Source: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA submitted to NRP
REVEALING THE UNSEEN: BRINGING ADVANCED 2D X-RAY IMAGING TO AGRICULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1029307
Grant No.
2022-70410-38433
Cumulative Award Amt.
$177,600.00
Proposal No.
2022-06333
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2022
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2026
Grant Year
2022
Program Code
[EGP]- Equipment Grants Program
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
G022 MCCARTY HALL
GAINESVILLE,FL 32611
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Agricultural X-ray imaging, much like medical X-rays, produces images of plants and agricultural products the human eye could never see. As such, X-ray imaging has gained prominence as an essential diagnostic tool in agricultural and natural resource sciences. Currently, UF/IFAS does not possess advanced 2D microfocus X-ray imaging infrastructure. Therefore, we assembled a diverse (50% from under-represented groups in agriculture sciences), multi-disciplinary, 8-person team to obtain a Kubtec XPERT 80 Cabinet X-ray System (https://tinyurl.com/pyxxs6h7). This ultramodern X-ray imaging system would enhance the team's ability to meet current research needs while expanding access to internal and external users. Our external stakeholders are especially interested in the benefits an X-ray system provides for enhancing agricultural production and natural resource management. A new X-ray system would also expand fundamental and applied research by improving seed quality assessments, facilitating stress-related organ development studies, augmenting invasive species biology and management knowledge, and laying the groundwork for root pathology research while congruently boosting research training opportunities for pre-professionals. Finally, purchasing the requested X-ray system would make UF/IFAS the first and only academic institution in the U.S. to house a complementary suite of seed quality assessment equipment that already includes a chlorophyll fluorometer, robotic oxygen-sensing respirometer, and multi-spectral machine vision system. Thus, our X-ray system creates a university-wide opportunity to expand research, training, and outreach capacity; deliver global leadership in the seed sciences; and advance multi-disciplinary collaboration within and outside the university.
Animal Health Component
45%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
45%
Applied
45%
Developmental
10%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
20624991050100%
Knowledge Area
206 - Basic Plant Biology;

Subject Of Investigation
2499 - Plant research, general;

Field Of Science
1050 - Developmental biology;
Goals / Objectives
Our goals are to acquire a state-of-the-art 2D micro-focus X-ray system to enable fundamental and applied research related to:1) uncovering environmental and management impacts on seed quality variation2) assessing organ development in response to environmental stress3) expanding invasive species biology knowledge and management4) understanding plant root pathology5) training the next generation of seed and plant biologists
Project Methods
We will generate and collect digital X-ray and optical images using a lab-based cabinet X-ray radiography system and ImageBlender® software. Other data to be derived include characterization of internal morphology, counts of objects, spatial measurements, quantification of seed and vegetative traits, and visualization of stress tolerance/intolerance phenotypes. Image analyses will be performed using X-ray system-specific proprietary software. We will use standard statisical analyses to measure and compare parameters of interest.We will use active learning strategies to train internal users, current and future students, and visiting scientists on utilizing the X-ray system and disseminating new insights. A rotating cohort of graduate students and post-doctoral researchers, with coaching from the PI, will assist in managing usage of the X-ray system and serve as technical experts for external users. This cohort will communicate with external users, develop plans for acquiring images based on user needs, make recommendations, and assist in interpretation. Such experiences will augment non-technical soft skills (e.g., problem-solving, interpersonal relationships, dealing with uncertainty, leadership, project management, stakeholder relations) that employers demand but are not necessarily emphasized in graduate training programs. We will also use formal classroom instruction to teach students the fundamentals of seed quality.

Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience is composed of researchers, graduate students, and practitioners engaged in seed-based plant conservation and ecosystem restoration. Seeds are the primary, most-economical means of conserving and restoring plant species. Therefore, it is imperative to form reliable estimates of seed quality for targe species. X-ray radiography enables members of the target audience to visualize aspects of seed quality such as internal pest damage and intactness of embryos. These measurements are used to calibrate conservation activites and form testable hypotheses to better understand the impact of management actions on seed quality. Changes/Problems:One co-PI moved to another institution. This may limit the amount of work conducted towards goal 3 during the next reporting cycle. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project trained 4 gradaute students and 1 visiting international scholar on proper X-ray imaging and analysis. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We communicate results through a dedicated TEAMS site. Graduate students included information in their theses/dissertations and they are generating publications for submission. One student used X-ray images in their thesis defense presentation. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to increase trianing opportunities by incorporting use of X-ray machine in seed biology class. We expect to continue assessing seed quality in collaboration with our international and statewide partners.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We trained 4 graduate students and 1 visiting international scholar on proper X-ray imaging techniques for fruits seeds and embryos. These students went on to assess proportions of filled seeds, internal damage, and presence of pathogens for study species. They incorporated this data in to their ongoing research projects. One student imaged seed fill in response to various management actions and used resultant data in their analysis of seed quality. We attempted to visualize potted tomato seedling roots infected with nematodes. We learned that removal of seedling from soil would be necessary to capture appropriate images.

Publications


    Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23

    Outputs
    Target Audience:The X-ray system was received and installed on 28-Nov-2022. Training occurred from 29-30-Nov-2022. We targeted students, staff, and faculty with interest and current needs for the X-ray system. We conducted hands-on training workshop over two days that included system preparation and calibration, safety procedures, X-ray and color image acquisition, and image processing. We trained 7 M.S. students, 4 Ph.D. students, 1 post-doctoral associate; 1 biological scientists; and 3 faculty members. Trainees brought in samples of target agricultural and natural resource objects then subnitted these to various levels of magnification, incorporation of filter use, and practice customizing image acquisition parameters. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We provided a two day workshop on the system. This resulted in 16 trainees obtaining skills on 2D X-ray imaging. Several trainees developed these skills further via independent usage of the new system. The PI also provided counseling on image intepretation and seed anatomy during the training. The PI continues to do so in a one-on-one framework as more users take advantage of the X-ray system. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We established a X-ray system TEAMS to distrubute information about the system, share images with users, and faciltiate communication regarding image interpretation. We also communicated with external stakeholders via email regarding availability of the system. This follows on an annoucement made to the university community regarding availability of the 2d X-ray system. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue imaging seeds of native plants to understand how habitat of origin and prescribed fire timing influence seed quality. Likewise, we will image infructescences of an important coastal dune building species to examine the influence of latitidunal gradients on seed quality. We expect to further develop imaging capabilities for fruits and seeds of a potential new specialty crop and native grapes. We are also planning a workshop for restoration practitoiners to update them on our work with wiregrass. An important component of this workshop will be to explain how to quickly assess wiregrass seed fill in the field and how this method aligns well with X-ray imaging. we will invite participants to submit seed samples for further X-ray imaging.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? Our main goal during the initial phase of this project was to train potential users on the newly acquired 2D-X-ray system. To that end, we trained 16 students, staff, and faculty on the new system. The workshop increased knowledge of all trainees related to the fundamentals of X-ray imaging, system capabilities,and best practices for X-ray image acquisition. Thereby addressing goal #5 of training the next generation of seed and plant biologists. Graduate students and faculty were subsequently the most frequent users of the X-ray system. They generated images that addressed goals 1-3. Specifically, 1) uncovering environmental and management impacts on seed quality variation - A gradaute student captured images on hundreds of samples of wiregrass (Aristida beyrichiana) seeds in support of on-going research to understand the impacts of habitat of origin and prescribed fire timing on seed fill ratios. Images provided data that enabled calculation of filled to empty seeds. This information was then analyzed for associations between habitat of origin and fire timing. This produced new knowledge on the effects of these variables on overall wiregrass seed quality. Another student and faculty worked collaboratively to assess seed fill of another native species important for rehabilitation of aquatic systems. This project continues under development. 2) assessing organ development in response to environmental stress - Graduate students and faculty were responsible for imaging seeds and fruits of a potentially new speciality crop for Florida to understand how environmental conditions may or may not limit subsequent germination ability. Likewise, fruits of various native grapes were imaged to understand how cultivation techniques may impact rind thickness. Both aspects of this goal are under further development but have already generated new knowledge related to proper system parameters for generating informative images. 3) expanding invasive species biology knowledge and management - Graduate students and faculty imaged specialized stems and seeds of invasive species to determine system capability to uncover internal organ morphology or seed fill. New knowledge emerged regarding the lower limits of image quality for extremely small seeds (e.g., < 1 mm). At the same time, it was discovered that the system could adequately image internal stem morphology.

    Publications