On-chip force measurement system for investigating plant-root growth

In this paper, we present a novel microsystem for investigating mechanisms of plant-root growth. To measure a generative force by plant-root growth efficiently, we developed a silicon-based microchannel integrated with MEMS force sensors. We have also developed a protocol for sowing a plant seed onto the micro device and experimentally confirmed that plant-roots can grow through the microchannel filled with agarose-gel medium. By using the microsystems, we successfully estimated the generative force by plant-root growth.