Articles
Non-destructive sensors and modelling to detect apple fruit and tree properties
Article number
1395_12
Pages
87 – 94
Language
English
Abstract
At the applied research centre for pome fruit production in southwestern Germany different tools were constructed to non-destructively monitor fruit development, apple tree canopy growth and photosynthetic active radiation (PAR). The overall aim was to connect preharvest growing conditions with the postharvest/storage sorting results by use of non-destructive sensor data in a black box modelling approach.
We present results obtained from using a commercially available visible/near infrared sensor (Vis/NIR) for proximal reflectance scanning of the fruit skin.
Additionally, we developed an optical device to determine the scattering properties of fruit tissue during growth in the orchard.
The tree canopy structure with height and leaf wall gap information was obtained from a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor mounted on a tractor.
Furthermore, an electric trolley equipped with multi-channel PAR sensors mounted beneath the lower tree branches and in the driveway clear of the trees continually sampled the light interception of trees along the row.
The different sensor set-ups and data processing steps will be presented and discussed in relation to the precision management of fruit production.
This work shows how a close interdisciplinary relationship with commercial companies and non-agricultural based research groups can speed up the development of new sensor solutions for practical use in horticultural precision farming.
We present results obtained from using a commercially available visible/near infrared sensor (Vis/NIR) for proximal reflectance scanning of the fruit skin.
Additionally, we developed an optical device to determine the scattering properties of fruit tissue during growth in the orchard.
The tree canopy structure with height and leaf wall gap information was obtained from a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor mounted on a tractor.
Furthermore, an electric trolley equipped with multi-channel PAR sensors mounted beneath the lower tree branches and in the driveway clear of the trees continually sampled the light interception of trees along the row.
The different sensor set-ups and data processing steps will be presented and discussed in relation to the precision management of fruit production.
This work shows how a close interdisciplinary relationship with commercial companies and non-agricultural based research groups can speed up the development of new sensor solutions for practical use in horticultural precision farming.
Authors
K. Biegert, R.J. McCormick
Keywords
physiological storage disorders, Vis/NIR, LiDAR, Big Data, photosynthetic active radiation
Groups involved
- Division Temperate Tree Nuts
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Temperate Tree Fruits
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Tropical and Subtropical Fruit and Nuts
- Working Group Precision Management of Orchards and Vineyards
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