Application of consecutive polyethylene glycol treatments for modeling the seminal root growth of rice under water stress

The response of root growth to various osmotic potentials is quite important in assessing the drought resistance of rice. This study modeled seminal root growth by applying consecutive polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatments (from 0 to 25%, 1% step), mathematical equations and noncontact image analysis to quantitatively evaluate the root response. Treatment began after seeds were germinated, and root growth was recorded by a digital camera every day from 7 to 20 days after seeding (DAS). Although the seminal root length (SRL) measured by image analysis slightly varied with DAS, the equations explained the differences in SRL increases under each PEG concentration relatively well (R² = 0.774). The equations also suggested that the maximum seminal root length was observed at 5.9% PEG. This numerical characterization of root growth is an effective means of evaluating drought resistance.