Experimental observations of root growth in a controlled photoelastic granular material

Barés Jonathan, Mora Serge, Delenne Jean-Yves, Fourcaud Thierry. 2017. Experimental observations of root growth in a controlled photoelastic granular material. In : Powders and Grains 2017. Farhang Radjai (ed.), Stefan Luding (ed.), Saeid Nezamabadi (ed.), Jean-Yves Delenne (ed.). Les Ulis : EDP Sciences-Curran Associates, 1181-1184. (EPJ Web of Conferences, 140) ISBN 978-1-5108-4434-6 International Conference on Micromechanics on Granular Media. 8, Montpellier, France, 3 Juillet 2017/7 Juillet 2017.

https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/201714014008

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Résumé : We present a novel root observation apparatus capable of measuring the mechanical evolution of both the root network and the surrounding granular medium. The apparatus consists of 11 parallel growth frames, two of them being shearable, where the roots grow inside a photo-elastic or glass granular medium sandwiched between two pieces of glass. An automated system waters the plant and image each frame periodically in white light and between crossed polarisers. This makes it possible to follow (i) the root tips and (ii) the grain displacements as well as (iii) their inner pressure. We show how a root networks evolve in a granular medium and how it can mechanically stabilize it. This constitutes a model experiment to move forward in the understanding of the complex interaction between root growth and surrounding soil mechanical evolution.

Mots-clés libres : Biomechanics, Biophysics, Root architecture

Classification Agris : F62 - Physiologie végétale - Croissance et développement
U30 - Méthodes de recherche

Champ stratégique Cirad : Axe 1 (2014-2018) - Agriculture écologiquement intensive

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