Five seasons with DeepRootLab: A unique facility for easier deep root research in the field

Abstract

Deep-rooted crops accessing water and nutrients from deep soil layers enhance the resource base for crop production. However, studying these roots in field conditions is labor-intensive, limiting research scope. We established a field root research facility with 48 plots for replicated experiments. The facility includes 144 six-meter-long minirhizotron tubes and an AI-based pipeline for rapid root trait analysis. We also attempted to install access-tubes and customized ingrowth-core production for less-invasive root activity determination. Our study revealed significant differences in deep root density among species, particularly at depths of 2.5 to 4.5 meters, over five years. The less invasive studies using ingrowth-cores reached depths of 4.2 meters. Nutrient tracer 15N analysis showed marked differences in deep root activity among crop species. TDR sensors indicated varying water depletion in deeper soil layers, influenced by crop species and root growth patterns. We established a field facility for studying deep root growth and function, demonstrating its effectiveness in analyzing diverse deep-rooted plant species. This facility provides an ideal platform for conducting meaningful research in deep soil layers, yielding statistically and biologically significant results for agricultural applications.