Root Evaluation

• US 20070289211A1
• Filed: 09/08/2005
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cropdesign N.V. (BASF SE)
• Original Assignee: Design, Inc.
• Inventors: Lejeune, Pierre, Leyns, Frederik, Broekaert, Willem, Dhont, Frederik
• Granted Patent: US 8,341,880 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 47/65
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 1/00 Apparatus, or methods of use thereof, for testing or treating seed, roots, or the like, prior to sowing or planting
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 22/20 Cereals
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 22/22 Rice
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 31/00 Soilless cultivation, e.g. hydroponics growth substrates therefor A01G24/00; cultivation of seaweed A01G33/00
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 7/00 Botany in general
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 9/00 Cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses of mushrooms A01G18/00; soilless cultivation A01G31/00; Edging for beds, lawn or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/002 Special television systems not provided for by H04N7/007 - H04N7/18 still pictures via a television channel H04N1/00098
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/21 Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures

Abstract

A method is provided comprising (i) growing a plant in a substantially transparent container charged with a particulate, non-transparent growing medium; and (ii) evaluating plant roots through said transparent container by digital imaging. An apparatus for evaluating plant roots in a high throughput manner is also provided.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating plant roots, comprising (i) growing a plant in a substantially transparent container charged with a particulate, non-transparent growing medium;

and (ii) evaluating plant roots through said transparent container by digital imaging.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said transparent container contains a pigment that absorbs all light wavelengths except between 500 and 600 nanometres.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said particulate, non-transparent growing material comprises soil.

4. An apparatus for evaluating plant roots, comprising:

(i) a transporter means for movement of plants in substantially transparent containers charged with particulate, non-transparent growing medium; and

(ii) at least one camera; and

optionally

(iii) a mechanical system for presenting the substantially transparent container to the at least one camera; and

(iv) algorithms for measuring root traits.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said plants are provided with unique identifiers

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said unique identifier is a transponder.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said transporter means is a moving belt.

8. An apparatus for evaluating roots of plants in substantially transparent containers charged with particulate, non-transparent growing medium, which apparatus comprises at least one movable camera arranged to record images of plant roots through said substantially transparent container.