Click on “Download PDF” for the PDF version or on the title for the HTML version.

If you are not an ASABE member or if your employer has not arranged for access to the full-text, Click here for options.

A computer vision system was developed for quantitatively evaluating the peripheral root growth and development in a plant/seedling/cutting/plug growing tray-cell/pot/container to study the beneficial effects of air-pruning on plant-root growth. A computer program was developed for in-situ measurement technique to analyze the peripheral root density and distribution (PRDD). The methodology was applied to measure root development of tomato seedlings. The specific PRDD values were calculated for air-pruning tray cells and non- air-pruning tray cells under five stages of the seedling growth. Results showed that air-pruned root development was far superior to non-air-pruned root growth. Root bindings were observed in non-air-pruning cells even though the tray cells were properly shaped (small at the top and gradually get larger at the bottom) due to non-air-pruning closed bottom. Analysis of the results showed that the technique can be useful for evaluating peripheral root architecture for various designs of tray cells and pots/containers as well as for analyzing the effects of air-pruning and determining their efficient size and design.