Characterization of the light environment in canopies using 3D digitising and image processing

Abstract

A method to measure light interception by vegetation canopies is presented which uses a 3D digitiser and image processing software. The 3D digitiser allows for simultaneous acquisition of the spatial co-ordinates of leaf locations and orientations. Software for image synthesis is used to make virtual photographs of the real canopy. Information on light interception is derived from the virtual images by using simple features of image analysis software. The method is applied to cotton, grapevine and young mango plants. Calculations are made of light interception at the canopy level, light partitioning between plant organs, vertical profiles of light interception, fisheye photographs and leaf irradiance distribution.