Date: Jul 09, 2013 Source: (
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RhizoSystems™, LLC (RhizoSystems.com), a leader in soil ecosystem studies, today announced its new wireless Manual MiniRhizotron (MMR). "Our Manual MiniRhizotron was designed as an alternative to our Automated MiniRhizotron by adding a convenient, reliable, and affordable way of capturing the spatial analysis component of field research," said Michael Taggart, Managing Director and CEO of RhizoSystems. "The entire system (including the optional 2M indexing handle) fits inside a small case for portability and after initial setup (which takes less than 10 minutes); it can be operational in less than two minutes in the field. Images are captured on a wireless device and stored in your photo library. They can also be wirelessly uploaded to the web for display using our RootView™ web-based software for easy collaborative analysis."
The RhizoSystems Manual MiniRhizotron is designed to study soil ecosystems utilizing preinstalled, two-inch diameter, clear plastic tubes (ground tubes) and is compatible with most ground tubes currently in use. It requires no wires or cables to capture images. Instead, using Wi-Fi, the high-resolution images are sent to an iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch using a RhizoSystems proprietary MMR App. The MMR hardware consists of a camera and transmitter mounted in a cylindrical housing and is completely self-contained. It runs for three hours on rechargeable "AA" batteries.
The MMR can be used with pre-etched ground tubes or moved down a non-etched ground tube in fixed steps using an optional indexing handle. The steps are numbered and a number label for every fifth notch is etched into the extension rods to provide a means of recording the position of any particular image. The position of each image is also automatically stored within the RootView Mobile App.
Understanding soil dynamics is a critical step in managing ecosystems processes, from root disease to carbon sequestration. Typically, cameras can provide reasonable resolution of roots, but marginal results of mycorrhizal fungi and other soil organisms. Because of the fidelity of the RhizoSystems Manual MiniRhizotron, scientists can observe fine roots and soil fauna in order to track the sequential changes in space and time within the rhizosphere.
The new Manual MiniRhizotron adds a second option to the RhizoSystems product line. Orders are being taken now for product availability in fall of 2013. Pricing for the RhizoSystems MiniRhizotron will start at $16,000, with prepaid pre-orders receiving a 10% discount. For more information about the RhizoSystems Manual and Automated MiniRhizotrons, visit RhizoSystems.com or call 951.468.0340. Development of an Android-based App will begin later this year.
About RhizoSystems
RhizoSystems is the creator of the world's first fully automated, remotely programmable, and web-accessible MiniRhizotron. Since it was introduced in 2009, the RhizoSystems Automated MiniRhizotron (AMR) has captured more images, over 30 million, than all other similar instruments combined. The RhizoSystems products were developed in collaboration with major universities and several national laboratories, and have enabled the measure of root and fungal growth, and mortality to better characterize the dynamics of hyphae, mycorrhizas, and fine roots. RhizoSystems is privately held and headquartered in Idyllwild, CA. RhizoSystems.com.
