Image analysis of hydroponic plant root system and 3D morphological reconstruction method

Abstract

Plant roots have three-dimensional branching structure to mechanically support the above-ground portion of the plant. In addition, it is probable that each root forms an optimal morphology for the environment in which it is placed. If we can identify and analyse this three-dimensional morphology and physical properties such as rigidity and stress profile, it would be possible to propose new materials that take advantage of the branching structure. However, since it is difficult to evaluate the three-dimensional morphology of root systems in soil, we intend to capture and quantify the morphology using hydroponics. In this study, we present the results of image analysis of root morphology in 2D images we have been working on, as well as a 3D stereo imaging method and a 3D morphology reconstruction method using the direct linear transformation method (DLT).