estimating wheat root biomass using ground penetrating radar

Estimating wheat root biomass using ground penetrating radar

CIMMYT Remote Sensing - Beyond Images December 14-15, 2013

Sean M. Thompson, Alfredo Delgado, R. Esten Mason, C. Mariano Cossani, Matthew P. Reynolds, Amir M. H. Ibrahim, Ronald E. Lacey, Robert A. Washington-Allen, and Dirk B. Hays

© Sean M. Thompson 2013 - All Rights Reserved

Phenotyping roots

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0-30 cm

30-60 cm

60-90 cm

90-120 cm

© Sean M. Thompson 2013 - All Rights Reserved

Hypothesis

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GPR is capable of phenotyping root biomass of wheat in situ. Objectives Develop the use of GPR for phenotyping below ground biomass, in the context of higher yield stability during drought and high temperature stress.

•  The validation of GPR to non-destructively detect wheat roots in a controlled and stressed environment for correlation to traditional destructive root measurements.

© Sean M. Thompson 2013 - All Rights Reserved

4 Tw

o-w

ay tr

avel

tim

e (n

anos

econ

ds)

00  –      02  –      04  –      06  –      08  –      10  –      12  –    

Antenna   Antenna  

Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 67:1607–1615 (2003)

© Sean M. Thompson 2013 - All Rights Reserved

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Plot width

0-30 cm

30-60 cm

60-90 cm

90-120 cm

Antenna   Antenna   Antenna  

© Sean M. Thompson 2013 - All Rights Reserved

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March 20, 2013 Pre-Waterlogging

April 8, 2013 (19) Waterlogging

April 16, 2013 (27) Waterlogging

(Images: R. Esten Mason)

Waterlogging treatment Control treatment

© Sean M. Thompson 2013 - All Rights Reserved

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GPR-Slice

Geophysical Archaeometry

Laboratory

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Spatial analysis

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Time slices

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Conclusions

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•  Spatial relationship between plots and GPR amplitude return in both control and treatment.

•  In field spatial variability will need to be considered in future GPR studies.

•  Root biomass and depth can be visualized by GPR .

© Sean M. Thompson 2013 - All Rights Reserved

Looking forward

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•  CIMMYT –  Deeply rooted partnership

•  IDS Multi Array System

–  Root Depth / Biomass –  Root Architecture –  Field-Based HTP

•  GPR-Slice

–  Rapid Data Analysis –  User Friendly Interface –  In Field Data Processing

isdcorporation.com

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isdcorporation.com

© Sean M. Thompson 2013 - All Rights Reserved

Support

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United States Department of Agriculture U.S. Borlaug Fellows in Global Food Security Purdue University, Center for Global Food Security

Texas Wheat Producers Board Wheat Physiological Breeding Texas A&M University, Small Grains Breeding Program

International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center Global Wheat Program, Wheat Physiology Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research

Texas A&M AgriLife Research Texas Cropping System Grant Texas A&M University, Soil & Crop Sciences

© Sean M. Thompson 2013 - All Rights Reserved

Team members Texas A&M AgriLife •  Wheat Physiology, Small Grains Breeding •  Small Grains Extension

University of Arkansas •  Small Grains Breeding

CIMMYT •  Physiology •  Breeding •  Biostatistics

14 © Sean M. Thompson 2013 - All Rights Reserved

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Sean M. Thompson

sean.thompson@tamu.edu | precision-phenotyping.com

Alfredo Delgado

adelgado.tamu@gmail.com| soilcrop.tamu.edu

“Do not only practice your art, but force your way into

secrets, for it and knowledge can raise man to the

divine.” -Beethoven

© Sean M. Thompson 2013 - All Rights Reserved