Uses of NMR Imaging for Research in Plant Physiology

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Use of NMR Imaging for Research in Plant Physiology: The usefulness of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been established in medical diagnosis and research. It should be equally useful in studying plant physiology especially where it is desireable to monitor non-destructively the changes in water content of living tissue over time. Improvements in resolution and definition now make it possible to obtain good images at the microscopic as well as the macroscopic level. Subjects to be investigated include: water movement from soil to roots; efflux of water from roots to dry soil; effects of root shrinkage on water absorption; radial movement of water in roots; water movements to leaves and xylem changes in water during drying and rehydration. The proposal has the potential of answering definitively many questions that have been only half answered for several decades. The application of MRI has many potential applications in crop science and in agricultural research. The knowledge acquired, thereby, could easily lead to the development and screening of novel hybrids.