Estimation of leaf area for large scale phenotyping and modeling of rose genotypes

Estimating the Leaf Area of Cut Roses in Different Growth Stages Using Image Processing and Allometrics

“…Therefore, accurate and prompt determination of this parameter is of great importance. Radiation and photosynthetic efficiency, crop transpiration, crop water use, and nutrient use are some of the processes impacted by the LA of a crop [1,2].…”

“…In 1911, scientists suggested for the first time estimating plant LA through its relation with allometric leaf measurements, using the width and length of the leaf [9]. Since then, this method has been applied to different crops such as tomatoes and cucumbers [10], grapevines [11], peppers [12], and soybeans [13], as well as to fruit trees, such as hazelnut [14], and to ornamental crops such as anthurium [15], begonia [16], and cut roses [1,5]. According to Zhang and Liu [16], this indirect and non-destructive approach can provide precise and in situ LA estimations.…”

“…Several models are currently available for rose crop to determine the area of individual leaves [1,17,18], leaflets [5], and stems [19] using allometric measures such as the length and width of leaves or leaflets, the number of leaflets, or the height of the stem. However, despite the economic importance of the rose as a major ornamental crop [1,5], these methods for estimating LA still have several limitations.…”

“…However, despite the economic importance of the rose as a major ornamental crop [1,5], these methods for estimating LA still have several limitations. For example, not all models that have been developed take into account the diversity of existing genotypes [17,19].…”

“…For example, not all models that have been developed take into account the diversity of existing genotypes [17,19]. The limitations also extend to the architecture of the plant, with some models being developed using material exclusively from erect stems, disregarding samples resulting from the bending of weak stems of the plant [1,19]. Additionally, most models only consider a phenological stage, usually harvest, which limits its use along the cultural cycle of the crop and consequently the continuous monitoring of crop growth and leaf expansion.…”