Background Measurements of rind and culm thickness and stem radius/diameter are important to biomechanical, ecological and physiological plant studies. However, many methods of measuring rind thickness and diameter are labor intensive and induce plant fatality. A novel rind puncture methodology for obtaining measurements of rind thickness and diameter has been developed. The suitability of the new method for implementation in plant studies is presented. Results The novel rind puncture technique was used to obtain measurements of rind thickness and diameter for samples of Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum). The rind puncture measurements were strongly correlated with caliper measurements (R2 > 0.97) and photographic image analysis measurements (R2 > 0.84). The capacity for high throughput measurements using the rind puncture technique was determined to exceed that of caliper measurements and image analysis techniques. Conclusions The rind puncture technique shows promise as a high throughput method for determining rind thickness and diameter as it is cost effective and non-lethal. The authors are currently working to develop a custom handheld apparatus to allow the novel rind puncture method to be used in field work. High throughput field-based measurements of rind thickness and diameter are needed to help address the problem of stalk lodging (failure of grain crops to remain upright until harvest).

中文翻译：

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一种新的外皮穿刺技术，用于测量植物茎的外皮厚度和直径。

背景 外皮和秆厚度以及茎半径/直径的测量对于生物力学、生态和生理植物研究很重要。然而，许多测量外皮厚度和直径的方法是劳动密集型的并且会导致植物死亡。已经开发了一种用于获得外皮厚度和直径测量值的新型外皮穿刺方法。介绍了新方法在植物研究中实施的适用性。结果 采用新颖的外皮穿刺技术测量毒铁杉（Conium maculatum）样品的外皮厚度和直径。外皮穿刺测量与厚度测量 (R2 > 0.97) 和摄影图像分析测量 (R2 > 0.84) 密切相关。使用外皮穿刺技术进行高通量测量的能力被确定为超过了卡尺测量和图像分析技术的能力。结论 外皮穿刺技术显示出作为一种用于确定外皮厚度和直径的高通量方法的前景，因为它具有成本效益且非致命性。作者目前正在开发一种定制的手持设备，以允许将新颖的外皮穿刺方法用于现场工作。需要对果皮厚度和直径进行高通量现场测量，以帮助解决秸秆倒伏问题（谷物作物在收获前无法保持直立）。结论 外皮穿刺技术显示出作为一种用于确定外皮厚度和直径的高通量方法的前景，因为它具有成本效益且非致命性。作者目前正在开发一种定制的手持设备，以允许将新颖的外皮穿刺方法用于现场工作。需要对果皮厚度和直径进行高通量现场测量，以帮助解决秸秆倒伏问题（谷物作物在收获前无法保持直立）。结论 外皮穿刺技术显示出作为一种用于确定外皮厚度和直径的高通量方法的前景，因为它具有成本效益且非致命性。作者目前正在开发一种定制的手持设备，以允许将新颖的外皮穿刺方法用于现场工作。需要对果皮厚度和直径进行高通量现场测量，以帮助解决秸秆倒伏问题（谷物作物在收获前无法保持直立）。