A linear x-ray tube having one or more x-ray sources is configured for insertion into the soil in proximity to a root system of a plant for emission of an x-ray beam detected by a linear array of one or more x-ray detectors. The linear x-ray tube and detector array may be inserted into rhizotrons previously inserted into the soil. Various combinations of multiple x-ray tubes and/or detector arrays may be utilized to customize the x-ray imaging of the root system.