A modified aeroponic system for growing small-seeded legumes and other plants to study root systems

BACKGROUND: Various growth systems are available for studying plant root growth and plant–microbe interactions including hydroponics and aeroponics. Although some of these systems work well with Arabidopsis thaliana and smaller cereal model plants, they may not scale up as well for use with hundreds of plants at a time from a larger plant species. The aim of this study is to present step-by-step instructions for fabricating an aeroponic system, also called a “caisson,” that has been in use in several legume research labs studying the development of symbiotic nitrogen fixing nodules, but for which detailed directions are not currently available. The aeroponic system is reusable and is adaptable for many other types of investigations besides root nodulation. RESULTS: An aeroponic system that is affordable and reusable was adapted from a design invented by French engineer René Odorico. It consists of two main components: a modified trash can with a lid of holes and a commercially available industrial humidifier that is waterproofed with silicon sealant. The humidifier generates a mist in which plant roots grow, suspended from holes in trash can lid. Results from use of the aeroponic system have been available in the scientific community for decades; it has a record as a workhorse in the lab. CONCLUSIONS: Aeroponic systems present a convenient way for researchers to grow plants for studying root systems and plant–microbe interactions in root systems. They are particularly attractive for phenotyping roots and following the progress of nodule development in legumes. Advantages include the ability to precisely control the growth medium in which the plants grow and easy observations of roots during growth. In this system, mechanical shear potentially killing microbes found in some other types of aeroponic devices is not an issue. Disadvantages of aeroponic systems include the likelihood of altered root physiology compared to root growth on soil and other solid substrates and the need to have separate aeroponic systems for comparing plant responses to different microbial strains. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13007-023-01000-6.