Plant root PET: visualization of photosynthate translocation to roots in rice plant. (13th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miyoshi, Y.; Nagao, Y.; Yamaguchi, M.; Suzui, N.; Yin, Y.-G.; Kawachi, N.; Yoshida, E.; Takyu, S.; Tashima, H.; Yamaya, T.; Kuya, N.; Teramoto, S.; Uga, Y.
• Is Part Of: Journal of instrumentation. Volume 16:Number 12(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12-13
• Subjects: Gamma camera, SPECT, PET PET/CT, coronary CT angiography (CTA) -- Computerized Tomography (CT) and Computed Radiography (CR); Scientific apparatus and instruments -- Periodicals; 502.84
• DOI: 10.1088/1748-0221/16/12/C12018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-0221

Abstract

Abstract: Roots are essential to plants for uptake of water and nutrients. For the improvement of crop production, it is necessary to understand the elucidation of the root development and its function under the ground. Especially, photosynthate translocation from plant leaves to roots is an important physiological function that affects the root elongation, adaptation to the soil environment and nutrients uptake. To evaluate the translocation dynamics to roots, positron emission tomography (PET) and 11 C tracer have been used. However, the spatial resolution is degraded at roots that develop around the peripheral area of field of view (FOV) due to parallax errors. In this study, to overcome this problem, we developed a small OpenPET prototype applying four-layer depth-of-interaction detectors. We demonstrated the imaging capability of 11 C-photosynthate translocation to rice roots that develop throughout the entire PET field. We also tried to obtain structural information of roots by high-throughput X-ray computerized tomography (CT) system using the same test plant. As a result, we succeeded in visualizing the root structure that developed around the peripheral region of FOV and imaging the accumulation of 11 C-photosynthate to the roots in those areas without degrading the spatial resolution. From obtained images, we also succeeded in evaluating the translocation dynamics varied by roots. The combined use of the high-throughput CT system and the OpenPET prototype was demonstrated to be appropriate for structural and functional analysis of roots.