UGA Rhizotron

Although a gradual increased interest in root or whole plant research is occurring, a great void still exists. Very little is known about the typical seasonal root behavior of most turfgrasses under actual field conditions. This is particularly true when one considers root behavior or response to specific types of environmental conditions or cultural practices. It is believed that before maximum growth and quality of turfgrasses can be fully realized, we must understand each species in totality--roots and shoots and how they are affected as a plant system by the environment and commonly used turfgrass management practices.

To accomplish this total understanding, it is essential that turfgrass root systems be studied non-destructively, while growing under actual field conditions. One method in which this can be accomplished is through the use of underground root observation laboratories or rhizotrons. Such a facility was constructed at The University of Georgia in 1985. A rhizotron is an underground walkway lined with a series of soil compartments or cells having transparent windows. Root observations are made along the face of the window while the aerial parts of the plants under study are exposed to field environmental conditions. Rhizotrons permit detailed, non-destructive monitoring of plant root systems throughout the entire year. They allow the investigator to record important root growth and behavior information such as growth rates, rooting patterns, initiation, maturation, senescence and other detailed morphological responses that are usually inaccessible. With this information, relationships can be developed between overall root and shoot responses as they relate to environmental and/or cultural practices.