Tomographic imaging of the soil-root interface is a new and developing technique with the potential to quantify both the roots and the biophysical complexity at the root/soil interface. For example, a study with five barley genotypes showed that while the overall architecture, as measured by root growth angles, varied significantly between them, these differences were consistently detected using x-ray µCT, gel chambers and soil sacs. Single images can be analysed to give information about, for example, the angles of lateral root branching or the position of a pathogen relative to the host, but it is the ability to repeatedly image organisms non-invasively that allows the dynamics of root-soil interactions to be studied for the first time. Current studies using wheat and barley containing different dwarfing genes will be discussed.

 Finally, the ability to genetically modify plants to give specified properties at the root surface is opening up new means to study chemical changes at the root/soil interface. Plants modified to produce phytase provide new insights into the processes of soil organic P transformations and, under appropriate conditions, may also enhance P uptake and yield. Combining appropriate root architecture with root surface properties opens up exciting possibilities for sustainable farming practices.