Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 22, 2026
Visualizing Early Infection Sites of Rice Blast Disease Magnaporthe oryzae on Barley Hordeum vulgare Using a Basic Microscope and a Smartphone
Published on: March 17, 2023
Geographic information system (GIS)-based image analysis for assessing growth of Physarum polycephalum on a solid
Hanh T M Tran1, Steven L Stephenson2, Jason A Tullis3
1School of Biotechnology, Ho Chi Minh International University, Ho Chi Minh City, 70000 Vietnam.
Background:
The conventional method used to assess growth of the plasmodium of the slime mold Physarum polycephalum in solid culture is to measure the extent of plasmodial expansion from the point of inoculation by using a ruler. However, plasmodial growth is usually rather irregular, so the values obtained are not especially accurate. Similar challenges exist in quantification of the growth of a fungal mycelium.
Results:
In this paper, we describe a method that uses geographic information system software to obtain highly accurate estimates of plasmodial growth over time. This approach calculates plasmodial area from images obtained at particular intervals following inoculation. In addition, the correlation between plasmodial area and its dry cell weight value was determined. The correlation could be used for biomass estimation without the need of having to terminate the cultures in question.
Conclusion:
The method described herein is simple but effective and could also be used for growth measurements of other microorganisms such as fungi on solid media.
Insights
This study introduces a new method using geographic information system software to accurately measure slime mold (Physarum polycephalum) growth. This technique allows for biomass estimation without terminating cultures, improving accuracy for microbial growth studies.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Traditional methods for assessing slime mold (Physarum polycephalum) plasmodial growth in solid culture rely on ruler measurements of expansion.
- Plasmodial growth is often irregular, leading to inaccuracies in conventional measurement techniques.
- Similar quantification challenges are encountered when measuring fungal mycelium growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a more accurate method for quantifying plasmodial growth over time.
- To establish a correlation between plasmodial area and dry cell weight for biomass estimation.
- To provide a non-destructive method for monitoring microbial growth.
Main Methods:
- Utilized geographic information system (GIS) software to analyze images of plasmodial cultures.
- Calculated plasmodial area from images captured at regular intervals post-inoculation.
- Determined the correlation between measured plasmodial area and dry cell weight.
Main Results:
- Developed a GIS-based method for highly accurate estimation of plasmodial growth.
- Established a significant correlation between plasmodial area and dry cell weight.
- Demonstrated the potential for biomass estimation without terminating cultures.
Conclusions:
- The described GIS method is simple, effective, and enhances accuracy in measuring microbial growth on solid media.
- This approach is applicable to other microorganisms, including fungi.
- The method facilitates non-destructive biomass estimation, advancing microbial culture monitoring.
