Image Processing-Aided Simple Analysis Method for Root Hair Formation in Plants

• Inoue Yasunori

  Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Science University of Tokyo

• Yamaoka Keiko

  Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Science University of Tokyo

• Kimura Kyoko

  Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Science University of Tokyo

• Sawai Kaori

  Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Science University of Tokyo

Abstract

Image analyzing software aided simple quantitative analysis method for the formation of root hairs in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Grand Rapids) seedlings was newly developed. Low-magnification microscopic images of main roots and root hairs were first recorded on a magneto-optical disk using a CCD color camera and an image recorder. Recorded images were next converted to monochromatic gray scale images, then binarized to black and white images using image analyzing software. Depending on the threshold level for the binarization, an image of either the main root plus root hairs or just the main root was extracted as a black image. Next, “exclusive or” between the image of the main root plus root hairs and that of the main root was calculated. The thus-obtained image was next inverted, and the total number of black pixels was calculated as equivalent to the total amount of root hair. The total number of black pixels included in the long slender window along the surface of the main root in the image of the binarized root hairs plus main root was used to represent the density of the root hairs. Both values showed good correlation to the values determined by manual measurement using magnified printed images. This method made it possible to analyze root hair formation quickly and accurately.

Journal

• bioimages

  bioimages 3 (1), 31-36, 1995

  Bioimaging Society

Keywords

• binarize
• image processing
• root
• root hair
• threshold level

Details

• CRID: 1390574876232662912
• NII Article ID: 10002037508
• NII Book ID: AA11084187
• DOI: 10.11169/bioimages.3.31
• ISSN: 09192719
• Text Lang: en
• Data Source:
  • JaLC
  • CiNii Articles
• Abstract License Flag: Disallowed