Farms.com Home   News

Ag Alumni Seed to Fund Sophisticated New Root Scanner at Purdue

By Darrin Pack
 
Ag Alumni Seed, a Purdue University-affiliated seed technology company, has made a $900,000 gift to fund the purchase of a sophisticated computed tomography (CT) root scanner for Purdue’s new controlled environment plant phenotyping facility.
 
The scanner will enable researchers to image the roots of plants to observe and record root growth over a full growing cycle without damaging the root structure, according to Shawn Donkin, interim associate dean for research and education.
 
“It is a significant advance and should greatly contribute to our understanding of plant development,” he said. “We are grateful for the generosity and vision of our partners at Ag Alumni Seed.”
 
Jay Hulbert, president and CEO of Ag Alumni Seed, said direct, non-invasive observation of plant root growth opens up a new range of opportunities in plant science.
 
“Plant breeders spend countless hours observing and working with all manner of above-ground plant traits, but until now the only way to directly observe root characteristics was to dig up the plant, killing it, or to use plastic or glass below-ground imaging devices, which change the way roots grow,” he said. “Purdue’s new CT root scanner will allow us to directly observe root characteristics multiple times from seeding to maturity.”
 
Plant scientists have been using x-rays to study roots and soil for years, but earlier systems were constrained by relatively low resolution, limited scan time and difficulties in reconstructing the root system in three dimensions, said Anjali Iyer-Pascuzzi, assistant professor of botany and plant pathology. Improvements in the imaging and analysis technology now make it possible for researchers to determine how plants respond to stress factors such as drought over time, and how roots respond to different soil conditions, she noted.
 
“This is the best tool to look at root development and growth in a natural environment and in a non-destructive manner,” she said.
 
The root scanner is expected to be installed next year in Purdue’s new controlled environment plant phenotyping facility. Donkin said Purdue researchers would work closely with the manufacturer to refine the imaging and analysis systems.
 
Purdue’s Controlled Environment Phenotyping Facility is a core component of the Institute for Plant Sciences, part of Purdue Moves, announced in 2013 to broaden Purdue’s global impact and enhance educational opportunities for students. This 7,000-sq-ft facility allows precise control over the environment and a rapid, non-destructive alternative to exploring plant traits. Combined with Purdue’s existing phenotyping capabilities in the field, this platform creates a unique data pipeline for researchers to better understand basic plant physiology and to adapt to plants’ response to changes in the environment. 
 

Trending Video

2024 AGM Day 1 Panel - Succession Planning & Risk Management

Video: 2024 AGM Day 1 Panel - Succession Planning & Risk Management

Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census of Agriculture indicates that 75% of all farms operating in Canada operate as sole proprietorships or family partnerships. While incorporated farms make up just over a third of Canadian farm operations most of those are also family-run corporations. If the issue of farm succession planning is not on the minds of Canadian farm producers, it probably should be. That same Statistics Canada Census of Agriculture indicates that the average age of a Canadian farmer is 56 years of age with the 55 plus age group becoming the fastest growing segment in Canadian agriculture.

Despite these statistics, the same Census reports that only 1 in 10 Canadian farm operations have a formal succession plan. While each farm has its unique issues when it comes to transferring the business to the next generation, there are some common topics that almost all farmers must address. Join financial, legal, and tax experts to learn about how to begin the process, key tips on ensuring a smooth transition from one generation to the next, and how to manage the strong emotions the topic can create within the family.