A TELESCOPIC METHOD FOR PHOTOGRAPHING WITHIN 8X8 CM MINIRHIZOTRONS

A system for photographing within 8 x 8 cm minirhizotrons is described , that uses a telescopic lens instead of an endoscope. A comparison wa s made between the telescope system and the commonly used endoscope sy stem. Photographs obtained with the telescope system are of superior q uality as compared to those of the endoscope system, without a decreas e in the held of view. Photographs obtained by the telescope system ca n easily be aligned in a sequence that shows the entire length of the minirhizotron wall as a single image. Furthermore, the telescope syste m is portable, shockproof cheap, easily repaired, and can be operated by a single person.