizobox / RhizonBoxes / 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) to measure root growth, turnover and spatial distribution (and a large range of other root traits relevant to characterize root sytems in phenotyping approaches), and iv) to sample defined root types (e.g. age classes, orders) or soil areas (rhizosphere / bulk soil). 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 with complete or semi-permeable compartments. See Yee et al. (2021) for details. Please consider the target plant size when selecting a certain rhizobox size (see inset 1 below), and the potential effect of root illumination on your results (see inset 2 below). The integration of RRPs' (Micro-)Rhizons and Rhizon Irrigators into the established VSI Rhizobox systems ("Rhizonboxes") creates advanced opportunities for soil water sampling and manipulation in root boxes. Rhizobox racks for angled placement and top-up chambers for gas flux measurements or isotope labelling complement our root box portfolio. For studies under flooded soil conditions, we are currently developing hydroponic rootboxes. Roots on rhizobox images can be analysed with free or commercial software programs (see below), however, rhizoboxes are also an educative way to illustrate root (and shoot growth) to younger audiences. Ultra large rhizoboxes have been build to exemplify the importance of root systems for plant growth and yield to stakeholders and the general population in educative exhibits at company facilities or natural science museums. 

Growing paper systems are suitable for screening root system architectures (RSA) of large numbers of seedlings in a rapid and cost-effective manner - allowing their inclusion into high-throughput root phenotyping platforms. Germination pouch systems using plants grown vertically on germination paper / blotter papper have been successfully used in seedling screens for many years and on many species. Researchers have developed and used germination pouch set-ups of many different configurations. Alternatively, root phenotyping boxes provide some mechanical resitance for growing roots. Roots on both soil-less phenotyping systems be analysed with free or commercial software programs (see below), and both are also an educative way to illustrate root growth to younger audiences. Vienna Scientific can manufacture custom-made growth pouch and root phenobox systems meeting your aims.