Root System Architecture

Root system architecture (RSA) describes the three-dimensional distribution of roots in the soil and the changes over time. While the root system of each individual in different soils varies, plants of a species or variety display characteristic distributions and their RSA is very similar when growing in the same conditions. 

RSA of a crop has a huge impact on its ability to acquire resources and to withstand stresses such as drought. We have developed frugal, commodity-based resources to characterise RSA in soil-grown plants: using image capture, in combination with machine learning, our lab and collaborators at the School of Engineering have developed a system based on commodity components that allows colleagues and citizen scientists in low- and middle-income countries to evaluate below-ground crop performance aimed at enhancing yields. 

We are now interested to also utilise this system in the UK to enhance the climate resilience of barley.