Kinematic study of root elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana with a novel image-analysis program

The measurement of the spatial profile of root elongation needs to determine matching points between time-lapse images and calculate their displacement. These data have been obtained by laborious manual methods in the past. Some computer-based programs have been developed to improve the measurement, but they require many time-series digital images or sprinkling graphite particles on the root prior to image capture. Here, we have developed GrowthTracer, a new image-analysis program for the kinematic study of root elongation. GrowthTracer employs a multiresolution image matching method with a nonlinear filter called the critical point filter (CPF), which extracts critical points from images at each resolution and can determine precise matching points by analysis of only two intact images, without pre-marking by graphite particles. This program calculates the displacement of each matching point and determines the displacement velocity profile along the medial axis of the root. In addition, a manual input of distinct matching points increases the matching accuracy. We show a successful application of this novel program for the kinematic analysis of root growth in Arabidopsis thaliana.