Development of techniques to study root systems of sugarcane : SRDC final report BS56S

Abstract

The aim of this project, to develop quantitative, cost-effective techniques for assessing the size and extensiveness of root systems in sugarcane, has been achieved. The equipment purchased and subsequently modified, and the techniques developed, have vastly improved the capacity to study root systems of sugarcane. Modifications were made to substantially improve the operation of the hydropneumatic elutriation system imported from USA. Optimal settings of the image analysis system imported from the UK were determined for root length measurement (monochrome) and root colour (colour image processing). Macro files were written to speed the operation of the latter.