HyLength

HyLength measures fungal hyphae and plant root lengths from digital images to quantify plant–fungus interactions.

Key Features:

• Semi-Automated Analysis: HyLength implements a semi-automated digital image analysis pipeline to automate measurement tasks that are traditionally manual.
• Versatility Across Systems: The method is validated for use in both in vivo and in vitro experimental systems.
• Time Efficiency: Automation provides reported time savings of up to 20.5 hours per experimental unit.
• Accuracy Considerations: Measurements are generally reliable but show systematic underestimation of Medicago sativa roots by about 12 cm/m and a similar margin for Rhizophagus irregularis hyphae.
• Performance with Dense Mycelia: HyLength performs particularly well on dense fungal mycelia and dense hyphal networks.
• Whole-Unit Measurement: The tool measures lengths over entire experimental units rather than requiring sub-area selection.
• Benchmarking: HyLength was benchmarked against the AnaMorf plugin of ImageJ/Fiji and demonstrated superior handling of dense fungal networks.
• Error Reduction: By avoiding sub-area selection, the approach reduces user-induced sampling errors.

Scientific Applications:

• Phenotyping: Facilitates quantitative phenotypic assessment of root and hyphal length in studies of plant–fungus interactions.
• High-throughput Analysis: Supports higher sample throughput by automating measurements and reducing sub-area selection errors.

Methodology:

HyLength employs advanced digital image analysis techniques and was benchmarked against the AnaMorf plugin of ImageJ/Fiji, demonstrating superior performance on dense fungal networks and whole experimental-unit measurements.