The American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) journal HortScience recently published an article that describes a simple, low-cost method for accurate canopy evaluation of citrus. The authors are Taylor Livingston, Amit Levy and Tripti Vashisth of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Citrus Research and Education Center. A summary of the article follows.
Citrus cultivation presents numerous challenges, and one of the key factors influencing crop health and yield is canopy density. Canopy density is a valuable tool for evaluating crop management and predicting yields, but traditional methods are often costly and dependent on specific conditions. Conventional equipment, such as leaf area index analyzers and light meters, can be expensive to maintain and are limited to optimal weather conditions.
In contrast, digital image analysis using smartphone cameras and ImageJ software offers a more affordable and versatile alternative. This method allows for measurement of canopy density under any weather conditions and has been shown to correlate strongly with traditional photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) measurements in Valencia sweet orange trees. It also maintains consistency across various weather conditions, unlike PAR measurements which can vary with cloud cover. This innovative approach provides a cost-effective, flexible and reliable option for researchers and growers.
Key features of the new method include:
- Affordability: Designed with budget constraints in mind, this method requires minimal investment while delivering precise results.
- Simplicity: Easy to implement with straightforward procedures, allowing farmers to quickly adopt and integrate the technology into their existing practices
- Accuracy: Utilizes advanced algorithms and data analysis to provide reliable measurements of canopy density, enabling better-informed decisions regarding irrigation, fertilization and overall orchard management
- Time Efficiency: Reduces the time and labor required for canopy assessment, freeing up valuable resources for other essential tasks
This method can be used to quantitatively categorize HLB-affected trees according to their health status to achieve optimum field evaluations. Because of the ease and adaptability of this method, users can also obtain canopy-density measurements quickly and accurately during any time of year. It is expected to be particularly beneficial for small to mid-sized growers who may not have the resources to invest in more expensive technology.
Read the full HortScience article here.
Source: ASHS
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