CHARACTERIZATION OF THE LIGHT ENVIRONMENT IN CANOPIES USING 3D DIGITIZING AND IMAGE-PROCESSING

A method to measure light interception by vegetation canopies is prese nted which uses a 3D digitiser and image processing software. The 3D d igitiser allows for simultaneous acquisition of the spatial co-ordinat es of leaf locations and orientations. Software for image synthesis is used to make virtual photographs of the real canopy. Information on l ight interception is derived from the virtual images by using simple f eatures of image analysis software. The method is applied to cotton, g rapevine and young mango plants. Calculations are made of light interc eption at the canopy level, light partitioning between plant organs, v ertical profiles of light interception, fisheye photographs and leaf i rradiance distribution. (C) 1998 Annals of Botany Company.