A rhizotron is an underground root observation laboratory. It
permits the growth and behavior of plant roots to be monitored,
non-destructively, along a plate glass observation window while the
above ground portions of the plant are exposed to field envirnomental
conditions. The first rhizotrons were constructed in the early
1900's. The prototype for most present day facilities was
constructed in 1963 at East Malling, Kent, England. Over the past 30
years, several rhizotrons in various parts of the world have been
constructed. Today, very few of these facilities remain in active
use. The cost of upkeep and laborious, time consuming measurement of
root growth often become prohibative.
The rhizotron facility at the University of Georgia, Athens, GA
was completed in 1986. Although the facility is similar to several
previously constructed rhizotrons, it does posses several unique
design features. First, it consists of three seperate rooms which
are entirely below ground level. This includes and observation area
or walkway, instrument room and laboratory. The actual observation
area consists of two rows of 12 observation chambers. Each chamber
is 40 in x 40 in x 6ft deep and is constructed of ¾ inch thick
pressure treated fir plywood and 6 inch thick, steel rod reinforced
concrete poured cement blocks. The viewing panels of each chamber
consists of a single pane of ¾ inch thick tempered plate glass
set at a 12.5 degree angle from vertical. To facilitate soil removal
from the chambers, two 7.5 in diameter access/drainage holes are
located at the bottom of each chamber. A wire screen is positioned
on the inside of each chamber over the access hole to contain soil
while permitting normal drainage. For soil removal, the screen can
be easily removed by pulling it through the hole. The instrument
room is approximately 170 square feet and houses various data
recording instrumentation. The laboratory is approximately 400
square feet and allows for both wet and dry lab analyses to be
conducted.
Since 1986, numerous investigations have been completed in the
rhizotron. Studies ranging from the effects of nematodes on soybean
root growth to the response of creeping bentgrass to various rates of
nitrogen have been completed and published in refereed journals.
Today, all the research conducted in the rhizotron involves some
aspect or factor influencing turfgrass growth and development. Most
recently, the emphasis has been on the effects of wetting agents and
biostimulants on turfgrass root growth. Please see list of
Research Publications for more information.
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