Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way scientists engineer plants to combat climate change, as researchers at the Salk Institute leverage plants’ natural carbon-capturing capabilities. Using a sophisticated AI tool called SLEAP (Simple Labelling with Easy Annotation of Animal Pose), originally designed for tracking animal movement, scientists are now optimizing plant root systems to enhance carbon storage.
In a groundbreaking study published in Plant Phenomics, Salk scientists Wolfgang Busch and Talmo Pereira introduce a novel protocol for analyzing plant root phenotypes using SLEAP. This approach enables the precise measurement of root characteristics such as depth, width, and mass, facilitating the identification of genes associated with these traits.
Unlike traditional methods that require labor-intensive manual annotation of images, SLEAP streamlines the process by combining computer vision and deep learning techniques. This innovative approach eliminates the need for pixel-by-pixel annotation, significantly accelerating analysis while minimizing human error.
To further enhance SLEAP’s functionality for plant research, the researchers developed sleap-roots, a toolkit that enables the analysis of root system traits such as depth and angle of growth. Tested across various plant species, including crops like soybeans and rice, sleap-roots demonstrated superior performance in annotation speed and accuracy compared to existing methods.
By linking phenotype data obtained through SLEAP with genotype data from genome sequencing, scientists can identify genes responsible for desirable traits, such as deep root systems capable of storing more carbon. This integration of phenotype and genotype data is crucial for developing plants optimized for carbon capture and climate resilience.
The accessibility and reproducibility of SLEAP and sleap-roots are paramount, with both tools freely available for use. The researchers envision widespread adoption of sleap-roots in plant research worldwide, with potential applications extending to space exploration, as evidenced by ongoing discussions with NASA scientists.
The collaborative efforts of the Salk team continue to advance, with ongoing refinements and expansions of SLEAP and sleap-roots. These tools hold immense promise for accelerating the development of carbon-capturing plants and addressing the urgent challenges of climate change.
