Plant husbandry – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
2007-10-09
2007-10-09
Palo, Francis T. (Department: 3644)
Plant husbandry
Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
active
11083128
ABSTRACT:
An apparatus and method for nondestructively acquiring images of a plant root system is described. The apparatus includes a substrate for supporting the plant root system, a container for holding the substrate, an x-ray radiation source for generating x-ray radiation and directing the radiation to pass through the plant root system, and an x-ray image capture system for receiving the x-ray radiation having passed through the plant root system and for generating an image of the plant root system based on the radiation. The x-ray radiation source generates x-ray radiation having an energy level in the range of about 8 keV to about 20 keV. In this energy range, the attenuation of the x-ray radiation due to air is minimized and the contrast between the root system and the container and substrate is sufficiently high to provide a resolvable image. The substrate and container are preferably formed of materials having a low mass density, such as less than about 3 pounds per cubic foot, and a low x-ray mass attenuation coefficient. The low density materials of the substrate and the container introduce comparatively low attenuation of the x-ray radiation when compared to the attenuation introduced by the roots, thereby enhancing the visibility of the root system in the image.
REFERENCES:
D.A. Heeraman et al., Three Dimensional Imaging of Plant Roots in Situ with X-ray Computed Tomography; □□Hydrology, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources (LAWR), University of California, Davis;□□Plant and Soil 189; pp. 167-179; 1997.
Dr. P. Jenneson, Radiation Imaging of Nutrient Uptake in Biological Root Systems Using Cone-Beam X-ray Micro-CT;□□University of Reading, Department of Soil Science, 1999.
Pierret et al., Simultaneous X-ray Imaging of Plant Root and Water Uptake in Thin Slab Systems; Plant and Soil Journal, Netherlands, vol. 255, No. 1/Aug. 2003; pp. 361-373.
McDonald Daniel W.
Michaels Ronald B.
Luedeka Neely & Graham P.C.
Palo Francis T.
Phenotype Screening Corporation
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