Microsystems to Study Interactions Between Plant Roots and the Root Zone

The least understood aspect of plant sciences is root system physiology, To study the underlying biology of the root we are developing microsystem technologies with engineered local micro-encironments in the root zone/rhizosphere, and have examined root responses to different material microstructures. Dwarf wheat plants were grown on porous ceramics (structural element=10um). Phenolic foram (structural element=1mm) and amorphous gel medium, and analyzed root morphology using difital image analysis. roots from amorphous substrates were shorted and techer, while roots on smaller structural elements tended to be smaller and thinner. We are uding this information in the development of advanced root microenvironments.