Articles | Volume 14, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-14-921-2017
© Author(s) 2017. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-14-921-2017
© Author(s) 2017. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Research article
| 
28 Feb 2017
Research article |
| 28 Feb 2017
Multi-frequency electrical impedance tomography as a non-invasive tool to characterize and monitor crop root systems
Maximilian Weigand
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Geophysics, University of Bonn, Meckenheimer
Allee 176, 53115 Bonn, Germany
Andreas Kemna
Department of Geophysics, University of Bonn, Meckenheimer
Allee 176, 53115 Bonn, Germany
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Cited
64 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Recent advances in methods for in situ root phenotyping A. Li et al. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13638
- Root Location and Root Diameter Estimation of Trees Based on Deep Learning and Ground-Penetrating Radar D. Sun et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020344
- A new portable electrical impedance tomography system for measuring two-dimensional stem water content distribution Y. Zhu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2022.109161
- Multi-frequency complex conductivity sparse imaging of plant root zone based on space-frequency correlation N. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2023.107630
- Induced polarization applied to biogeophysics: recent advances and future prospects P. Kessouri et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/nsg.12072
- Imaging of plant current pathways for non-invasive root Phenotyping using a newly developed electrical current source density approach L. Peruzzo et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-020-04529-w
- Electrical impedance spectroscopy for non-destructive meat freshness assessment S. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-024-00259-5
- Complex Conductivity Tomography for the Identification of Filling Materials in a Karst Pipeline W. Liu et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-022-02991-4
- High-resolution induced polarization imaging of biogeochemical carbon turnover hotspots in a peatland T. Katona et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-4039-2021
- Robust electrical impedance tomography for biological application: A mini review Y. Li et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15195
- Assessing the extent of citrus trees root apparatus under deficit irrigation via multi-method geo-electrical imaging B. Mary et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-46107-w
- Theory and simulation for low-frequency interfacial polarization of plant root cell S. Izumoto & F. Nguyen https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggaf110
- Field evaluation of broadband spectral electrical imaging for soil and aquifer characterization M. Kelter et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2018.09.029
- Quantification of subterranean biomass and water-soil-plant interaction using geophysical methods: A systematic literature review with the direct method W. Lago et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexres.2025.101185
- Determination of water content and characteristic analysis in substrate root zone by electrical impedance spectroscopy Y. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2018.11.037
- Potential of geoelectrical methods to monitor root zone processes and structure: A review M. Cimpoiaşu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2020.114232
- Imaging soil water dynamics with spectral induced polarization in Vineyards Q. Chaffaut et al. https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggag183
- Optimisation of root traits to provide enhanced ecosystem services in agricultural systems: A focus on cover crops M. Griffiths et al. https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.14247
- The influence of roots on soil's electrical signature K. Tsukanov & N. Schwartz https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhisph.2023.100670
- Exploring the quantitative genetics of traits associated with drought tolerance and yield in Pimpinella anisum L. under different water regimes S. Mehravi et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-023-04128-w
- Time-lapse monitoring of root water uptake using electrical resistivity tomography and mise-à-la-masse: a vineyard infiltration experiment B. Mary et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-6-95-2020
- Comparing two field protocols to measure individual shrubs’ root density distribution C. Cabal et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-022-05657-1
- A probabilistic solution to geophysical inverse problems in complex variables and its application to complex resistivity imaging J. Hase et al. https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggae045
- Embodied Intelligence of Soil C. Merchant et al. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1343/1/012026
- Electrical impedance phase angle as an indicator of plant root stress I. Cseresnyés et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2018.03.004
- Modeling Plant Roots Spectral Induced Polarization Signature K. Tsukanov & N. Schwartz https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL090184
- Field methods to study the spatial root density distribution of individual plants C. Cabal et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-021-04841-z
- Advancing noninvasive and nondestructive root phenotyping techniques: A two-phase permittivity model for accurate estimation of root volume H. Gu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2024.116773
- Multi-Path Fusion in SFCF-Net for Enhanced Multi-Frequency Electrical Impedance Tomography X. Tian et al. https://doi.org/10.1109/TMI.2024.3382338
- Closing the phenotyping gap with non-invasive belowground field phenotyping G. Blanchy et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-11-67-2025
- Time-series variation in the locomotor behavior and vocal traits of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) acutely exposed to organophosphorus pesticide chlorpyrifos M. Zhuo et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.109954
- Using electrical impedance tomography for rapid determination of starch and soluble sugar contents in Rosa hybrida J. Qian et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-82456-1
- The Detection of Self-Similar/Branching Processes in Complex Biological Systems: Analysis of the Temporal Evolution of Impedance Measurements in Tulsi (Holy Basil) Leaves “Ocimumtenuiflorum” R. Nigmatullin et al. https://doi.org/10.1109/TCBB.2021.3107323
- Elevated Atmospheric CO2 Concentration Influences the Rooting Habits of Winter-Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties B. Varga et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063304
- Quantitative phenotyping of crop roots with spectral electrical impedance tomography: a rhizotron study with optimized measurement design V. Michels et al. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13007-024-01247-7
- Regulation of Arabidopsis thaliana Physiological Responses Through Exogenous Electrical Field Exposures with Common Lab Equipment T. Haire et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-017-9725-3
- The contribution of near surface geophysics to measure soil related terroir factors in viticulture: A review C. van Leeuwen et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2024.116983
- Theoretical Development of Plant Root Diameter Estimation Based on GprMax Data and Neural Network Modelling H. Liang et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12050615
- Spectroscopic Approach Toward Unraveling the Electrical Signature of Roots S. Ehosioke et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JG007281
- Electrical characterization of the root system: a noninvasive approach to study plant stress responses I. Cseresnyés et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-019-2959-x
- Sensing the electrical properties of roots: A review S. Ehosioke et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/vzj2.20082
- Technical note: Investigating saline water uptake by roots using spectral induced polarization S. Ehosioke et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2853-2025
- Application of machine learning in electrical process tomography with variable frequency measurement sequences G. Kłosowski et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2025.116770
- Moisture–Conductivity Calibration for Electrical Imaging of Horticultural Substrate P. Zhao et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11090899
- Linking winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L) root traits and root water uptake with electrical resistivity tomography H. Gu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2024.109247
- Noninvasive Analysis of Tree Stems by Electrical Resistivity Tomography: Unraveling the Effects of Temperature, Water Status, and Electrode Installation A. Ganthaler et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.01455
- Small-scale characterization of vine plant root water uptake via 3-D electrical resistivity tomography and mise-à-la-masse method B. Mary et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-5427-2018
- Structural Stability of Urban Trees Using Visual and Instrumental Techniques: A Review C. Linhares et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12121752
- Design and operation of a long-term monitoring system for spectral electrical impedance tomography (sEIT) M. Weigand et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-11-413-2022
- Relationship between wheat root properties and its electrical signature using the spectral induced polarization method K. Tsukanov & N. Schwartz https://doi.org/10.1002/vzj2.20014
- PyEIDORS: An open-source python toolkit for EIT forward modeling and reconstruction of simulated and experimental data B. Chen et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.softx.2026.102704
- Electrical impedance tomography as a tool for phenotyping plant roots D. Corona-Lopez et al. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13007-019-0438-4
- Measurement of Apparent Electrical Impedance of Soil with Water Flow Inside R. Talapessy et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12092328
- Evaluation of spectral induced polarization field measurements in time and frequency domain T. Martin et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2020.104141
- Ground penetrating radar (GPR) detects fine roots of agricultural crops in the field X. Liu et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3531-3
- A Rapid, Low-Cost, and High-Precision Multifrequency Electrical Impedance Tomography Data Acquisition System for Plant Phenotyping R. Basak & K. Wahid https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14133214
- Geophysics as a hypothesis‐testing tool for critical zone hydrogeology M. Dumont & K. Singha https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1732
- Electrical capacitance estimates crop root traits best under dry conditions—a case study in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) H. Gu et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-021-05094-6
- An In Situ Electrical Impedance Tomography Sensor System for Biomass Estimation of Tap Roots R. Basak & K. Wahid https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11131713
- Spectral induced polarization measurements at different mountain permafrost landforms with varying ice contents T. Maierhofer et al. https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggag005
- Electrical imaging of plant root zone: A review P. Zhao et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2019.105058
- Toward high‐resolution agronomic soil information and management zones delineated by ground‐based electromagnetic induction and aerial drone data C. von Hebel et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/vzj2.20099
- Freezing resistance evaluation of rose stems during frost dehardening using electrical impedance tomography J. Qian et al. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-021-02976-w
- Imaging and functional characterization of crop root systems using spectroscopic electrical impedance measurements M. Weigand & A. Kemna https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-018-3867-3
64 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Recent advances in methods for in situ root phenotyping A. Li et al. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13638
- Root Location and Root Diameter Estimation of Trees Based on Deep Learning and Ground-Penetrating Radar D. Sun et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020344
- A new portable electrical impedance tomography system for measuring two-dimensional stem water content distribution Y. Zhu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2022.109161
- Multi-frequency complex conductivity sparse imaging of plant root zone based on space-frequency correlation N. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2023.107630
- Induced polarization applied to biogeophysics: recent advances and future prospects P. Kessouri et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/nsg.12072
- Imaging of plant current pathways for non-invasive root Phenotyping using a newly developed electrical current source density approach L. Peruzzo et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-020-04529-w
- Electrical impedance spectroscopy for non-destructive meat freshness assessment S. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-024-00259-5
- Complex Conductivity Tomography for the Identification of Filling Materials in a Karst Pipeline W. Liu et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-022-02991-4
- High-resolution induced polarization imaging of biogeochemical carbon turnover hotspots in a peatland T. Katona et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-4039-2021
- Robust electrical impedance tomography for biological application: A mini review Y. Li et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15195
- Assessing the extent of citrus trees root apparatus under deficit irrigation via multi-method geo-electrical imaging B. Mary et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-46107-w
- Theory and simulation for low-frequency interfacial polarization of plant root cell S. Izumoto & F. Nguyen https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggaf110
- Field evaluation of broadband spectral electrical imaging for soil and aquifer characterization M. Kelter et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2018.09.029
- Quantification of subterranean biomass and water-soil-plant interaction using geophysical methods: A systematic literature review with the direct method W. Lago et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexres.2025.101185
- Determination of water content and characteristic analysis in substrate root zone by electrical impedance spectroscopy Y. Wang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2018.11.037
- Potential of geoelectrical methods to monitor root zone processes and structure: A review M. Cimpoiaşu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2020.114232
- Imaging soil water dynamics with spectral induced polarization in Vineyards Q. Chaffaut et al. https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggag183
- Optimisation of root traits to provide enhanced ecosystem services in agricultural systems: A focus on cover crops M. Griffiths et al. https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.14247
- The influence of roots on soil's electrical signature K. Tsukanov & N. Schwartz https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhisph.2023.100670
- Exploring the quantitative genetics of traits associated with drought tolerance and yield in Pimpinella anisum L. under different water regimes S. Mehravi et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-023-04128-w
- Time-lapse monitoring of root water uptake using electrical resistivity tomography and mise-à-la-masse: a vineyard infiltration experiment B. Mary et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-6-95-2020
- Comparing two field protocols to measure individual shrubs’ root density distribution C. Cabal et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-022-05657-1
- A probabilistic solution to geophysical inverse problems in complex variables and its application to complex resistivity imaging J. Hase et al. https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggae045
- Embodied Intelligence of Soil C. Merchant et al. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1343/1/012026
- Electrical impedance phase angle as an indicator of plant root stress I. Cseresnyés et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2018.03.004
- Modeling Plant Roots Spectral Induced Polarization Signature K. Tsukanov & N. Schwartz https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL090184
- Field methods to study the spatial root density distribution of individual plants C. Cabal et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-021-04841-z
- Advancing noninvasive and nondestructive root phenotyping techniques: A two-phase permittivity model for accurate estimation of root volume H. Gu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2024.116773
- Multi-Path Fusion in SFCF-Net for Enhanced Multi-Frequency Electrical Impedance Tomography X. Tian et al. https://doi.org/10.1109/TMI.2024.3382338
- Closing the phenotyping gap with non-invasive belowground field phenotyping G. Blanchy et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-11-67-2025
- Time-series variation in the locomotor behavior and vocal traits of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) acutely exposed to organophosphorus pesticide chlorpyrifos M. Zhuo et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.109954
- Using electrical impedance tomography for rapid determination of starch and soluble sugar contents in Rosa hybrida J. Qian et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-82456-1
- The Detection of Self-Similar/Branching Processes in Complex Biological Systems: Analysis of the Temporal Evolution of Impedance Measurements in Tulsi (Holy Basil) Leaves “Ocimumtenuiflorum” R. Nigmatullin et al. https://doi.org/10.1109/TCBB.2021.3107323
- Elevated Atmospheric CO2 Concentration Influences the Rooting Habits of Winter-Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Varieties B. Varga et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14063304
- Quantitative phenotyping of crop roots with spectral electrical impedance tomography: a rhizotron study with optimized measurement design V. Michels et al. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13007-024-01247-7
- Regulation of Arabidopsis thaliana Physiological Responses Through Exogenous Electrical Field Exposures with Common Lab Equipment T. Haire et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-017-9725-3
- The contribution of near surface geophysics to measure soil related terroir factors in viticulture: A review C. van Leeuwen et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2024.116983
- Theoretical Development of Plant Root Diameter Estimation Based on GprMax Data and Neural Network Modelling H. Liang et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12050615
- Spectroscopic Approach Toward Unraveling the Electrical Signature of Roots S. Ehosioke et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JG007281
- Electrical characterization of the root system: a noninvasive approach to study plant stress responses I. Cseresnyés et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-019-2959-x
- Sensing the electrical properties of roots: A review S. Ehosioke et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/vzj2.20082
- Technical note: Investigating saline water uptake by roots using spectral induced polarization S. Ehosioke et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-2853-2025
- Application of machine learning in electrical process tomography with variable frequency measurement sequences G. Kłosowski et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2025.116770
- Moisture–Conductivity Calibration for Electrical Imaging of Horticultural Substrate P. Zhao et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11090899
- Linking winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L) root traits and root water uptake with electrical resistivity tomography H. Gu et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2024.109247
- Noninvasive Analysis of Tree Stems by Electrical Resistivity Tomography: Unraveling the Effects of Temperature, Water Status, and Electrode Installation A. Ganthaler et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.01455
- Small-scale characterization of vine plant root water uptake via 3-D electrical resistivity tomography and mise-à-la-masse method B. Mary et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-5427-2018
- Structural Stability of Urban Trees Using Visual and Instrumental Techniques: A Review C. Linhares et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12121752
- Design and operation of a long-term monitoring system for spectral electrical impedance tomography (sEIT) M. Weigand et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/gi-11-413-2022
- Relationship between wheat root properties and its electrical signature using the spectral induced polarization method K. Tsukanov & N. Schwartz https://doi.org/10.1002/vzj2.20014
- PyEIDORS: An open-source python toolkit for EIT forward modeling and reconstruction of simulated and experimental data B. Chen et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.softx.2026.102704
- Electrical impedance tomography as a tool for phenotyping plant roots D. Corona-Lopez et al. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13007-019-0438-4
- Measurement of Apparent Electrical Impedance of Soil with Water Flow Inside R. Talapessy et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12092328
- Evaluation of spectral induced polarization field measurements in time and frequency domain T. Martin et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2020.104141
- Ground penetrating radar (GPR) detects fine roots of agricultural crops in the field X. Liu et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3531-3
- A Rapid, Low-Cost, and High-Precision Multifrequency Electrical Impedance Tomography Data Acquisition System for Plant Phenotyping R. Basak & K. Wahid https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14133214
- Geophysics as a hypothesis‐testing tool for critical zone hydrogeology M. Dumont & K. Singha https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1732
- Electrical capacitance estimates crop root traits best under dry conditions—a case study in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) H. Gu et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-021-05094-6
- An In Situ Electrical Impedance Tomography Sensor System for Biomass Estimation of Tap Roots R. Basak & K. Wahid https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11131713
- Spectral induced polarization measurements at different mountain permafrost landforms with varying ice contents T. Maierhofer et al. https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggag005
- Electrical imaging of plant root zone: A review P. Zhao et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2019.105058
- Toward high‐resolution agronomic soil information and management zones delineated by ground‐based electromagnetic induction and aerial drone data C. von Hebel et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/vzj2.20099
- Freezing resistance evaluation of rose stems during frost dehardening using electrical impedance tomography J. Qian et al. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-021-02976-w
- Imaging and functional characterization of crop root systems using spectroscopic electrical impedance measurements M. Weigand & A. Kemna https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-018-3867-3
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 23 Aug 2026
Short summary
Root systems are essential in nutrient uptake and translocation, but are difficult to characterize non-invasively with existing methods. We propose electrical impedance tomography (EIT) as a new tool for the imaging and monitoring of crop root systems. In a laboratory experiment we demonstrate the capability of the method to capture physiological responses of root systems with high spatial and temporal resolution. We conclude that EIT is a promising functional imaging technique for crop roots.
Root systems are essential in nutrient uptake and translocation, but are difficult to...
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