Title: Laser ablation tomography for visualization of root colonization by edaphic organisms

Abstract

Soil biota have important effects on crop productivity, but can be difficult to study in situ. Laser ablation tomography (LAT) is a novel method that allows for rapid, three-dimensional quantitative and qualitative analysis of root anatomy, providing new opportunities to investigate interactions between roots and edaphic organisms. LAT was used for analysis of maize roots colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, maize roots herbivorized by western corn rootworm, barley roots parasitized by cereal cyst nematode, and common bean roots damaged by Fusarium. UV excitation of root tissues affected by edaphic organisms resulted in differential autofluorescence emission, facilitating the classification of tissues and anatomical features. Samples were spatially resolved in three dimensions, enabling quantification of the volume and distribution of fungal colonization, western corn rootworm damage, nematode feeding sites, tissue compromised by Fusarium, and as well as root anatomical phenotypes. Owing to its capability for high-throughput sample imaging, LAT serves as an excellent tool to conduct large, quantitative screens to characterize genetic control of root anatomy and interactions with edaphic organisms. Additionally, this technology improves interpretation of root–organism interactions in relatively large, opaque root segments, providing opportunities for novel research investigating the effects of root anatomical phenes on associations with edaphic organisms.

Authors:

Strock, Christopher F.  ^[1];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Strock, Christopher F."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0003-1432-8130"
• Search orcid.org for ORCID "0000-0003-1432-8130"

Schneider, Hannah M. ^[1]; Galindo-Castañeda, Tania ^[1]; Hall, Benjamin T. ^[2]; Van Gansbeke, Bart ^[3]; Mather, Diane E. ^[3]; Roth, Mitchell G. ^[4]; Chilvers, Martin I. ^[4]; Guo, Xiangrong ^[1]; Brown, Kathleen  ^[1];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Brown, Kathleen"
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-4960-5292"
• Search orcid.org for ORCID "0000-0002-4960-5292"

Lynch, Jonathan P.  ^[1]

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Lynch, Jonathan P."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-7265-9790"
• Search orcid.org for ORCID "0000-0002-7265-9790"

---

+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)
2. Lasers for Innovative Solutions, LLC, State College, PA (United States)
3. The Univ. of Adelaide, Glen Osmond (Australia)
4. Michigan State Univ., East Lansing, MI (United States)

Publication Date:

2019-06-13

Research Org.:

Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E)

Contributing Org.:

Department of Plant Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 USA 2 Lasers for Innovative Solutions, LLC, 200 Innovation Blvd. (Suite 214), State College, PA 16803 USA 3 School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, Waite Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, PMB 1, Glen Osmond, SA 5064, Australia 4 Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA

OSTI Identifier:

1572933

Grant/Contract Number:  

AR0000821

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Journal of Experimental Botany

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 70; Journal Issue: 19; Journal ID: ISSN 0022-0957

Publisher:

Oxford University Press

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES; cereal cyst nematode; Fusarium; mycorrhizae; root anatomy; root phenotyping; western corn rootworm