A Nondestructive Method for Measuring Shoot and Root Fresh Weights

Abstract

A technique is described for obtaining nondestructive estimates of shoot and root fresh weight using Archimedes’ principle that the buoyancy of an object is equal to its volume times the density of the submersion fluid. Apple and peach seedlings grown in solution and sand cultures for 14 weeks were measured periodically using this technique. Destructive measurements also were taken for comparison. Estimated and actual shoot weights were not significantly different for seedlings grown in a solution culture; however, they were significantly different in sand culture. Coefficient of determination ( r 2 ) values of estimated shoot weight regressed on actual shoot weight were over 0.99 for all groups of seedlings.