Visual Reconstructions

The Root-VIS program uses a subtle, smart algorithm to reconstruct visually representative forms, (optionally) adding “bends” to roots based on the available information (the length-to-vector ratio, and the number, position, and orientation of lateral roots). We implemented five types of average visual reconstructions of root systems in Root-VIS, named Absolute Averages, Binned Averages, Alpha Blends, Flag Plots, and LR Profiles. The information available from the database, for a main root, comprises its path length (the total length of the root, from base to apex), its vector length (the straight-line distance between base and apex), the angle of its vector from vertical (positive angles being clockwise when looking at the root from the back of the plate), and the number of lateral roots. Lengths are expressed in centimeters and angles are in degrees. For a lateral root, the information also includes its position (the distance along its parent root from its parent’s base).