Evaluation of phenotyping methods for maize

The quantitative measurement of plant features, also known as “phenotyping”, is an important step in the development of improved varieties of corn. These improvements typical consist of increased yield, but also increased resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses is paramount. The speed of this crop improvement is currently limited by rather archaic methods of phenotyping, often consisting of manual measurements of morphological features. In this research, a new addition to the technology of phenotyping was developed. Earlier, image based high-throughput phenotyping methods have been developed that allow for the measurement of root complexity, stalk diameter and root angle. The method used is direct imaging of the root structures under controlled diffuse lighting. The method as developed in this work, differs in that the lighting is not diffuse, but structured in the form of a laser sheet that is projected through a root system, where the illuminated areas are recorded using a digital camera. By moving the laser sheet to vertically different areas of the root structure were illuminated. The root was also rotated, allowing for several sides of the root to be scanned and the resulting angle to be based on multiple views of the root. The same procedure was applied to tassels. The imagery was analyzed to obtain root angles that were compared to root angles measured using the direct imaging method. Important issues for future development were identified, including sample preparation procedures, the requirements of all systems, and improvements to the technology.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Agricultural & Biological Engr

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Reis, Robert

Contributors dc:contributor

• Grift, Tony E.

• Maize
• Corn Root
• Phenotyping

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2013 Robert Reis

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/46652

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/46652