Sensing and modelling electric fields associated with high frequency excitation of plant roots

Full text: The growth and water use of forest, crops, plantations and pastures are greatly influenced by the spatial distribution of plant roots within the soil. High frequency (low MHz range) excitation methods show potential in the eventual spatial mapping of plant roots in-situ. The current focus is on determining the electrical properties of roots through impedance spectroscopy. In particular, it is important to completely characterise electrical root-soil coupling in order to determine the best method of modelling the induced electric field. The electric field modelling is also supported through experiments performed with prototype electric field probes. Copyright (2005) Australian Institute of Physics