Rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the most important model crops in plant research. Despite its considerable advantages, (phenotypic) bioassays for rice are not as well developed as for Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we present a phenotype-based screening method to study shoot-related parameters of rice seedlings via an automated computer analysis. The phenotype-based screening method was validated by testing several compounds in pharmacological experiments that interfered with hormone homeostasis, confirming that the assay was consistent with regard to the anticipated plant growth regulation and revealing the robustness of the set-up in terms of reproducibility. Moreover, abiotic stress tests using NaCl and DCMU, an electron transport blocker during the light dependent reactions of photosynthesis, confirmed the validity of the new method for a wide range of applications. Next, this method was used to screen the impact of semi-purified fractions of marine invertebrates on the initial stages of rice seedling growth. Certain fractions clearly stimulated growth, whereas others inhibited it, especially in the root, illustrating the possible applications of this novel, robust, and fast phenotype-based screening method for rice. The validated phenotype-based and cost-efficient screening method allows a quick and proper analysis of shoot growth and requires only small volumes of compounds and media. As a result, this method could potentially be used for a whole range of applications, ranging from discovery of novel biostimulants, plant growth regulators, and plant growth-promoting bacteria to analysis of CRISPR knockouts, molecular plant breeding, genome-wide association, and phytotoxicity studies. The assay system described here can contribute to a better understanding of plant development in general.

中文翻译：

---

开发一种基于表型的新型快速筛选方法来评估水稻幼苗生长


水稻（Oryza sativa）是植物研究中最重要的模式作物之一。尽管水稻（表型）生物测定具有相当大的优势，但其发展不如拟南芥。在这里，我们提出了一种基于表型的筛选方法，通过自动计算机分析来研究水稻幼苗的芽相关参数。基于表型的筛选方法通过在药理学实验中测试几种干扰激素稳态的化合物来验证，确认该测定与预期的植物生长调节一致，并揭示了该设置在重现性方面的稳健性。此外，使用 NaCl 和 DCMU（光合作用光依赖性反应期间的电子传递阻断剂）进行的非生物胁迫测试证实了新方法在广泛应用中的有效性。接下来，该方法用于筛选海洋无脊椎动物半纯化组分对水稻幼苗生长初期的影响。某些组分明显刺激生长，而另一些组分则抑制生长，特别是在根部，这说明了这种新颖、稳健且快速的基于表型的水稻筛选方法的可能应用。经过验证的基于表型且经济高效的筛选方法可以快速、正确地分析枝条生长，并且仅需要少量的化合物和培养基。因此，这种方法有可能用于一系列应用，从发现新型生物刺激剂、植物生长调节剂和植物生长促进细菌到 CRISPR 敲除分析、分子植物育种、全基因组关联和植物毒性研究。 这里描述的测定系统可以有助于更好地了解植物的总体发育。