Plant phenotyping methods.

WheatScoper: A lightweight organ-based framework for multi-view wheat phenotyping using time-series RGB images ↗

Accurate and dynamic monitoring of wheat phenotypes is essential for breeding decision-making and crop management. However, RGB image-based phenotyping still suffers from expensive pixel-level annotation, unstable organ-level segmentation across growth stages, and limited multi-trait extraction under complex field conditions. To address these issues, a high-throughput phenotyping framework (WheatScoper) was proposed, enabling organ-level segmentation and plot-level multi-trait extraction. To reduce annotation cost, a structure-aware geometry-assisted annotation (SAGA) algorithm was developed, yielding an approximately 7.6-fold improvement in annotation efficiency over fully manual annotation. To enable efficient organ-level segmentation, a lightweight semantic segmentation network (WheatScopeNet) was developed by integrating parallel hybrid spatial modeling with cross-scale feature fusion. On the held-out test set from the same site and growing season, WheatScopeNet achieved an mIoU of 0.869 and an mDice of 0.930. Leveraging the segmentation results, an automated system was established to extract 41 multi-view image-derived traits (I-traits) across four core phenotypic dimensions. The extracted I-traits supported the estimation of eight manually measured agronomic traits, with R 2 values ranging from 0.477 to 0.697. Notably, the correlations between stay-green-related-traits and yield varied distinctly with viewing-position. Only upper side-view indicators remained significantly correlated with yield, with Side-up final GPAR showing the strongest association, whereas top-view GPAR-derived indicators showed weak associations. Finally, a web-based platform integrating cascaded inference, segmentation visualization, and automatic I-trait extraction was developed. The platform provides an end-to-end solution for field wheat phenotyping and supports breeding decision-making and crop management.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsRGB画像から小器官を分割し、多数の植物形質を自動抽出・推定する手法とプラットフォームが研究の中心であるため、植物フェノタイピング手法として明確に採用。

abstracta high-throughput phenotyping framework (WheatScoper) was proposed, enabling organ-level segmentation and plot-level multi-trait extraction.

Visual-SLAM for the detection of hidden tomatoes in greenhouses by Hierarchical Localization and GLOMAP for robotized harvesting ↗

Advanced crop monitoring inside greenhouses is becoming one of the primary objectives of research centers. High-performance sensors, such as LiDAR or stereo cameras, have traditionally been employed for this purpose, though these often have a high cost. This work proposes a Visual-SLAM system using a monocular camera, which is significantly more cost-effective and specifically tailored for agricultural applications, such as mapping tomato crops in a greenhouse. Tests were carried out on a real tomato bunch, located in the Agroconnect experimental greenhouse. A ROS 2 Humble node was developed to run on the robot in order to capture images of these crops, which were then stored for offline processing. To generate a 3D mapped model for the crop in the greenhouse, the GLOMAP mapper, based on Structure-From-Motion, was integrated with the Hierarchical Localization toolbox. This initial mapping is a foundation for future, more advanced algorithms to analyze growth patterns, and optimize agricultural management. The system leverages a hierarchical localization paradigm based on a coarse-to-fine strategy: it first performs global retrieval to generate location hypotheses, then combines local features within the identified candidate regions. The results show a correct identification of the tomato cluster, correctly characterising the tomato that is occluded and inaccessible by classical vision technologies. The reconstructed 3D model was further validated against manual ground-truth measurements of fruit size, centroid position, and orientation, confirming the geometric accuracy of the proposed low-cost monocular pipeline.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods単なる収穫対象の位置検出ではなく、単眼Visual-SLAMと3D再構成を開発し、果実サイズ・重心位置・向きを実測値で検証しているため、植物器官形質の取得手法が中心である。

abstractThis work proposes a Visual-SLAM system using a monocular camera, which is significantly more cost-effective and specifically tailored for agricultural applications, such as mapping tomato crops in a greenhouse.

A UAV-based sparse-view 3DGS framework for greenhouse strawberry reconstruction ↗

UAV-based multi-view reconstruction is an important approach for high-precision, non-destructive 3D crop phenotyping. However, in greenhouse environments, UAV image acquisition is often restricted to sparse viewpoints because of UAV-induced airflow disturbances and the structural complexity of the greenhouse, which severely hinders accurate 3D phenotyping. To address this challenge, this study develops a task-driven phenotyping framework for constrained UAV viewpoints in greenhouse environments, integrating a vision-triggered flight planning strategy with an improved sparse-view 3DGS pipeline, termed SparseBerry-3DGS, for multi-view image acquisition and 3D phenotyping of greenhouse strawberries in GNSS-denied environments. Specifically, 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) is improved by incorporating flow-guided initialization, depth supervision, and an adaptive pruning strategy, which effectively alleviate geometric collapse and floating artifacts under sparse-view conditions. Furthermore, sequential semantic masks generated by SAM2 are utilized to guide the segmentation of strawberry point clouds, thereby reducing background interference and segmentation errors. Experimental results show that the vision-triggered flight strategy enables stable capture of 16 surrounding images for each target fruit. Under sparse-view conditions, SparseBerry-3DGS improves reconstruction stability, with the average peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) reaching 18.25 dB, corresponding to an 18% improvement. The SAM2-based segmentation module achieves high accuracy, with the mean intersection over union (mIoU) above 0.95. Geometric evaluation based on strawberry longitudinal diameter yielded an of 0.88, supporting the accuracy of fruit-scale geometric reconstruction. For weight estimation, five-fold cross-validation yielded an of 0.90 and an RMSE of 3.62 g, showing better predictive performance than models based on 2D projected area and standard 3DGS point clouds. This study provides a new approach for high-throughput, non-invasive digital crop phenotyping in greenhouse horticulture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods温室イチゴの3D形状再構成と重量推定を目的に、制約視点UAV撮影、SparseBerry-3DGS再構成、点群セグメンテーションを統合した表現型取得手法を開発・検証しており、方法が研究の中心である。

abstractthis study develops a task-driven phenotyping framework for constrained UAV viewpoints in greenhouse environments

Integrating scanning X-ray scattering and fluorescence for multi-scale analysis of seed structure supported by machine learning tools. ↗

Background Understanding the structure of plant seeds cultivated for human consumption and food manufacturing is vital to provide sustainable products as well as to investigate early growth stages. This includes structural variation between different plant species, varieties and cultivars depending on genetic setup, as well as structural modifications upon germination, aging and storing or seed treatment during processing. For plant seeds as multi-component biological materials, structural characterization must extend across multiple length scales, from molecular organization to cellular architecture. Results We apply scanning Small- and Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (SWAXS) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) on yellow pea seeds to combine local structural information on the molecular scale with imaging of cellular structures on the micrometer scale, enabling a comprehensive analysis of hierarchical organization. To identify and characterize heterogeneous regions within the pea seeds, we implement a fitting-free, data-driven segmentation and analysis workflow based on machine learning tools. This approach allows for classification of structurally distinct domains and enables quantitative comparison across samples without relying on predefined models. Furthermore, we incorporate multi-modal analysis by combining structural imaging with complementary elemental information obtained from XRF. The integration of compositional and structural data provides deeper insight into structure-composition relationships. Conclusions This multi-scale, multi-modal approach opens new possibilities for investigating hierarchical structures and their development under diverse conditions and enables systematic comparison between different species or seeds at different developmental stages or exposed to different processing steps. The approach is broadly applicable to various kinds of samples and other hierarchically organized biological materials, which makes it a valuable technique for plant science as well as plant-based food science.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods種子の構造・細胞領域をX線散乱／蛍光イメージングと機械学習ベースのセグメンテーションで定量解析する手法が研究の中心であり、植物器官の構造形質を抽出するため採用。

abstractWe apply scanning Small- and Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (SWAXS) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) on yellow pea seeds to combine local structural information on the molecular scale with imaging of cellular structures on the micrometer scale

Three-dimensional organ segmentation and structural phenotyping of salt-stressed coriander seedlings using the optimized point transformer-based model PTV-SegCo ↗

Salt stress can markedly alter seedling architecture, creating a need for non-destructive three-dimensional (3D) phenotyping methods capable of resolving fine plant structures. However, organ-level segmentation of plant point clouds remains challenging because of leaf overlap, slender stems, ambiguous stem–leaf boundaries, and severe class imbalance. In this study, we developed PTV-SegCo, a task-adapted Point Transformer model for organ segmentation and structural phenotyping of coriander seedlings under salt stress. PTV-SegCo integrates efficient channel attention, gated shallow–deep feature fusion, and a combined cross-entropy–Dice loss to improve representation of fine and minority organ structures. The dataset comprised 60 manually annotated 3D point-cloud samples from 12 cultivation trays repeatedly observed over five acquisition dates under six NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mmol L −1 ). Because the earliest acquisition represented a particularly challenging developmental stage, these 12 samples were used as a fixed early-stage model-selection set, while samples from the remaining four dates were organized into four date-blocked training–validation configurations. Under this internal model-development protocol, PTV-SegCo achieved mean mAcc and mIoU values of 93.05% and 89.05%, respectively, and showed numerically higher performance than its direct backbone PTV-Seg50. These values should be interpreted as internal comparative results rather than as an unbiased estimate of generalization to unseen cultivation trays, and the present results should not be interpreted as establishing the broad competitiveness of PTV-SegCo against other point-based, convolution-based, graph-based, transformer-based, or plant-specific segmentation architectures. After semantic segmentation, reconstructed scenes were metrically calibrated using the known cultivation-tray dimensions, followed by individual-plant separation and quality control. Four reconstruction-derived structural descriptors—plant height, projected area, voxel occupancy volume, and leaf point ratio—were extracted to characterize temporal structural variation under different NaCl treatments. For treatment-level inference, individual-plant measurements were aggregated within each cultivation tray at each acquisition time, with the cultivation tray treated as the independent experimental unit. Independent manual validation showed close agreement for plant height and projected area, with R 2 values of 0.9969 and 0.986, respectively. Overall, the proposed workflow provides a feasible approach for organ-level segmentation and automated 3D structural analysis of small coriander seedlings under salt stress. The extracted descriptors primarily represent reconstruction-derived spatial characteristics and should not be interpreted as direct indicators of physiological status; voxel occupancy volume and leaf point ratio remain without direct external validation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3D点群による器官セグメンテーションと構造形質抽出の手法開発・内部比較・手動検証が研究の中心であり、塩ストレスは適用対象である。

abstractwe developed PTV-SegCo, a task-adapted Point Transformer model for organ segmentation and structural phenotyping of coriander seedlings under salt stress.

From LiDAR point clouds to 3D tree morphometrics: New approach to quantitatively evaluate tree shapes ↗

Abstract Tree crowns are complex, three‐dimensional structures whose morphology varies among species, individuals and environments. Although light detection and ranging (LiDAR) provides high‐resolution, single‐tree point clouds that advance species discrimination and the assessment of intraspecific variation in situ, crown shape is still commonly reduced to low‐dimensional metrics (e.g. crown diameter or crown base height), losing much of its three‐dimensional geometric complexity. We introduce a fully 3D geometric morphometric framework that captures crown shape directly from LiDAR point clouds at both species and individual levels. Pre‐segmented LiDAR single‐tree point clouds of eight temperate forest species were converted into three‐dimensional shape representations using radial bounding volumes (RBVs), which partitioned each crown into a standardized set of vertical layers and radial sectors. Surface points automatically digitized from each RBV formed geospatially aligned, 3D pseudolandmark configurations representing geometric morphometric crown shapes. These configurations served as the input data for multivariate analyses of crown shape variation within and between species. Twelve structural traits, including crown and stem dimensions, were extracted from the same RBVs and integrated into analyses of trait–shape associations. The morphospace of crown shape was structured along different axes of variation in broadleaf species than in conifers. Within these groups, species pairs—such as Fagus versus Quercus and Picea versus Pinus —exhibited contrasting intraspecific morphological gradients, with different structural traits driving shape variation in each. Crown base height and total crown height emerged as the strongest predictors of crown shape. Differences in crown shape among species were primarily captured by symmetric components, with asymmetry providing a negligible signal. Interspecific differentiation was largely driven by architectural variation rather than pure size differences. Morphological differences derived from pseudolandmarks and convolutional neural network features exhibited stronger correlations in conifers than in broadleaf species. We present a reproducible, LiDAR‐native framework for quantifying and comparing 3D crown morphology within and across species. Using the RBV approach, geospatially aligned pseudolandmarks can be derived from any pre‐segmented, single‐tree LiDAR point cloud, enabling scalable, multi‐regional analyses of intraspecific variability. This framework provides a robust foundation for integrating crown shape into ecological, evolutionary, silvicultural and modelling studies, including assessments of environmental effects and architectural constraints.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsLiDAR点群から樹冠形状を抽出・定量化する3D幾何形態計測フレームワークを開発し、再現可能な植物形態計測手法として検証・適用しているため。

abstractWe introduce a fully 3D geometric morphometric framework that captures crown shape directly from LiDAR point clouds at both species and individual levels.

AI-enabled Low-Cost 3D Maize Ear Morphometry Platform at Breeding Scale ↗

Maize ear geometry (length, width, curvature, and volume) is closely tied to yield and grain-filling outcomes, but existing high-throughput phenotyping pipelines remain constrained by the cost, labor, and specialized hardware they require. We developed and validated a low-cost pipeline that reconstructs a watertight 3-D mesh of a maize ear from a single 20-second video captured with a consumer-grade DSLR on a motorized turntable under uniform LED illumination. Camera poses from a multi-seed COLMAP procedure initialize a Neural Radiance Field (NeRF), and a cylindrical holder of known diameter, visible in every frame, provides automatic metric scaling with downstream geometric quality control. Applied to 300 ears spanning a diverse maize inbred panel, 250 (83.3%) passed automated processing and quality control. Skeleton length agreed with manual caliper measurements across all 250 ears (R^2 = 0.964, RMSE = 4.68 mm), and convex-hull volume agreed with water-displacement volume on a 15-ear subset spanning the full size range (R^2 = 0.982, RMSE = 5.26 mL). Residual length error grew with ear curvature, whereas bounding-box height, which records the same straight-line chord as calipers, showed no such trend; the discrepancy therefore originates in the measurement definition, since calipers record the chord while skeleton length traces the geodesic arc. The capture hardware costs approximately 607 USD, and operator involvement fell from roughly five minutes to one minute per ear, with all downstream processing running unattended. The platform provides a foundation for breeding-scale 3-D ear phenotyping.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsトウモロコシ雌穂の3D形態形質を抽出する低コスト画像計測パイプラインを開発し、手動測定および体積測定で技術検証しているため、方法が研究の中心である。

abstractWe developed and validated a low-cost pipeline that reconstructs a watertight 3-D mesh of a maize ear

PhenoStream: A Cyberinfrastructure for Automated and AI-Based Crop Trait Extraction from Aerial Imagery ↗

Abstract The integration of digital technologies for high-throughput field phenotyping is critical for accelerating crop improvement in agriculture. However, extracting traits from remote sensing data remains constrained by fragmented workflows, manual intervention, and limited interoperability among existing tools, resulting in delays that hinder timely biological insight and decision-making. To address these challenges, we present PhenoStream (Phenotyping Streaming), a scalable, end-to-end cyberinfrastructure designed to automate the full lifecycle of aerial imagery–based phenotyping, from data acquisition to plot-and genotype-level inference. The framework integrates automated data ingestion from distributed field sites, geospatial processing, and AI-enabled trait extraction within a unified, user-accessible graphical interface. Its modular and extensible architecture supports adaptable trait modeling and seamless integration of new data sources, enabling deployment across diverse crops, environments, and experimental designs. We demonstrate the system across a large multi-location field trial network of bioenergy crops, where it enables high-throughput characterization of spatiotemporal growth dynamics, genotype-by-environment (G×E) interactions, and predictive modeling of key agronomic traits. By significantly reducing processing latency and manual effort, the platform facilitates near-real-time analysis and reproducible workflows. This work establishes a generalizable and scalable pathway for operationalizing very-high-spatial resolution aerial phenotyping in agricultural research. By bridging data acquisition and analytics, the end-to-end cyberinfrastructure provides a foundation for integrating heterogeneous and unstructured data streams—including remote sensing, environmental, and management data—toward data-driven decision making in agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods航空画像から作物形質を自動抽出するエンドツーエンドのフェノタイピング基盤を開発・実証しており、形質取得と解析ワークフローが研究の中心です。

abstracta scalable, end-to-end cyberinfrastructure designed to automate the full lifecycle of aerial imagery–based phenotyping, from data acquisition to plot-and genotype-level inference.

Integrating soil and canopy sensing to map and relate variability in tart cherry orchards ↗

Abstract Purpose Evaluate how soil and canopy sensing can map within-block variability in tart cherry orchards and identify indicators robust enough for repeatable management decisions. Methods Soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) was mapped in spring 2022 across four commercial tart cherry blocks (8.5–10.5 ha; approximately 3,500 trees per block), followed by canopy sensing in 2023–2024. Canopy structure was measured using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry and mobile terrestrial laser scanning (MTLS) using light detection and ranging (LiDAR), and canopy density using mobile ceptometry. Spatial layers were aligned to per-tree grid cells. An August 2025 campaign compared UAV- and LiDAR-derived tree height with ground-truthed height. Results Soil-to-canopy relationships were weak to moderate but consistent within blocks ( r = 0.10–0.40), with strength and direction varying by site conditions. Canopy density was more strongly associated with UAV-derived volume than height. UAV-derived 90th-percentile height best predicted ground-truthed height ( R ² = 0.89; RMSE = 0.34 m), whereas LiDAR showed a weaker relationship and greater error ( R ² = 0.70; RMSE = 0.52 m). Cross-sensor agreement was moderate to strong ( r = 0.41–0.65). Per-tree rankings were stable between years for UAV height and volume. Conclusion Whole-block sensing revealed persistent spatial patterns that could support management-zone delineation. UAV photogrammetry provided accurate canopy metrics, MTLS offered measurements suited to routine orchard operations, ceptometry added seasonal canopy-density information, and ECa provided soil context. Occasional ECa mapping combined with strategically timed UAV surveys and other sensors as needed could reduce redundant sensing while supporting fertilizer evaluation, pruning, and labor allocation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVフォトグラメトリ、LiDAR、セプトメトリーによる樹冠の高さ・体積・密度の取得を中心に、地上実測との検証とセンサー間比較を行っているため、植物フェノタイピング手法の実質的な適用・検証に該当する。

abstractCanopy structure was measured using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry and mobile terrestrial laser scanning (MTLS) using light detection and ranging (LiDAR), and canopy density using mobile ceptometry.

Combining 3D-multispectral and hyperspectral imaging to identify environmental stress treatments imposed during plant growth ↗

Abstract Non-invasive, high-throughput phenotyping tools are needed that can identify environmental effects on plant structure and function to diagnose factors responsible for reduced growth in commercial and non-commercial settings. In this study, we explored whether the integration of 3D-multispectral (3D) and 2D-hyperspectral imaging (HSI), aided by machine learning (ML), could be used to identify environmental stress treatments imposed during plant growth. Controlled environment-grown Nicotiana Benthamiana plants were subjected to a range of abiotic treatments – including different growth irradiances, heat treatment and drought stress – with the treatments resulting in differences in shoot height, biomass, leaf area and spectral reflectance. ML models were trained to identify these treatments using morphological and spectral traits measured at 27, 29, 31, and 34 days after sowing (DAS). A 3D-multispectral scanner was used to obtain information on plant height, biomass, and leaf area. A visible and near-infrared (VNIR) HSI camera provided detailed spectral information for deriving spectral indices including the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Photochemical Reflectance Index (PRI) and Normalized Difference Red Edge (NDRE). Manual measurements provided baseline comparative data. The 3D-multispectral scanner reliably estimated above-ground traits, with high correlations between manual and scanner-derived measurements. The ML models accurately differentiated among environmental stress treatments, with the fused 3D+HSI model achieving the best overall predictive performance across all evaluated metrics compared with models based on either imaging modality alone. Results demonstrated the effectiveness of combining 3D-multispectral and 2D-HSI data with ML analyses for non-destructive, high-throughput phenotyping. The integration of these techniques enabled non-destructive, high-throughput identification of environmental stress treatments imposed during plant growth.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3Dマルチスペクトル画像・ハイパースペクトル画像と機械学習を統合し、植物形態・スペクトル形質を非破壊かつ高スループットに取得・検証する方法が研究の中心である。

abstractNon-invasive, high-throughput phenotyping tools are needed that can identify environmental effects on plant structure and function

Clustering and classification of soybean leaves based on angle features ↗

Introduction Leaf shape is a genetically determined crop phenotype, and its accurate classification underpins soybean germplasm assessment and genetic improvement. Manual classification is highly subjective and struggles to distinguish morphologically similar leaves, while mainstream supervised classification demands large labeled datasets and incurs high development costs. Efficient feature frameworks for soybean leaf categorization are still insufficient. Methods In this study, 581 biologically replicated terminal leaflets sampled from 194 soybean varieties were analyzed at the single-leaflet level using traditional morphological indices and novel leaf contour angular features. Unsupervised K-means clustering was used to classify soybean leaflet morphological phenotypes; t-SNE was applied exclusively for dimensional reduction visualization, while Welch's ANOVA combined with Games-Howell post-hoc tests was adopted to detect inter-cluster phenotypic differences. Clustering stability and external consistency against manual visual labeling were further quantified via Adjusted Rand Index to comprehensively verify the reliability of grouping outputs. Results The results revealed no significant difference in leaflet edge complexity (p = 0.41) between two manually divided leaf groups distinguished by overall leaf outline similarity; these two morphologically similar leaf clusters failed to be fully separated even though the first two principal components accounted for 90.2% of total variance. For K-means clustering, k = 3 achieved better overall performance with a Calinski–Harabasz (CH) index of 395.55, Davies–Bouldin (DB) index of 1.03, and silhouette coefficient (SC) of 0.38, compared with k = 4. Nevertheless, the angular feature attained an F-value of 951.62 in driving sample reallocation across clusters, serving as the core indicator for fine subdivision at k = 4. Under k = 4 clustering, all six morphological indices differed significantly among the four groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, the number of cross-clustered samples increased from 66 to 119 as k rose from 3 to 4, with 96.6% of cross-clustering attributed to the leaflet contour angular feature. Discussion This research provides a novel reference and technical support for the automated identification and fine classification of soybean leaf morphology.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods大豆小葉の形態表現型を角度特徴量とクラスタリングで自動分類する手法が研究の中心であり、検証指標も明示されているため。

abstractLeaf shape is a genetically determined crop phenotype, and its accurate classification underpins soybean germplasm assessment and genetic improvement.

Nuclear diversity in Charophyceae revealed by fluorescence staining and its implications for genome size estimation. ↗

Main conclusion We established a protocol for reliable nuclear visualization in Charophyceae, revealed diverse nuclear organization across cell types and species, and identified suitable cells for genome size estimation via flow cytometry. Charophyceae are multicellular green algae closely related to land plants and are established model systems for understanding plant evolution. Yet key cellular parameters like genome size remain poorly characterized. We combined fluorescence microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and flow cytometry to characterize nuclear diversity across cell types and species of Characeae and to identify a cell type suitable for genome size estimation. Among three DNA-intercalating fluorochromes, propidium iodide labeled nuclei most reliably. Nuclear morphology varied widely across cell types: mononucleated cells were found in vegetative apical cells, the coronula of oogonia, and spermatogenous filaments of antheridia, whereas multinucleation predominated in other tissues, e.g., cortical cells, spine cells, stipulodes and rhizoids. Nuclei in Chara hispida showed a significant gradient in cross-sectional area along the thallus axis. In the apical internodes, nuclei were larger and more heterogeneous, whereas in the basal internodes they were smaller and more uniform, which is consistent with possible endopolyploidy. TEM confirmed the nuclear identity of crescent-shaped structures. Relatively large nuclei were found in rhizoids and spine cells. Only Sphaerochara canadensis showed an organized nuclei pattern. Whole-thallus preparations did not yield a defined nuclear peak by flow cytometry, but antheridia of Chara tomentosa produced a sharp peak, from which a genome size of 5.32 pg (1C) was estimated. The protocol established here provides a simple, reproducible framework for visualizing nuclei and estimating genome size in Charophyceae, and helps address longstanding questions in this group, such as the mechanisms and functions of multinucleation, the site of meiosis, and genome evolution.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsシャジクモ類の核可視化とゲノムサイズ推定のための再現可能なプロトコルを開発・検証しており、表現型取得法が研究の中心である。

abstractWe established a protocol for reliable nuclear visualization in Charophyceae

PhenoStream: a cyberinfrastructure for automated and AI-based crop trait extraction from aerial imagery. ↗

Abstract The integration of digital technologies for high-throughput field phenotyping is critical for accelerating crop improvement in agriculture. However, extracting traits from remote sensing data remains constrained by fragmented workflows, manual intervention, and limited interoperability among existing tools, resulting in delays that hinder timely biological insight and decision-making. To address these challenges, we present PhenoStream (Phenotyping Streaming), a scalable, end-to-end cyberinfrastructure designed to automate the full lifecycle of aerial imagery-based phenotyping, from data acquisition to plot- and genotype-level inference. The framework integrates automated data ingestion from distributed field sites, geospatial processing, and AI-enabled trait extraction within a unified, user-accessible graphical interface. Its modular and extensible architecture supports adaptable trait modeling and seamless integration of new data sources, enabling deployment across diverse crops, environments, and experimental designs. We demonstrate the system across a large multi-location field trial network of bioenergy crops, where it enables high-throughput characterization of spatiotemporal growth dynamics, genotype-by-environment (G×E) interactions, and predictive modeling of key agronomic traits. By significantly reducing processing latency and manual effort, the platform facilitates near-real-time analysis and reproducible workflows. This work establishes a generalizable and scalable pathway for operationalizing very-high-spatial resolution aerial phenotyping in agricultural research. By bridging data acquisition and analytics, the end-to-end cyberinfrastructure provides a foundation for integrating heterogeneous and unstructured data streams-including remote sensing, environmental, and management data - toward data-driven decision making in agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の航空画像から形質を自動抽出するエンドツーエンドのフェノタイピング基盤を開発・実証しており、形質取得ワークフローとプラットフォームが研究の中心である。

abstracta scalable, end-to-end cyberinfrastructure designed to automate the full lifecycle of aerial imagery-based phenotyping, from data acquisition to plot- and genotype-level inference.

SatCHM (Satellite Canopy Height Model): Leveraging deep learning for site-specific sub-meter canopy height predictions ↗

High-resolution monitoring of forest structure and productivity is essential for effective natural resource management. However, monitoring approaches such as field-based forest inventories or extensive lidar campaigns are costly, time-intensive, and spatially limited. Therefore, inexpensive and accessible methods are needed. SatCHM (Satellite Canopy Height Model) was developed to be an accessible and open-source tool for researchers, allowing for site-specific and temporally flexible predictions of canopy height with limited computational resources. SatCHM requires four inputs: panchromatic satellite imagery, solar and sensor angle metadata of satellite imagery, digital elevation models (DEMs), and lidar-produced CHMs for an area of interest. After SatCHM pre-processes inputs, data is loaded into a collection of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for image-to-image regression. This ensemble cooperates to yield high-resolution predictions (up to 0.5-meter) of three-dimensional tree structure with discernible tree crowns across a broader defined area of interest. After calculating the mean absolute error for each prediction output, the median of these mean absolute errors was 6.06 meters.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods森林キャノピー高と樹冠構造という植物形質を衛星画像等から推定するオープンソース手法を開発し、CNNによる推定と誤差評価まで行っており、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractSatCHM (Satellite Canopy Height Model) was developed to be an accessible and open-source tool for researchers, allowing for site-specific and temporally flexible predictions of canopy height with limited computational resources.

Structural failure in cereal stems under climate extremes: insights from barley head loss. ↗

Structural failure of cereal stems during late-season climate extremes is a critical determinant of yield stability. In barley, breakage of the stem below the spike, known as head loss, leads to major yield losses, particularly in hot and dry regions where the crop is widely grown. Despite a predicted increase in head loss risk due to global warming, current understanding of the genetic, physiological, anatomical, and environmental factors that control head loss remains limited. Overcoming these knowledge gaps is essential to providing a systems-level strategy for barley breeders to develop climate-ready cultivars that are resilient to stem breakage and suitable for industry adoption. Here, we review present knowledge and highlight opportunities for innovation to mitigate head loss through interdisciplinary approaches that combine precise phenotyping through mechanical testing of stem strength and flexibility, high-throughput phenotyping through drone-based spike counting, and genetic modification strategies informed by studies on hormonal regulation and cell wall composition. Coupled with genotypic data, these efforts will enable the development of a genomic selection platform to facilitate future breeding programs. The framework and tools discussed here are broadly applicable to improving stem resilience in other cereal crops.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods茎の強度・柔軟性や穂数を対象とする表現型計測手法をレビューし、機械試験とドローンによる高スループット計測を育種基盤として論じているため、表現型手法が中心的です。

abstractHere, we review present knowledge and highlight opportunities for innovation to mitigate head loss through interdisciplinary approaches that combine precise phenotyping through mechanical testing of stem strength and flexibility, high-throughput phenotyping through drone-based spike counting

How Accurately Can Smartphone LiDAR Document the Exposed Coarse Root Architecture of Scots Pine? A Low-Cost Field Workflow ↗

Coarse root systems govern tree anchorage, yet remain among the least documented components of tree architecture: excavation is irreversible, and established 3D methods rely on specialist scanners and lengthy post-processing. We evaluated whether a consumer smartphone records exposed coarse root architecture metrically, and which traits agree most closely with manual measurement. Four fully exposed Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) root systems in northwestern Poland were scanned with an iPhone 17 Pro running Scaniverse, at about 30 min of acquisition and 5 h of processing per tree. Clouds were registered, cleaned and oriented to magnetic north in CloudCompare; of eight architectural metrics, four were validated against manual references at 95 cross-sections on 44 roots, and four were exploratory. Visible root length (root-mean-square error, RMSE, 22.2 cm, 8.4%), azimuth (RMSE 3.58°, mean absolute error 2.47°) and depth (RMSE 3.18 cm, 14.9%) agreed most closely with the reference; 70 of 77 first-order roots were detected with no false positives. Diameter was the weakest metric and the only one dependent on the operator (RMSE 0.46 and 0.29 cm for two operators on the same clouds). Smartphone LiDAR thus turns an irreversible excavation into a permanent, measurable record of the traits relevant to anchorage, provided that centimetre-level diameters are not required.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsスマートフォンLiDARによる露出根系の3D形態計測ワークフローを開発・検証し、手動測定と複数の根系形質を比較しているため、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractWe evaluated whether a consumer smartphone records exposed coarse root architecture metrically, and which traits agree most closely with manual measurement.

Explainable Machine Learning Prediction of Soybean Lodging Grade and Key Trait Analysis Under High-Density Drip Irrigation Cultivation ↗

To establish an accurate and interpretable prediction framework for soybean lodging grade and clarify the core regulatory traits and differentiated driving mechanisms of soybean lodging under high-density drip irrigation cultivation, 356 spring soybean germplasm accessions were used as experimental materials in this study. Morphological and mechanical traits including plant height (PH), stem pulling force (SPF), internode number (IN) and petiole length (PL) were measured over two consecutive years of field phenotyping. Two composite evaluation indices, plant height/stem pulling force ratio (PH/SPF) and plant height/internode number ratio (PH/IN), were further constructed. Four machine learning algorithms were adopted to develop multi-classification models for soybean lodging grade prediction. SHAP analysis combined with three global sensitivity approaches (perturbation analysis, Sobol’ method and Morris screening) was applied to decipher the regulatory patterns of key traits. The results showed that lodging grade significantly affected soybean grain yield and explained 25–28% of the phenotypic yield variation; yield reduction tended to plateau under severe lodging. Compared with single indicators such as SPF and PL, the two derived composite indices could stably distinguish soybean accessions with different lodging grades and exhibited stronger discriminatory power. Model comparison revealed that the XGBoost model achieved optimal prediction accuracy and generalization stability for lodging grade, with a weighted F1-score of 95.34% on the test set, significantly outperforming the conventional linear model. Interpretability analysis demonstrated that the PH/IN, PH, and PH/SPF acted as the primary positive traits promoting lodging, while SPF was the sole protective trait. Driving factors of lodging presented obvious gradient heterogeneity: mild lodging was dominated by the imbalance of plant architecture ratio, whereas severe lodging was governed by the cumulative effects of PH and IN. Strong interactions existed among all measured traits. The interpretable machine learning framework established in this study can provide theoretical support and technical references for lodging-resistant germplasm screening and targeted plant architecture regulation for densely planted soybean under drip irrigation systems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods大豆の倒伏状態を形態・力学形質から機械学習で推定し、モデル性能比較と解釈性解析を行う枠組みが研究の中心であり、単なる生物学的実験の routine 測定ではない。

abstractTo establish an accurate and interpretable prediction framework for soybean lodging grade and clarify the core regulatory traits and differentiated driving mechanisms of soybean lodging

Herbarium specimens in the age of artificial intelligence: from herbarium image identification to Integrative Taxonomic AI. ↗

Herbarium specimens are physical, verifiable records that form the basis of taxonomic knowledge and biodiversity research. Their large-scale digitization has produced extensive collections of high-resolution images and associated specimen metadata, creating conditions in which artificial intelligence (AI) can play an important role in plant taxonomy, collection management, and ecological research. Early AI applications have primarily focused on automated species identification based on individual specimen images. Although increasingly accurate, such approaches remain limited by their emphasis on single-specimen label prediction and by treating identification outputs as final analytical decisions. Recent methodological advances-including segmentation-based preprocessing, automated trait extraction, structured extraction of label data, detection of potentially misidentified specimens, and multimodal integration of visual, textual, and genetic information-extend AI applications beyond species identification toward broader analytical frameworks, encompassing taxonomic interpretation as well as ecological and biodiversity research. In these approaches, specimens are placed within a shared analytical space, and identification results are used to support comparisons across multiple specimens rather than being treated as final decisions for single individuals. This multi-specimen perspective enables quantitative examination of species boundaries, morphological variation, data inconsistencies, and taxonomic stability within curated collections. In this context, AI serves not as an ultimate decision-maker but as a decision-support tool embedded in expert-guided workflows and biodiversity knowledge infrastructures. These developments can be summarized as Integrative Taxonomic AI, an approach that employs learned morphospaces to interpret and refine taxonomic categories by integrating multimodal evidence and curated specimen data under expert guidance.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物標本画像から形態形質を抽出するAI手法と統合的解析枠組みを中心に扱うレビューであり、植物表現型取得・抽出法との関連が明確。

abstractRecent methodological advances-including segmentation-based preprocessing, automated trait extraction, structured extraction of label data, detection of potentially misidentified specimens, and multimodal integration of visual, textual, and genetic information-extend AI applications beyond species identification

Low-Cost and Rapid Construction of 3D Point Clouds for Field-Grown Cotton and Evaluation of Canopy-Level Traits ↗

Canopy 3D architecture is a critical determinant of light interception, photosynthetic efficiency, and final yield in cotton, yet its rapid and accurate characterisation remains challenging in field conditions. To achieve efficient, non-destructive, and quantitative monitoring of the canopy structure of field-grown cotton, this study proposes a 3D structure-based technology stack for high-efficiency, low-cost, and high-precision phenotyping extraction. This stack directly addresses the technical bottlenecks of traditional 3D data acquisition, namely high cost, long processing time, and low operational efficiency, which have hindered large-scale application. We developed a pipeline that integrates a fast reconstruction algorithm with a scale-recovery mechanism using ground control points (GCPs), enabling the generation of true-scale 3D point clouds from UAV aerial images in a cost- and time-effective manner. Using only 141 UAV images and with a reconstruction time of approximately 20 min, we efficiently reconstructed high-quality, scale-accurate point clouds of two 5.5 m × 5.5 m cotton plots, significantly outperforming SfM-MVS and Instant-NGP in terms of both reconstruction efficiency and point cloud completeness. This method, whose current validation is confined to a single season, one growth stage, and two experimental plots, not only achieves a breakthrough by using fewer input images with high efficiency, but also ensures point cloud accuracy and completeness, showing strong potential for rapid field monitoring and real-time management. Based on the high-quality reconstructed point clouds, we further quantitatively evaluated canopy characteristics at harvest, analyzing the coefficient of variation of canopy height, porosity distribution, and canopy volume fraction. The core shortcomings and optimization strategies for the existing canopy structure were identified, providing scientific data support and practical technical references for precision cultivation management and mechanization-compatible planting in cotton.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像からの3D点群再構成とスケール復元パイプラインを開発・比較検証し、綿花キャノピー形質を定量化することが研究の中心であるため含める。

abstractthis study proposes a 3D structure-based technology stack for high-efficiency, low-cost, and high-precision phenotyping extraction.

Field-based estimation of cotton seedling agronomic traits: Using UAV-LiDAR and weakly supervised semantic segmentation ↗

Accurate estimation of the cotton seedling Leaf Area Index (LAI) is essential for yield prediction and precision crop management. Traditional manual methods are limited by low throughput, while two-dimensional remote sensing techniques often struggle with sparse canopy cover and soil background interference. Although three-dimensional LiDAR presents a promising alternative, existing deep learning approaches typically depend on costly fully supervised point-wise annotations. To address this challenge, this study proposes an end-to-end framework that integrates UAV-based LiDAR, weakly supervised segmentation, and physical parameter inversion. A weakly supervised network, termed CogNet, was developed—incorporating self-distillation and structure-aware label propagation—to achieve precise segmentation of cotton plants using only 10% sparse annotations. Following instance segmentation via Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN), individual plant phenotypic traits were extracted. A nonlinear Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model was then constructed to invert LAI by leveraging allometric relationships between 3D structural parameters and leaf area. Experimental results showed that CogNet achieved an Intersection over Union (IoU) of 85.34%, effectively mitigating overfitting to label noise and achieving performance competitive with the fully supervised RandLA-Net (82.13%). Notably, under the specific conditions of this cotton seedling dataset characterized by strong geometric priors, the weakly supervised model demonstrated enhanced robustness against annotation inconsistencies. The framework attained a plant detection rate of 96.2%, and the XGBoost model delivered high estimation accuracy (R² = 0.879, RMSE = 0.138). This study demonstrates that weakly supervised learning can substantially reduce annotation costs while maintaining model performance, providing an efficient and cost-effective solution for field-scale crop phenotyping.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV-LiDAR、弱教師ありセグメンテーション、個体形質抽出、LAI推定を統合した作物フェノタイピング手法の開発・評価が研究の中心である。

abstractthis study proposes an end-to-end framework that integrates UAV-based LiDAR, weakly supervised segmentation, and physical parameter inversion.

Predicting LiDAR-Derived Canopy Leaf Area Index in Loblolly Pine Plantations with Sentinel-2 Imagery Using a Convolutional Neural Network Approach ↗

Canopy Leaf Area Index (CLAI) is a stand attribute containing information on the real-time health and growth potential of managed pine plantations. Current remote sensing techniques for quantifying CLAI rely on simple linear models applied to satellite multispectral imagery, or on techniques based on light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data that are costly and less frequently collected. This study demonstrates a convolutional neural network (CNN) approach to retrieving CLAI from 10 m Sentinel-2 multispectral imagery with a model trained on gridded LiDAR-based CLAI estimates. We demonstrate large gains in accuracy with the CNN compared to traditional linear models based on vegetation indices (e.g., Simple Ratio), but also clear shortfalls in model skill when predicting “blind” in some spatial domains that were completely excluded during model training. Pixel-scale root mean squared error ranged from 0.34 to 0.64 by domain when exposed to CLAI training data from all available spatial domains, but rose to 0.58–1.74 when predicting without prior domain-specific training. Prediction accuracy was consistently lower when applied to completely unobserved USGS LiDAR-based CLAI estimates. Traditional linear models, in contrast, had the advantage of usually lower prediction error across unobserved spatial domains (0.43–1.98), but with lower maximum accuracy. These results demonstrate a potential route for deploying more complex models for LiDAR “mimicry”, e.g., between data acquisitions widely separated in time, but advocate for the development and use of more stable generalized approaches for use in unobserved managed pine stands.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsLiDARで得た林分の葉面積指数をSentinel-2画像とCNNから推定する手法を開発・比較検証しており、植物キャノピー形質の取得が研究の中心です。

abstractThis study demonstrates a convolutional neural network (CNN) approach to retrieving CLAI from 10 m Sentinel-2 multispectral imagery with a model trained on gridded LiDAR-based CLAI estimates.

TipQuant: a robust algorithm for quantitative analysis of spatiotemporally dynamic activities in tip-growing cells. ↗

Cell polarity and tip growth rely on the dynamic spatial organization of signaling and structural components. Quantitative characterization of these spatiotemporal dynamics is critical for understanding polarized cell growth, yet manual quantification is labor-intensive and existing computational tools often lack the flexibility and robustness needed to analyze molecular and structural dynamics in tip-growing cells. Tip Quantification (TipQuant) identifies the cell apex by detecting the site of maximum expansion and automatically quantifies fluorescence distribution along the plasma membrane and within the apical cytoplasm from live-cell imaging data, enabling analysis of the spatiotemporal dynamics of molecular and structural components in tip-growing cells. TipQuant accurately identified cell apices and quantified the spatiotemporal behavior of fluorescently labeled proteins and cellular structures in Arabidopsis thaliana pollen tubes and Fusarium graminearum hyphae, reproducing manual measurements while reducing user bias and improving efficiency, consistency, and analytical flexibility. The tool also revealed a strong positive correlation between rho-like GTPase from plants activity and apical Ca 2+ influx in Arabidopsis pollen tubes, demonstrating its utility for analyzing dynamic cellular processes. TipQuant is a robust analytical tool for quantifying spatiotemporal dynamics in tip-growing cells, providing a flexible alternative to manual image analysis and enabling studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying polarized growth.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsTipQuantはライブセル画像から植物の細胞先端位置、膜上の蛍光分布、先端細胞質内の動態を自動定量する解析ツールであり、画像ベースの植物表現型・状態取得が研究の中心です。

abstractTip Quantification (TipQuant) identifies the cell apex by detecting the site of maximum expansion and automatically quantifies fluorescence distribution along the plasma membrane and within the apical cytoplasm from live-cell imaging data

Ultrastructural characterization of secretory canals in Peucedanum praeruptorum roots using microscopic sectioning, transmission electron microscopy, and computed tomography. ↗

Plant secondary metabolites are mainly synthesized and stored in secretory tissues. Secretory canal development has been mainly characterized in Apiaceae. The secretory canals of Peucedanum praeruptorum contain pharmacologically active coumarins, but their organ-specific distribution and developmental dynamics remain poorly understood. This study integrated light microscopy (LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray microcomputed tomography (µ-CT), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to investigate canal development, distribution, ultrastructure, 3D architecture, and coumarin accumulation in P. praeruptorum roots. Histological analysis showed that canals adjacent to the periderm originate from pericycle cells, whereas those in secondary phloem arise from parenchyma differentiation; both develop schizogenously. Canal quantity and dimensions varied temporally. Canals located in phloem showed density increasing toward the cambial zone, where cross-sectional areas were smaller. The canal density index increased from September to November, peaking on November 15, then declined. HPLC revealed dynamic accumulation of five major coumarins: content increased from September, peaked on November 15, then gradually decreased. TEM showed that epithelial cells surrounding the canal lumen were rich in Golgi, ER, mitochondria, plastids, starch grains, and osmiophilic droplets. µ-CT volumetric analysis and segmentation generated detailed 3D models, revealing spatial organization and enabling size-based grouping of canals (1000-3000 μm). These dimensional characteristics aligned with developmental progression. This study characterizes the ontogeny, distribution, ultrastructure, and 3D architecture of secretory canals, providing a structural foundation for investigating correlations between secretory tissues and compound synthesis.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods根の分泌道の密度・寸法・3D構造という植物器官形質を、µ-CTの体積解析・セグメンテーションと顕微鏡法で取得・抽出しており、画像計測が研究の中心的要素である。

abstractµ-CT volumetric analysis and segmentation generated detailed 3D models, revealing spatial organization and enabling size-based grouping of canals (1000-3000 μm).

Allometric relationships and growth dynamics of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) as influenced by sowing date: implications for non-destructive leaf area estimation ↗

Abstract Understanding the allometric relationships between leaf area and other plant traits is essential for non-destructive growth monitoring and efficient crop management. However, no comprehensive study has yet modeled leaf area in quinoa ( Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) using simple morphological traits across different sowing dates. This study aimed to quantify allometric relationships between leaf area and plant height, leaf dry weight, stem dry weight, panicle dry weight, and total dry matter, and to evaluate whether these relationships are modified by sowing date. A two-year field experiment was conducted with 12 sowing dates under a randomized complete block design with three replications. Leaf area index (LAI) dynamics were described using a logistic model, and allometric relationships were fitted using power-law equations. The results showed that LAI followed a logistic trend across all sowing dates, with maximum values ranging from 2.7 to 7.9. Plant height provided the most reliable prediction of leaf area (R² = 0.83, b = 1.2), followed by leaf dry weight (R² = 0.72, b = 0.97). The allometric coefficients for stem dry weight (b = 1.54, R² = 0.74) and panicle dry weight (b = 1.95, R² = 0.71) showed greater variability. A striking finding was the exceptionally high allometric coefficient (b = 4.95) recorded on May 6 of the second year, indicating a pronounced shift in resource allocation toward leaf area expansion. Total dry matter was a weak predictor (R² = 0.54), likely due to leaf fall during the growing season. The hypothesis that sowing date modifies allometric relationships was confirmed, as evidenced by considerable variation in allometric coefficients across sowing dates. This study provides, for the first time, a comprehensive set of allometric models for quinoa across multiple sowing dates. Plant height and leaf dry weight are recommended as simple, rapid, and non-destructive indicators for leaf area estimation, facilitating improved crop monitoring and management under diverse environmental conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods草丈や乾物重から葉面積を非破壊推定するアロメトリックモデルを中心に開発・評価しており、植物形質の取得手法が実質的な主題である。

abstractThis study aimed to quantify allometric relationships between leaf area and plant height, leaf dry weight, stem dry weight, panicle dry weight, and total dry matter, and to evaluate whether these relationships are modified by sowing date.

Genome-wide association study of image-based traits reveals genetic architecture of salt tolerance in rice. ↗

Soil salinity is a major constraint on rice ( Oryza sativa L.) production, particularly during the yield-determining reproductive stage. Utilizing a high-throughput RGB platform, we non-destructively phenotyped a diverse panel of 294 rice accessions over two consecutive years. By extracting 60 dynamic image-based traits (i-traits) reflecting canopy architecture and stay-green capacity, and four seed-setting rate-related traits, our genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified 95 significant loci, 35.8% of which precisely co-localized with previously reported QTLs. We further prioritized OsSLT1 ( LOC_Os01g05790 ) as a candidate gene at a reproducible suggestive locus associated with leaf-rolling-related image traits. Transgenic evaluations confirmed that it acts as a positive regulator of salt tolerance at the seedling stage. OsSLT1 was mainly detected in the nucleus, and no significant changes in Na + or K + accumulation were observed in flag leaves under the tested salt-stress condition, suggesting that OsSLT1 may regulate salt tolerance through mechanisms beyond classical shoot ion accumulation. Natural variations in the OsSLT1 promoter were associated with transcriptional divergence. The Hap2 promoter haplotype showed significantly higher stress-induced transcriptional activity. Hap2 was rare in modern indica accessions, suggesting that it may represent a potentially useful genetic resource for future salt-tolerance improvement. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-026-01704-2.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsRGB高スループット基盤による非破壊画像計測と、60種の動的画像形質の抽出が研究の主要なデータ取得・解析手法として明示されているため、GWAS中心の応用研究でも植物フェノタイピング手法の実質的応用に該当する。

abstractUtilizing a high-throughput RGB platform, we non-destructively phenotyped a diverse panel of 294 rice accessions over two consecutive years.

Image-Based Phenotyping for Early Assessment of Radiosensitivity of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) Seedlings Irradiated with Gamma Rays ↗

Calibrating the mutagenic dose is the first practical step of any radiation mutation-breeding programme, and it is usually summarised by the median lethal dose (LD50) or the median growth-reduction dose (GR50). We asked whether an accessible, image-based phenotyping pipeline can quantify the early radiation response of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) seedlings finely enough to estimate GR50 and to rank organ- and pigment-level sensitivities. Seeds of the traditional Paraguayan landrace kumandá pyta’i were exposed to Cobalt-60 gamma rays at 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 Gy, grown in a greenhouse, and photographed at the early seedling stage. A single calibrated photograph (5.1 px mm−1) of 83 seedlings was segmented in Fiji/ImageJ 1.54p and analysed with Python to extract morphometric traits (total, root, and shoot length, root:shoot ratio, tortuosity, and a two-dimensional biomass proxy) and colorimetric traits (CIE L*a*b*, a normalised greenness index, and colour-class pixel fractions). Because the data departed from normality, dose effects were tested with Kruskal–Wallis, Spearman rank correlation, and Dunn post hoc tests, and GR50 was estimated by regression of each trait expressed as a percentage of the control. Total length, shoot length, and the biomass proxy declined significantly with dose (Spearman ρ = −0.40, −0.51, and −0.47; all p < 0.001), preceded by a low-dose stimulation at 100 Gy. Estimated GR50 values were ≈390 Gy for shoot length, ≈510 Gy for total length, and ≈550 Gy for the biomass proxy, within the range reported for other cowpea genotypes. Shoot elongation was more radiosensitive than root elongation, so the root:shoot ratio did not decline; tortuosity showed no dose response. Among pigment traits, the loss of greenness was the most robust signal (a* increased, ρ = +0.62, p = 5 × 10−10; green pixel fraction fell from 0.32 to near zero by 500 Gy). These results show that single-photograph phenotyping resolves a coherent, statistically supported dose response and yields a GR50 estimate usable for dose calibration. For kumandá pyta’i, doses of roughly 300–400 Gy (below GR50) are the most defensible starting window for mutation induction. The framework is reproducible and low-cost, but it is based on one greenhouse experiment and a single genotype, and should be validated across independent trials and cultivars.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods画像取得・セグメンテーション・解析による形態および色彩形質の抽出を中心に、放射線応答とGR50を推定する低コスト画像ベース表現型解析法を提示しているため。

abstractA single calibrated photograph (5.1 px mm−1) of 83 seedlings was segmented in Fiji/ImageJ 1.54p and analysed with Python to extract morphometric traits

Optimizing cell segmentation and downstream processing for plant probe-based spatial transcriptomics ↗

Abstract Probe-based spatial transcriptomics platforms use predefined oligonucleotide panels to detect selected RNAs in tissue sections while preserving transcript spatial coordinates. Accurate cell segmentation is required for reliable transcript-to-cell assignments. This analytical process is affected in plant tissues by cell walls, large vacuoles, and strong autofluorescence, which often reduce boundary contrast and elevate background. Nucleus-only segmentation with fixed-distance expansion can be an alternative approach, but it underestimates cellular area and morphology and reduces the number of assignable transcripts per cell. Here, we present a practical workflow for segmentation and downstream processing in plant probe-based spatial transcriptomics. Using the soybean nodule, soybean seed, rice root, and wheat inflorescence, we demonstrate the applicability of our workflow across species, tissues, and technological platforms. In brief, candidate cell masks are generated from available fluorescence signals and then selected and corrected using two napari plugins. Transcript-informed refinement with Baysor is included as an optional step. Upon benchmarking our approach using a collection of metrics (assignment yield, background/negative controls, and per-cell transcript/gene distributions) and linked segmentation choices to expression-matrix quality and downstream clustering, we demonstrate the potential of our workflow to support the analysis of plant probe-based spatial transcriptomics.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物組織の細胞セグメンテーションとトランスクリプト割当てを改善する実用ワークフローを開発し、複数種・組織でベンチマークしている。植物形態そのものの測定ではないが、細胞レベルの空間状態を抽出する解析手法が中心である。

abstractHere, we present a practical workflow for segmentation and downstream processing in plant probe-based spatial transcriptomics.

A Method for Measuring Plant Spacing of Maize Seedlings Based on Improved YOLOv8 ↗

The uniformity of maize plant spacing serves as a critical indicator for assessing sowing quality, seed vigor, and field seedling emergence stability. However, manual measurement is inefficient, and complex field conditions make automatic seedling detection and plant spacing measurement challenging. Aiming at the challenges of missed detection, insufficient accuracy for small targets, and large errors in plant spacing calculation under complex field conditions, this study constructs a high-quality dataset containing 693 maize seedling images and implements preprocessing enhancement for images degraded by haze or dust. An intelligent maize seedling detection and plant spacing measurement method based on improved YOLOv8 is proposed. The Global Attention Mechanism (GAM) is embedded into the backbone network to strengthen cross-dimension information interaction between channels and spaces, suppress background interference, and reduce the missed detection rate. The Bi-directional Feature Pyramid Network (BiFPN) is adopted to replace the original PAFPN for enhanced multi-scale feature fusion and deep semantic representation. A new 160 × 160 high-resolution small-object detection layer is added to significantly improve the detection performance of weak and small seedlings. Experimental results demonstrate that the improved model achieves a precision, recall, mAP50, and mAP50-95 of 89.4%, 90.3%, 94.4%, and 49.4%, respectively, which are 2.6, 0.5, 1.5, and 2.7 percentage points higher than those of the original YOLOv8 model. These results indicate that the proposed model improved maize seedling detection performance under complex field conditions. Automatic plant spacing calculation is realized based on detection outputs; the average plant spacing of the dataset is 30.42 cm, with a relative error of only 4.93% compared with the preset sowing spacing of 32 cm. The proposed method can efficiently accomplish field seedling identification, plant spacing quantification, and sowing quality evaluation, providing reliable technical support for precision maize sowing, seeder parameter optimization, and intelligent field management, which is of great significance for promoting the intelligent upgrading of grain crop production.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsトウモロコシ幼苗の検出画像から株間という植物形態・配置形質を自動抽出するYOLOv8手法を開発し、データセット構築と性能検証まで行っており、フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractAutomatic plant spacing calculation is realized based on detection outputs

Multi-scale reconstruction of snow-avalanche frequency and vegetation structure using dendrogeomorphology, satellite imagery, and UAV photogrammetry ↗

This study presents a multi-scale framework for reconstructing snow avalanche (SA) frequency and assessing vegetation structural responses in data-scarce mountain environments. The approach integrates dendrogeomorphological reconstructions, satellite-based spectral disturbance detection, and UAV-based Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry, complemented by field data, and was applied to two avalanche paths in the Piatra Craiului Mountains (Southern Carpathians, Romania). Tree ring analyses allowed reconstruction of spatially explicit minimum avalanche chronologies for the 1980–2025 period. These reconstructions were combined with a DEM-based upslope algorithm to derive spatially variable avalanche return periods, revealing the highest frequencies in release and upper-track sectors and progressively longer return periods toward lower-track zones. Sentinel-2 imagery was used to assess the surface footprint of a reconstructed avalanche event in 2018. Among the tested spectral indices, the Moisture Stress Index (MSI) showed the most spatially coherent response, while the combined MSI-NDMI-NBR approach reduced index-specific noise. UAV-SfM photogrammetry supports high-resolution mapping of vegetation structure and surface states. Vegetation was classified using a machine-learning-based object-oriented approach (Random Forest) integrating spectral, geometric, structural, and textural parameters. The multi-parameter feature set yielded very high classification accuracy (Cohen’s Kappa ≈ 0.95). Across avalanche return-period gradients, both UAV-derived and field-based metrics showed a systematic associations between tree height and avalanche frequency, whereas tree age and stem diameter exhibited more variable, path-dependent responses. The proposed framework provides a transferable basis for linking avalanche disturbance regimes with vegetation structure and surface stability in mountain landscapes lacking long-term observational records.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV-SfMと機械学習による植生構造・樹高の高解像度推定が研究枠組みの主要部分であり、分類精度も評価しているため、植物状態の画像ベース表現型計測として含める。

abstractUAV-SfM photogrammetry supports high-resolution mapping of vegetation structure and surface states.

Non-destructive tree volume estimation using mobile laser scanning: Impact of the tree shape on measurement error. ↗

Accurate tree volume estimation is central to forest management and carbon accounting. Allometric equations are widely used but limited in transferability across species, regions, and environmental conditions. Mobile Laser Scanning (MLS) offers a promising alternative through direct measurement of tree geometry; however, the influence of tree shape on MLS accuracy remains poorly understood. This study evaluated MLS-derived estimates of stem diameters, total tree height, and merchantable stem volume against destructive reference measurements from 176 trees spanning eight species (four hardwood, four softwood) in Wallonia, Belgium. A Zeb Horizon RT scanner was used; tree architectural descriptors extracted from the point cloud were tested for associations with measurement error. Across 7,824 stem diameter measurements, MLS achieved a mean error of 0.46 cm, with precision declining above 15 m. MLS-derived height outperformed Vertex IV clinometer measurements for hardwood species (RMSE% = 6.88 vs. 8.78) but performed slightly less well for softwoods (RMSE% = 7.36 vs. 6.14). QSM-based volume estimates systematically underestimated reference values, while taper-based reconstruction produced nearly unbiased estimates with an RMSE of 15.72%. Correlation analyses and PCA showed that tree architectural variables explained only a small fraction of MLS error variability. Diameter and height errors were largely independent of structural attributes, while volume errors showed moderate associations with tree size and crown density. These findings indicate that tree architecture is not a primary source of MLS measurement uncertainty. Future MLS-based forest inventory efforts should prioritize acquisition and processing optimization, as scanning conditions and forest structure appear more influential than tree shape.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsMLSによる樹木形状・直径・樹高・幹材積の非破壊推定を、破壊測定と比較検証し、測定誤差の要因を評価した方法検証研究である。

titleNon-destructive tree volume estimation using mobile laser scanning: Impact of the tree shape on measurement error.

An Intelligent Morphology-Driven Framework for Leaf Venation Analysis and Plant Classification Using Advanced Digital Image Processing and Machine Learning ↗

Automated plant identification based on leaf morphology has gained significant attention in recent years due to its wide range of applications in precision agriculture, biodiversity conservation, environmental monitoring, and botanical informatics. Advances in digital image processing and machine learning have enabled the development of intelligent systems capable of identifying plant species from leaf characteristics with minimal human intervention. Despite these advancements, achieving reliable and accurate classification remains challenging because leaf images are often affected by variations in illumination, complex backgrounds, image noise, differences in orientation and scale, as well as natural leaf deformation. These factors can obscure important morphological features, reduce the effectiveness of feature extraction, and ultimately decrease the accuracy and robustness of automated plant classification systems. Consequently, there is a growing need for intelligent frameworks that can effectively handle these challenges while preserving critical leaf morphology and venation information for reliable plant identification. This study proposes an Intelligent Morphology-Driven Framework that integrates advanced digital image processing and machine learning for robust leaf venation analysis and plant classification. The proposed framework integrates multiple digital image processing and machine learning techniques to enable accurate and automated leaf venation analysis and plant classification. Initially, leaf images undergo preprocessing using grayscale conversion, histogram equalization, Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization (CLAHE), Gaussian filtering, Laplacian sharpening, Gabor filtering, and homomorphic filtering to improve image quality and enhance venation and structural details. The enhanced images are then processed through threshold-based segmentation followed by morphological operations, including erosion, dilation, opening, closing, convex hull generation, and skeletonization, to accurately isolate leaf regions while preserving their geometric structure.To characterize leaf morphology, the framework extracts a comprehensive set of features, including geometric descriptors such as area, perimeter, circularity, aspect ratio, solidity, eccentricity, and vein density, together with Hu invariant moments that provide rotation-, translation-, and scale-invariant shape representation. In addition, the framework investigates the influence of image compression by comparing lossless PNG and lossy JPEG formats to evaluate their impact on preserving morphological features and venation details. The extracted feature vectors are subsequently classified using a Random Forest classifier to categorize leaf venation patterns into parallel, reticulate-pinnate, and reticulate-palmate classes.Experimental evaluation demonstrates that the proposed framework achieves an overall classification accuracy of 93.2%, while effectively preserving important morphological characteristics and maintaining computational efficiency. The combination of adaptive image enhancement, morphology-preserving segmentation, comprehensive feature extraction, and robust machine learning classification makes the proposed approach reliable, interpretable, and scalable. Consequently, the framework has significant potential for applications in digital herbarium systems, automated plant identification, biodiversity monitoring, botanical informatics, and precision agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods葉画像から形態・葉脈形質を抽出し分類する画像処理・機械学習フレームワーク自体が研究の中心であり、植物表現型の取得・解析手法として適格。

abstractThis study proposes an Intelligent Morphology-Driven Framework that integrates advanced digital image processing and machine learning for robust leaf venation analysis and plant classification.

Cabbage Height, Volume, and Distance Measurements Using LiDAR, RGB, and RGB-D Imaging ↗

Conventional methods of plant distance and volume measurements are limited by low efficiency, limited spatial coverage, and high measurement error. LiDAR and RGB-D imaging offer cost-effective, precise, and non-destructive techniques for plant distance and volume measurements. This study aimed to measure cabbage height, volume, and distance using LiDAR and RGB-D imaging. The sensors were mounted on a 1.6 kW electric field scouting platform (EFSP) for data collection. Point cloud (PCD) data were collected using LiDAR, whereas data processing, visualization, and measurements were done using commercial software and open-source programming scripts. A total of 20 cabbage plants were analyzed. LiDAR data processing included data frame screening, outlier removal, denoising, voxelization, and generation of 3D PCD density maps. Depth image processing included importing raw data and metadata shaping using intrinsic camera parameters, visualization, extraction of depth points, and pixel-level measurements of distances and volume. RGB image processing involved image conversion, segmentation, normalization, binary masking, mask cleaning, region extraction of cabbages, separation of ROI and preparation of contours, Delaunay triangulation and convex hull preparation, ROI overlay, bounding box preparation, sharing boundary between two boxes, conversion to pixel distances, and for visualization, plant height, volume measurements, and center to center distance measurement for measuring the plant distance. LiDAR demonstrated higher measurement accuracy for cabbage plant height, circumferential volume (geometric canopy volume), and plant distance, followed by RGB-D imaging, while RGB imagery showed comparatively lower performance under the study field conditions. Overall, LiDAR and RGB-D imaging provided reliable and non-destructive approaches for cabbage geometric characterization under field conditions, although accurately capturing complex plant geometry remains challenging. Positive and negative values of bias represent the over- and under-estimated results, respectively. Future studies should include larger and more diverse plant datasets exhibiting diversified size, shape, and geometric structure to further improve the robustness and general applicability of the proposed sensing approaches.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsLiDAR、RGB、RGB-Dを用いてキャベツの高さ・体積・株間距離を取得し、処理手順と測定精度を比較評価する手法研究であり、植物表現型取得が中心である。

abstractThis study aimed to measure cabbage height, volume, and distance using LiDAR and RGB-D imaging.

RADIX: a deep learning framework that maps root barriers across species and reveals genetic and environmental contributions ↗

Root anatomical barriers, including the suberized and lignified walls of the endodermis and exodermis, and cortical aerenchyma, regulate water and nutrient transport, gas exchange, and rhizosphere interaction. Their adaptive function places them as an important target for breeding environmentally resilient plant species. Quantifying these structures at high resolution is a manual bottleneck that limits experimental scale. We present RADIX (Root Anatomy Deep- learning Image segmentation across species and platforms), a framework that adapts a large self-supervised vision-transformer foundation encoder (DINOv3), pre-trained on billions of natural images, to root anatomy by fine-tuning its encoder with a dense-prediction-transformer decoder. Transferring these general-purpose vision encoders to a specialized biological domain with a high-quality annotated dataset is what allows RADIX to generalize across species and imaging platforms. We train and evaluate it on the first expert-annotated benchmark of root anatomical structures at scale, comprising 1,695 high-quality fluorescence images spanning 17 monocot and dicot species, six anatomical structures, and three imaging platforms. RADIX segments all six structures at inter-annotator-level accuracy and generalizes to unseen species, genotypes, growth conditions, and an imaging platform from an independent laboratory. A single unified model surpasses monocot- and dicot-specialist models without sacrificing in-group accuracy. Predicted masks yield aerenchyma and suberin/lignin measurements matching expert annotation at ∼1.2 s per image with a single GPU, reducing weeks of manual analysis to minutes. Applying RADIX across genotypes, microbial treatments, and growth systems, we show that these cell type features form a coordinated, multidimensional, and context-dependent system shaped by genetic and environmental factors.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods根の解剖学的構造を画像から自動抽出・定量する深層学習フレームワークを開発し、注釈付きベンチマークで検証しているため、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractQuantifying these structures at high resolution is a manual bottleneck that limits experimental scale.

Analytically derived sphere correction enables transferable RGB-D fruit sizing across fruit shapes and depth-sensing principles. ↗

Abstract Depth cameras measure the distance to a fruit's surface, whereas converting its silhouette into physical dimensions requires the depth of its center; corrections for this offset have so far been empirical, and therefore bound to the crop, sensor, and dataset they were fitted on. This paper derives the correction analytically. For a spherical fruit, integrating the surface-depth distribution over the visible hemisphere yields a closed-form sphere correction whose coefficient follows from sampling geometry, together with a theoretical justification of the median mask depth as the representative statistic. Combined with deep instance segmentation on RGB-D imagery of hydroponic melons, the empirically optimal coefficient coincided with the derived value, and the pipeline reached R 2 of 0.966 for fruit length (MAE 1.43 mm), 0.959 for width (1.84 mm), and 0.861 for end-to-end fresh weight (MAPE 4.6%). The analytical form made the measurement transferable. Applied unchanged to cylindrical mini-cucumbers, the pipeline held mm-level accuracy (width MAE 0.52 mm; fresh weight R 2 0.955 after coe cient refitting), with the correction's negligibility predicted in advance by an R / Z corollary; across active-stereo and time-of-flight cameras, the optimal coefficients proved non-interchangeable, identifying the coefficient as a physical parameter that absorbs geometry, sensor physics, and fruit shape. A field system that fuses and cross-verifies the two sensors, with an error-propagation confidence gate and parameterized grading logic, reproduced 2-3% fresh-weight error and 90.9% confirmed-judgment grading accuracy over four validation sessions in a commercial greenhouse unseen during development. Throughout, geometric components transferred unchanged while learned and regression components required recalibration - a boundary the model predicts and the system itself monitors.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsRGB-D画像と深度補正を用いて果実の寸法・重量を推定する手法を開発し、異なる果形・センサー・圃場で精度検証しており、植物表現型取得が中心である。

abstractThis paper derives the correction analytically.

Advances in Binocular Stereo Vision-Driven 3D Perception and Intelligent Analysis Methods for Agriculture ↗

Binocular stereo vision is a low-cost and scalable 3D perception technology that shows strong potential in agricultural phenotyping and smart agriculture. By estimating depth from multi-view RGB images, it enables non-contact, high-precision sensing of crop structure, canopy morphology, growth dynamics, and livestock traits, providing essential support for digital and intelligent agricultural production. With recent advances in deep learning-based stereo matching, multimodal sensor fusion, and 3D reconstruction, its robustness and accuracy in complex field environments have been significantly improved. This paper systematically reviews recent progress in agricultural applications of binocular stereo vision, covering system architectures, traditional and deep learning-based stereo matching methods, point cloud reconstruction techniques, and emerging supervision strategies such as 3D Gaussian splatting. It further summarizes key applications, including high-throughput phenotyping, fruit localization and robotic harvesting, weed detection and precision spraying, autonomous navigation, and livestock body condition assessment, highlighting its role in multi-task agricultural perception systems. Finally, the paper discusses major challenges, including low-texture matching difficulty, occlusions in complex environments, cross-domain generalization, real-time lightweight deployment, and limited dataset availability. Future directions are outlined in foundation model-based visual perception, self- and weakly supervised learning, multimodal fusion, and edge-efficient model design, aiming to support large-scale deployment in smart agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods農業における双眼ステレオビジョンのシステム、ステレオマッチング、3D再構成を体系的にレビューし、作物構造・群落形態・生育動態の非接触計測とハイスループット表現型解析を主要対象としているため。

abstractThis paper systematically reviews recent progress in agricultural applications of binocular stereo vision, covering system architectures, traditional and deep learning-based stereo matching methods, point cloud reconstruction techniques

Integrated in situ structural dynamics and transcriptomic analysis reveal starch remodeling mechanisms in fresh-consumption sweetpotato cultivars. ↗

Starch, a key biological macromolecule accounting for 50-80% of dry weight in sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam.) storage roots, underpins food and industrial applications. However, sweetpotato starch characterization is limited by local-sectioning approaches that fail to capture the whole-root granule dynamics. Here, we established a new morphological observation system covering three key root regions based on two representative cultivars: Okinawa 100 (V100), and Yanshu25 (Y25). It was effective and convenient for in situ starch observation and analysis in sweetpotato roots. The whole-root in situ microscopy, starch physicochemical profiling, and transcriptomic correlation were integrated to resolve starch dynamics in Y25 and V100. We identified widespread simple starch granules (SSGs)-compound starch granule (CSG) coexistence across the whole root tissues, with Y25 exhibiting programmed CSG fragmentation driven by ARCs/FtsZ-mediated amyloplast envelope destabilization and concomitant AMY/BMY upregulation. Y25 had a higher amylose content and a higher proportion of medium/long chains, but the average degree of polymerization was slightly lower. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that the differentially expressed genes were annotated in pathways of carbohydrate metabolism, and the differentially expressed genes in the starch metabolism pathway were analyzed. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis further identified the hub genes from different modules and analyzed the co-expression networks. This work will not only advance the understanding of starch granule assembly and remodeling in sweetpotato, but also provide a robust methodological and transcriptome-guided framework for starch-focused germplasm screening and quality improvement.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsサツマイモ根全体のデンプン粒形態・動態を観察する新しい形態観察システムを構築し、その有効性を示しており、表現型取得法が研究の中心である。

abstractHere, we established a new morphological observation system covering three key root regions based on two representative cultivars: Okinawa 100 (V100), and Yanshu25 (Y25).

Apple Tree Distance and Volume Measurement Using LiDAR and RGB-D Imaging ↗

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and RGB-D camera imaging have emerged as essential tools in agricultural applications, particularly for plant size and distance measurements, enabling non-destructive, cost-effective, and precise estimation. The objective of this study was to measure the plant canopy dimensions and distance between apples using commercial LiDAR, and an RGB-D camera with a speed sprayer platform was used to determine whether LiDAR provides a higher measurement accuracy under field conditions. Data were collected in an apple orchard in Muju, Republic of Korea. Commercial 3D LiDAR, a terminal box, an RGB-D camera, a microcontroller, a power supply, and individual display monitors were integrated into a customized data acquisition (DAQ) box for LiDAR point cloud (PCD), RGB, and depth imagery data collection. Commercial software was used for data acquisition, data conversion (pcap to PCD), segmentation of regions of interest (ROI), and pre-processing of data. PCD processing and measurement consisted of data frame selection, data conversion, outlier removal, downsampling, denoising, ground point removal by filtering, voxelization, and density map generation using an open access programming language script. Depth image processing included importing raw data, shaping metadata using intrinsic camera parameters, visualizing depth images, extracting depth points, and measuring the plant canopy at the pixel level. RGB image analysis involved grayscale conversion, thresholding, segmentation of ROI, contour preparation, noise removal, and binary masking for eliminating the background. Estimated results were compared to measured results. LiDAR measurements showed the closest agreement with the measured results for plant height, canopy volume, plant spacing, and row distance, outperforming both RGB and depth imaging. Under field conditions, plant spacing and row distance were estimated with accuracies of 97.5% and 94.7%, respectively, exhibiting higher measurement accuracies than RGB and depth imagery data results. Despite some discrepancies due to complex plant geometry and dynamic data collection, the results support data collection strategies critical for precision horticulture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsLiDARとRGB-D画像を用いたリンゴ樹の樹冠寸法・体積・樹間距離・列間距離の取得と精度比較が研究の中心であり、植物表現型計測手法の開発・検証に該当する。

abstractThe objective of this study was to measure the plant canopy dimensions and distance between apples using commercial LiDAR, and an RGB-D camera with a speed sprayer platform was used to determine whether LiDAR provides a higher measurement accuracy under field conditions.

MIRA: an open source and user-friendly software to automate counting and sizing of fungal spores ↗

Background The quantification of fungal spores constitutes a fundamental metric in phytopathology, serving as the primary variable for inoculum standardization and being used as a proxy for disease severity. Historically, spore quantification has relied on manual hemocytometry, which remains the most precise counting process to date, where chambers such as the Malassez slide are used to count a subsample of the inoculum. However, this method applied manually is highly labor-intensive, time-consuming, and can be prone to operator-dependent variability. To overcome these limitations, we introduce MIRA (Microscopy Image Recognition & Analysis), a novel open-source software integrating You Only Look Once (YOLO) deep learning algorithms. Featuring a user-friendly graphical interface, MIRA is adaptable to multiple camera systems and supports advanced object detection models, including YOLOv11 and YOLOv26. Results We demonstrate that MIRA can be used to accurately detect and count spores from several phytopathogenic fungi, automatically measure spore surface area, and to differentiate spores across different genera. In an exhaustive comparative analysis using Pyricularia oryzae spores as an example, MIRA was benchmarked against manual gold-standard counting slides (Malassez and Kova) and indirect spectrophotometric methods (SPARK). The P. oryzae model loaded via MIRA achieved a strong correlation (R = 0.96) with manual gold standards while reducing processing time by over 90% for high-concentration samples (10⁶ spores/mL). Beyond this benchmark, we also successfully tested specific YOLO models designed to recognize macro- and microconidia of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense , a model for Pseudocercospora fijiensis , and a single multiclass model capable of identifying six different rice pathogenic fungi. We provide comprehensive tutorials for operating the software and training custom detection models for free using Roboflow and Google Colab. MIRA is available both as open-source Python code and as standalone executables for Windows and Linux. Conclusions MIRA provides a rapid, accurate, and highly reproducible alternative to manual spore counting, effectively removing a major bottleneck in phytopathology workflows. By combining advanced YOLO-based deep learning with an accessible interface and comprehensive training resources, MIRA makes accessible automated image analysis for researchers without programming expertise. Moreover, MIRA drastically improves the efficiency of high-throughput disease phenotyping and can be adapted for a wide range of microscopic quantification tasks across various biological disciplines.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物病害に関わる胞子の画像検出・計数・サイズ測定ソフトウェアを開発し、手動計数法とのベンチマーク検証も行っている。病害フェノタイピングのための画像解析手法が中心である。

abstractwe introduce MIRA (Microscopy Image Recognition & Analysis), a novel open-source software integrating You Only Look Once (YOLO) deep learning algorithms.

Cucumber3DGaussians: Plant architecture analysis using semantic-aware Gaussian splatting ↗

Monitoring continuous agricultural canopies is fundamentally limited by the geometric constraints and computational bottlenecks of traditional 3D reconstruction. This study presents a 3D volumetric phenotyping pipeline integrating semantic mask generation with 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) to quantify greenhouse cucumber canopy architecture. To drive component-specific optimization, we evaluated custom-trained convolutional networks (YOLO11) against a zero-shot foundation model (SAM3), determining that SAM3 provided the necessary boundary precision for accurate spatial isolation. The optimized 3DGS model outperformed implicit NeRF baselines, preserving fine-scale morphological details at real-time rendering speeds ( ≈ 48 FPS). To enable actionable measurement, a uniform voxelization protocol was applied to the point cloud, successfully neutralizing algorithmic densification bias. This technical framework yielded highly accurate physical geometry, achieving a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of ≤ 0.59 cm against in situ leaf measurements. Transitioning to agronomic interpretation, the pipeline was deployed to quantify complex canopy architecture. It mathematically mapped structural congestion zones and provided a temporal validation of a standard pruning intervention, explicitly capturing the geometric increase in lower-canopy porosity and the upward translation of biomass. This framework provides a robust, scale-accurate tool for monitoring plant architecture and guiding dynamic canopy management.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物キャノピーの3D形状を取得・定量化する画像ベースの表現型解析パイプラインを開発し、実測葉寸法で精度検証しているため、方法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study presents a 3D volumetric phenotyping pipeline integrating semantic mask generation with 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) to quantify greenhouse cucumber canopy architecture.

Trait-Specific Contributions of UAV Multispectral, RGB and Structural Features to Soybean SPAD and Plant Height Phenotyping ↗

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery can support plot-scale crop phenotyping, but spectral, RGB and structural predictors may contribute differently to different traits. We compared six predefined feature groups for predicting soybean SPAD and plant height (PH) in a 1.3 ha field experiment in Sanya, China. The field contained 6197 soybean planting plots, of which 234 had paired SPAD and PH measurements. Multispectral bands, vegetation indices (VIs), RGB descriptors and digital surface model (DSM) metrics were extracted from DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral imagery. Six regression algorithms were evaluated using random fivefold cross-validation, spatial block cross-validation and nested spatial cross-validation. Under random cross-validation, ExtraTrees with multispectral bands, VIs and RGB descriptors produced the numerically highest SPAD performance (R2 = 0.589; RMSE = 6.66), while BayesianRidge with multispectral bands, VIs and DSM metrics produced the highest PH performance (R2 = 0.760; RMSE = 7.14 cm). Nested spatial cross-validation yielded R2 = 0.473 and RMSE = 7.56 for SPAD and R2 = 0.690 and RMSE = 8.13 cm for PH. G4 was selected in four of the five outer folds for SPAD, although the selected algorithm varied, and G5 was selected in all five outer folds for PH. VIs improved prediction of both traits relative to the original bands. Adding RGB descriptors produced only a small and model-dependent improvement for SPAD, whereas adding DSM metrics produced a larger and more consistent improvement for PH. The complete feature set did not outperform G4 for SPAD or G5 for PH. The retained models were applied to all 6197 plots to map SPAD, PH and their field relative combinations. Because all of the validations used one field and one UAV acquisition date, the results describe performance within this experiment and do not establish transferability to other sites, years or growth stages.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル・RGB・構造特徴からSPADと草丈を推定する特徴抽出および回帰手法を、複数の空間交差検証で比較・評価しており、植物表現型取得が研究の中心である。

titleTrait-Specific Contributions of UAV Multispectral, RGB and Structural Features to Soybean SPAD and Plant Height Phenotyping

Dual Color tau-STED Super Resolution Microscopy in Arabidopsis Root Tip. ↗

Super-resolution microscopy has transformed our ability to visualize subcellular structures, but its application in plant biology remains challenging due to the optical complexity of plant tissues. Here, we present a detailed protocol for tau-STED microscopy (Leica Microsystems), which combines stimulated emission depletion (STED) with fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) to achieve nanoscale resolution while minimizing phototoxicity. This method leverages time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) to separate fluorescence signals based on their lifetimes, enhancing signal specificity and enabling the visualization of elusive subcellular compartments in Arabidopsis thaliana root tips. The protocol covers sample preparation, fluorophore selection, microscope configuration, image acquisition, and data analysis, providing a step-by-step guide to optimize tau-STED imaging for plant cell biology. By addressing the unique challenges of plant tissue imaging, such as autofluorescence, refractive index mismatches, and light scattering, this approach facilitates super-resolution imaging of intracellular structures, including the plant endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC). This protocol is designed to be accessible to researchers with basic microscopy experience and offers a robust framework for exploring subcellular dynamics in plants with unprecedented detail. Key features • tau-STED integrates STED signals with fluorescence lifetime via phasor analysis at confocal speeds, enabling low-noise super-resolution imaging. • Morphometry analysis workflow at super resolution.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物組織の細胞内構造を超解像で取得・解析する顕微鏡プロトコルであり、植物表現型の画像取得法が中心。超解像下の形態計測ワークフローも含む。

abstractHere, we present a detailed protocol for tau-STED microscopy (Leica Microsystems), which combines stimulated emission depletion (STED) with fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) to achieve nanoscale resolution while minimizing phototoxicity.

Mapping Neighborhood Spatial Structure in Traditional Home Gardens Using UAV-Derived 3D Canopy Models ↗

Understanding the spatial structure of tree communities is fundamental for evaluating ecological interactions and management dynamics in agroforestry systems. However, the structural complexity and small spatial scale of traditional agroecosystems often limit the use of conventional remote sensing approaches. Recent advances in drone-based photogrammetry offer new opportunities to reconstruct the three-dimensional structure of vegetation at high spatial resolution and to quantify tree-level structural attributes. In this study, we applied aerial photogrammetry from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to characterize the spatial structure of agroforestry systems in traditional home gardens (THGs) in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The immediate neighborhood structure of the tree community of 20 THGs distributed along a south–north precipitation gradient was analyzed using two focal species as anchor references: Spondias purpurea and Annona muricata. High-resolution orthomosaics and three-dimensional point cloud models were generated to estimate structural attributes, including tree height, crown area, crown surface area, and canopy volume, which were combined with field measurements of diameter at breast height. Spatial indices describing aggregation, dominance, and neighborhood diversity were calculated to evaluate tree spatial organization and potential interaction patterns. The UAV-derived structural metrics revealed significant differences in canopy architecture across regions and between focal species. Regardless of the focal species, trees in the southern region exhibited greater height, crown diameter, and canopy volume than those in the northern region. Moreover, the spatial arrangement of tree communities also differed depending on which focal species was considered as the anchor, suggesting contrasting strategies of canopy dominance and spatial coexistence. Finally, our results validate the use of drone-based photogrammetry as an effective approach for capturing fine-scale spatial structure in complex agroforestry systems. By enabling detailed three-dimensional reconstruction of tree canopies, UAV remote sensing offers an affordable, simple approach to investigate neighborhood interactions, management effects, and structural dynamics in traditional agroecosystems that are difficult to assess using conventional field- or satellite-based methods.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV空撮フォトグラメトリと3D点群から樹高・樹冠面積・樹冠表面積・林冠体積を推定し、その有効性も検証しており、植物形質取得法が研究の中心である。

abstractHigh-resolution orthomosaics and three-dimensional point cloud models were generated to estimate structural attributes, including tree height, crown area, crown surface area, and canopy volume

Association of morphological markers of flower buds and anthers with the pollen developmental stage in Vicia faba L. ( Fabaceae ). ↗

The precise identification of microspore and pollen at the optimal developmental stages to be induced towards embryogenesis (vacuolated microspores and young pollen) is essential for induction of in vitro androgenesis in plants. Such identification is not always easy, and it is especially difficult in recalcitrant species such as Vicia faba . The present study evaluates the relationship between floral bud and anther morphometric parameters, and microspore/pollen developmental stages in V. faba using various methods including fluorescent staining, differential interference contrast microscopy, and morphometry. We measured flower bud and anther length and width, grouping them at different intervals, and performed a detailed microscopical and anatomical analysis of buds, anthers and microspores/pollen at different stages. Our results demonstrated that flower buds in V. faba exhibit complex and irregular morphologies, with considerable variation in both sepal length and shape. Furthermore, the determination of microspore and pollen developmental stages in this species is constrained by pronounced developmental asynchrony and strong genotype dependence. Although anther length measurements correlate closely with microspore and pollen developmental stages, their practical use can be challenging. Therefore, measuring flower bud length, while excluding sepals, remains the most practical criterion for routine applications. Combining this refined morphometric approach with microscopic validation appears to be the most effective strategy for improving the identification of flower buds containing microspores or pollen at developmental stages suitable for androgenesis induction in this recalcitrant legume species.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods花蕾・葯の形態計測と顕微鏡検証を用いて、微小胞子・花粉の発達段階を推定する実用的な植物フェノタイピング手法を評価しており、方法開発・検証が中心である。

abstractThe present study evaluates the relationship between floral bud and anther morphometric parameters, and microspore/pollen developmental stages in V. faba using various methods including fluorescent staining, differential interference contrast microscopy, and morphometry.

AI-enabled simultaneous phenotyping of leaf vein and stomatal traits uncovers independent genetic control in maize ↗

Abstract Background Leaves maintain hydraulic homeostasis during photosynthesis through the coordinated action of stomata, which regulate gas exchange and transpiration, and veins, which supply water to the leaf lamina. While functional links between stomatal and vascular traits are known in dicots, their potential genetic coordination in C4 crops remains poorly understood. We investigated the genetic architecture of these traits in maize using a Multi-parent Advanced Generation Inter-Cross (MAGIC) population and a low-cost, high-throughput phenotyping platform integrating leaf clearing, digital microscopy, artificial intelligence, and image analysis Results We phenotyped 285 recombinant inbred lines and the MAGIC founder lines, generating 8,072 images from 2,026 leaf samples taken from seedlings grown in controlled conditions. A YOLOv8-based model automatically detected stomata, while a custom and efficient image-processing pipeline quantified vein traits and stomatal spatial distribution patterns along cell bundles. This enabled simultaneous characterization of stomatal density, size, and distribution together with vein density, thickness, and bundle-associated spatial patterning. Substantial phenotypic variation was observed among genotypes, with strong correlations between abaxial and adaxial traits but no significant correlations between stomatal and vein traits. QTL mapping identified 37 genomic regions associated with stomatal and vein traits, including loci containing known developmental regulators such as stomatal density and distribution1 and stomagen1 , as well as novel loci controlling stomatal spatial patterns, divergence between leaf surfaces and veins traits. Conclusions These results support independent genetic control of stomata and veins and decoupled contribution to water-use efficiency, providing a novel genetic framework to independently optimize leaf hydraulic capacity and gas exchange in target environments.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods葉の気孔・葉脈形質を自動画像解析で同時定量する高スループット表現型解析プラットフォームが研究の中心であり、形質抽出手法も具体的に記述されている。

abstractusing a Multi-parent Advanced Generation Inter-Cross (MAGIC) population and a low-cost, high-throughput phenotyping platform integrating leaf clearing, digital microscopy, artificial intelligence, and image analysis

Dynamic Prediction of Maize Tasseling Stage Based on UAV LiDAR Time-Series Plant Height Growth Curves: A Framework Coupling UAV-CHM-POI ↗

Accurate identification and effective prediction of the maize tasseling stage are of great significance for guiding precision field management and ensuring stable crop yields. Conventional manual observation methods suffer from high labor intensity, poor timeliness, and strong subjectivity. In this study, based on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing platform, LiDAR point cloud data and RGB imagery were simultaneously acquired to construct digital surface models (DSMs) and digital terrain models (DTMs). Multi-dimensional statistical features were extracted to establish a high-precision plant height estimation method applicable to the entire growth cycle of maize. On this basis, the Logistic growth curve function was introduced to fit the dynamic changes in plant height, enabling the identification and early prediction of the maize tasseling stage based on the plant height growth curve. The research results indicate the following: (1) For maize plant height estimation, the LiDAR sensor outperforms RGB. The optimal accuracy is achieved by combining the 99th percentile of DSM with the minimum DTM, yielding a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.17 m. (2) Based on the high-accuracy plant height time series, the point of inflection (POI) achieves the highest accuracy in tasseling stage identification, with an RMSE of 2.586 d under the reconstructed time series. (3) Prediction accuracy of the tasseling stage improves with increasing plant height threshold, and optimal performance is observed when the threshold is ≥1.6 m with a growth rate between 0.11 and 0.13. This study establishes a technical framework of "time-series perception-dynamic simulation-feature identification-early prediction", providing a scientific basis for automated monitoring and precision management of the maize tasseling stage. It holds significant theoretical and practical value for the advancement of smart agriculture and crop phenotyping research.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV LiDAR/RGBによる草丈推定と時系列成長曲線から、トウモロコシの抽だい期を識別・予測する技術フレームワークが研究の中心であり、植物形質取得と検証を伴うため採用。

abstractMulti-dimensional statistical features were extracted to establish a high-precision plant height estimation method applicable to the entire growth cycle of maize.

Depth4PH: a vision foundation model-based framework for plant height estimation in agricultural scenes ↗

Plant height is a key 3D phenotypic trait for assessing crop growth, biomass accumulation, and lodging resistance. To overcome the practical limitations of conventional plant height measurement methods, this study proposes a novel vision foundation model-based framework named Depth for Plant Height (Depth4PH) for plant height estimation in agricultural scenes using low-cost monocular RGB imaging. As part of our contributions, a synthetic–real coupled multimodal dataset was constructed by integrating Blender virtual agricultural scenes (Blender VAS) with real field images. Building upon the existing Depth Anything V2 foundation model, we developed a novel module called Transfer-based Agricultural Metric Depth Anything V2 (TAM-Depth V2) for absolute metric depth estimation through parameter-efficient fine-tuning, depth decoder reconstruction, and joint loss optimization. Furthermore, we designed a novel multi-source prompt-based segmentation framework, MSP-SAM2, to generate positive and negative prompts for zero-shot crop instance segmentation. Finally, a new inverse physical plant height estimation algorithm, RANSAC-Per, was introduced to estimate plant height by combining truncated percentile statistics with local RANSAC micro-plane fitting, thereby reducing the effects of depth noise and field microtopographic variation. The result showed that TAM-Depth V2 achieved stable absolute depth estimation, with an RMSE of 0.1162 m and an AbsRel of 4.25%. Compared to the original box-prompted SAM 2, MSP-SAM2 achieved a 4.4% improvement in mIoU, reaching 91.6% and a recall of 93.2%. On a 350-plant multi-crop test set, Depth4PH achieved R 2 = 0.948, RMSE = 12.23 cm, and MAE = 8.82 cm, and MAPE =10.15%, with crop-specific RMSEs ranging from 3.99 cm (cucumber) to 20.73 cm (maize), significantly outperforming the traditional Global-MinMax baseline (which had an RMSE of 22.62 cm). These results indicate that Depth4PH provides a promising foundational pathway for high-throughput crop phenotyping. With future optimization for edge deployment, it holds significant potential to support high-throughput monitoring in precision agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物高の画像取得・深度推定・セグメンテーション・高さ抽出アルゴリズムを一体化した植物表現型計測フレームワークの開発と検証が中心であり、データセット構築と性能評価も含む。

abstractthis study proposes a novel vision foundation model-based framework named Depth for Plant Height (Depth4PH) for plant height estimation in agricultural scenes using low-cost monocular RGB imaging.

RT-ZSDR: A real-time zero-shot segmentation and dense reconstruction framework for plant phenotyping robot ↗

Annotation scarcity, poor model generalization and lagged data processing remain key bottlenecks hindering the practical deployment of phenotyping robots. To address these issues, we developed a novel phenotyping robot capable of online 3D reconstruction and zero-shot segmentation directly on the edge. Diverging from conventional semantic SLAM, our core contribution is RT-ZSDR, a framework featuring two key methodological novelties. First, we introduce the ForeCut pipeline for target extraction, which innovatively fuses DINO features with 3D geometric spatial information, leveraging multi-view semantic-spatial consistency to achieve annotation-free, zero-shot dense segmentation and reconstruction. Second, we designed a hardware-coupled loop closure strategy utilizing the robotic arm's kinematic feedback as prior constraints to significantly improve loop closure recall. Supported by edge computing Jetson Orin NX, the tracking and segmentation process takes approximately 0.24 s per frame after an initialization period of 1.82 s. RT-ZSDR's phenotypic measurements demonstrated strong correlations with reference baseline in both laboratory settings (n=90, PlantEye measurements as reference baseline; R 2 =0.990, 0.939, 0.725, and 0.861 for plant height, projected leaf area, surface area, and volume) and practical greenhouse environments (n=48, manual measurements as reference baseline; R 2 =0.965, 0.862 for plant height and stem diameter). Additionally, evaluated against COLMAP benchmarks (n=24), the system achieved a mean 3D reconstruction F1-score of 0.816.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物フェノタイピングロボット向けに、ゼロショット分割・3D再構成・エッジ処理を開発し、植物形質を基準測定およびベンチマークと比較検証しており、取得・抽出手法が研究の中心である。

abstractwe developed a novel phenotyping robot capable of online 3D reconstruction and zero-shot segmentation directly on the edge.

HagPF: Hierarchical-annotation-guided phenotypic framework for stem instance segmentation and length measurement in plant point clouds ↗

As a critical structural component that connects almost all other types of plant organs, the stem system not only supports the weight of the total plant, but also serves as a vital channel for nutriment transportation. Accurate phenotypic measurement of stem instances is of practical significance for assessing crop growth dynamics and predicting yield. To address current 3D phenotyping challenges of crops such as the difficulty in separating stem segments from the stem system and the low accuracy in stem length measurement, we propose a Hierarchical-annotation-guided Phenotypic Framework (HagPF) for Stem Instance Segmentation and Length Measurement in plant point clouds. Specifically, a hierarchical leaf-stem organ instance annotation strategy is devised to effectively train a PSegNet network for leaf and stem instance segmentation. The segmentation is then followed by a shape-adaptive measurement algorithm to automatically measure the length of stem segments that are morphologically diverse in space. On a 3D dataset comprising four crop species, the proposed framework achieved an Intersection over Union (IoU) of 95.45% for organ semantic segmentation and a Mean Weighted Coverage (mWCov) of 87.87% for instance segmentation (both stem and leaf). Regarding to the stem length measurement, the method obtained an average Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 1.044 cm and a relative error of 11.907%, outperforming 7 mainstream methods. The relevant dataset and source code can be found at: https://github.com/Jinx00/stem-length-measurement .

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物点群から茎のインスタンスを分割し、茎長を自動測定する3D表現型解析フレームワークの開発・比較検証が中心である。

abstractwe propose a Hierarchical-annotation-guided Phenotypic Framework (HagPF) for Stem Instance Segmentation and Length Measurement in plant point clouds.

Smartphone-based high-fidelity 3D semantic segmentation of finger millet panicles using 3D Gaussian splatting for automated phenotyping and yield estimation ↗

Finger millet is an important cereal crop widely cultivated worldwide for food and fodder. Breeding programs aim to select genotypes with desirable architectural traits to develop new varieties with higher yields. In this effort, accurate high-throughput plant phenotyping is essential for accelerating crop improvement. To overcome the time-consuming and labor-intensive process of manual measurements, this study presents a comprehensive 3D imaging pipeline that leverages neural radiance fields (NeRF), 3D gaussian splatting (3DGS), and its advanced extensions (e.g., Feature 3DGS and Gaussian Grouping) to reconstruct, segment, and analyze finger millet yield component traits using multi-view 2D images. First, multiple-view RGB images of a single finger millet plant were captured, and COLMAP was then utilized to estimate the camera poses of the images and reconstruct the sparse point cloud, followed by advanced 3D reconstruction through 3DGS and NeRF. Second, feature 3DGS and gaussian grouping models were used to generate the 3D gaussian representation of finger millet panicles. This single-process framework enabled the generation of high-fidelity 3D point clouds and semantic feature fields without the need for expensive depth sensors or manual annotations. Our results demonstrated the effectiveness of these models in capturing morphological variations across different panicle phenotypes, including compact versus open panicle architectures. In addition, the 3D point clouds of the panicles were utilized to extract structural traits for yield prediction, achieving biologically meaningful correlations with grain productivity. This work highlights the potential of 3DGS-based phenotyping pipelines as a low-cost, near real-time, photorealistic solution for trait quantification, segmentation, and yield estimation in real-world agricultural settings.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3D画像再構成・セグメンテーション・形質抽出を統合した植物フェノタイピング手法の開発が中心であり、収量関連形質の定量と予測まで技術的に評価している。

abstractthis study presents a comprehensive 3D imaging pipeline that leverages neural radiance fields (NeRF), 3D gaussian splatting (3DGS), and its advanced extensions (e.g., Feature 3DGS and Gaussian Grouping) to reconstruct, segment, and analyze finger millet yield component traits using multi-view 2D images.

A multi-sensor stabilized phenotyping platform for accurate wheat canopy sensing in unstructured field environments ↗

To address the challenges of insufficient sensor stability and poor consistency among multi-source data during crop phenotyping in unstructured field environments, this study develops a hardware-software co-optimization framework for wheat canopy sensing based on a four-wheel-drive, high-clearance phenotyping platform. A multi-sensor stabilization device integrated with an ESO-LQR control strategy suppresses pitch disturbances during motion. A ROS-based hierarchical framework coordinates LiDAR, cameras, and inertial sensors, while spatial calibration and timestamp-based software synchronization ensure spatiotemporal consistency. A tightly coupled LiDAR-IMU SLAM algorithm enables centimeter-level 3D reconstruction of farmland. To mitigate terrain effects, a two-stage ground point extraction method integrating verticality and spatial distribution features improves canopy height estimation. Field experiments demonstrate stable platform operation at 1.5 m s⁻¹ while maintain high efficiency and data quality, with a coverage efficiency of 95.2%, retained-point ratio of 85.3%, and an MTF of 0.35 for image clarity. Phenotypic evaluation shows strong agreement between predicted wheat plant height and manual measurements, with R² values of 0.898 and 0.729 and RMSE values of 1.30 cm and 1.64 cm at the jointing and grain-filling stages, respectively. Moreover, at the jointing stage, both the 2D green area index (GAI) and the 3D point-cloud-based canopy coverage exhibit strong consistency with ImageJ-derived results (R² = 0.873 and 0.910). These findings demonstrate that the proposed approach enables stable and efficient acquisition of crop phenotypic information in complex field environments, providing a solid technical foundation for digital field monitoring, data-driven crop management, and intelligent agricultural systems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods小麦キャノピーの表現型取得を目的としたマルチセンサープラットフォーム、データ同期・3D再構成・キャノピー高さ推定を開発し、手動測定やImageJとの一致性を検証しているため、方法が研究の中心である。

abstractthis study develops a hardware-software co-optimization framework for wheat canopy sensing based on a four-wheel-drive, high-clearance phenotyping platform.

Genomic selection and genome-wide association studies using UAV-derived plant height and aboveground biomass of maize ↗

Plant height (PH) and aboveground biomass (AGB) are critical agronomic traits that determine the yield potential of maize ( Zea mays L . ). However, the application of genomic selection (GS) and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in maize breeding is often hindered by the limitations of phenotypic data collection, which is typically characterized by low throughput and inadequate accuracy. To address this challenge, we employed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with LiDAR and RGB cameras for high-throughput assessment of pH and AGB in a panel of 817 maize hybrids derived from 364 inbred lines over two growing seasons. Our results demonstrated that the integration of UAV-derived LiDAR point clouds with crop surface models (CSMs) enabled robust estimation of pH across multiple years ( R 2 > 0.90). Furthermore, a three-dimensional AGB estimation model was developed using UAV-derived PH and canopy coverage (CC), achieving high estimation accuracy ( R 2 > 0.83). Subsequently, the UAV-derived PH and AGB were utilized for GS and GWAS analyses. Replicated 10-fold cross-validation showed that the mean predictability was 0.504 for PH and 0.402 for AGB across eight commonly used GS models. Moreover, of the 66,066 potential crosses derived from the 364 inbred lines, the top 200 crosses selected for AGB showed up to twice the AGB of the bottom 200 crosses. Field validation demonstrated that the mean ear weight (EW) in the AGB top group was 39.0% higher than that in the bottom group. A total of 16 and 11 significant SNPs were identified by at least two GWAS methods for PH and AGB, respectively. Based on these SNPs, 81 candidate genes were functionally annotated, six of which were simultaneously associated with both traits. The candidate gene association analysis suggested that variations in the promoter region of ZmFLA9 may affect both traits. Overall, our study highlights the potential of UAV-based high-throughput phenotyping to accelerate maize genomic breeding by enabling rapid, precise, and large-scale trait assessment.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVのLiDAR・RGBデータから草丈と地上部バイオマスを推定する高スループット表現型測定モデルを開発・検証しており、フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心です。

abstractwe employed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with LiDAR and RGB cameras for high-throughput assessment of pH and AGB

Dynamic analysis of canopy coverage traits and their genetic basis in wheat under multiple environments ↗

The extent of canopy coverage (CC) prior to the booting stage is a useful indicator of environmental adaptation and may help anticipate key developmental events such as heading and flowering. We used UAV-based high-throughput phenotyping to monitor CC in a 262-line F 8 recombinant inbred line population grown under four irrigation-year environments across two seasons. To quantify CC dynamics, we fitted regression models using either days after sowing (DAS) or accumulated active temperature (AT). These models showed a high goodness-of-fit (overall coefficient of determination ( R 2 ) > 0.90 across environments; per-timepoint prediction R 2 = 0.60‒0.99 with root mean squared error (RMSE) = 0.00‒0.02) and were used to derive 31 CC-related traits. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the first two components explained 80.00% of total variance in CC traits, with PCA1 accounting for 48.88%‒62.51% of the variance for DAS-based traits and 50.26%‒54.93% for AT-based traits. PCA1 reflected early canopy vigor and rapid coverage increase, while PCA2 reflected canopy maintenance after jointing. Genotypes in the top 15% for PCA1 differed significantly in flowering time, heading time, and plant height from those in the bottom 15%. Cross-environment comparisons showed moderate to high consistency of CC traits (average correlation ( r ) = 0.41‒0.65 for DAS-standardized CC of 20‒160 DAS and 0.48‒0.67 for AT-standardized CC of 100‒1000 AT). Using CC features derived from both DAS and AT, we trained a random forest model to predict flowering time, highlighting the contribution of both temporal and thermal information to predictive accuracy. This model achieved an independent test set R 2 of 0.81 with an RMSE of 1.25 days within the current dataset. All 31 CC-derived traits were also used for QTL mapping. Inclusive composite interval mapping identified 156 QTL detection events across 15 chromosomes (0.80%‒27.70% phenotypic variance explained), which were consolidated into 26 QTL regions, including loci such as QCC.caas.7A (671.47‒680.09 Mb on 7A) and QCC.caas.5D2 (426.67‒459.42 Mb on 5D). Several of these regions co-localized with previously reported genes associated with tillering, flowering time, winter hardiness and plant height. These findings indicate that CC, characterized by DAS- and AT-based traits, is genetically tractable and predictive of flowering within the current dataset, supporting its potential as a phenology-related trait for wheat improvement. Further validation across broader environments, years, and genetic backgrounds will be needed before broader application.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV高スループット表現型解析を用いて小麦のキャノピー被覆動態を定量化し、31形質を抽出・検証しているため、表現型取得と解析が研究の中心である。

abstractWe used UAV-based high-throughput phenotyping to monitor CC in a 262-line F 8 recombinant inbred line population grown under four irrigation-year environments across two seasons.

A deep learning-based VMSNet for high-precision point cloud segmentation and ripe tomato diameter phenotyping in greenhouses ↗

Ripe tomato fruit display diverse 3D morphologies driven by genetics, environment, and management, yet these differences remain hard to quantify in the absence of precise point-cloud segmentation tools. This paper proposes the VMSNet to accurately segment tomato fruits and extract phenotypic traits based on the segmentation results, including horizontal and vertical diameters. Point clouds are obtained through depth cameras. After preprocessing and labeling the fruits, a dataset is established using global enhancement and local enhancement. On the base framework of PointNet++, the downsampling method was replaced, a multi-scale attention module (MS_A) was integrated, the combination scheduling strategy was optimized, and VMSNet was constructed. Following segmentation, the fruit growth direction is estimated by density-weighted method, and principal component analysis (PCA) is used to establish a rotation plane. By rotating according to the slicing angle, the fruit point cloud is completed and fitted into an ellipsoid. Random Sample Consensus (RANSAC) is used to smooth the outliers. The OBB is applied to extract the horizontal and vertical diameters, which are compared with measurement to verify the algorithm’s accuracy. The results indicate that the accuracy of VMSNet in segmenting ripe tomato fruits is 97.96%. The correlation coefficients R 2 between the calculated and measured values of the horizontal and vertical diameters reached 0.89 and 0.86, respectively. This proposed proposal provides robust point cloud segmentation and completion for phenotypic analysis for other same species greenhouse crop.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods深度学習による点群分割とトマト果実径の抽出手法を開発し、実測値との比較で精度検証しており、植物表現型取得が研究の中心である。

abstractThis paper proposes the VMSNet to accurately segment tomato fruits and extract phenotypic traits based on the segmentation results, including horizontal and vertical diameters.

Quantitative morphology, machine learning, and hyperspectral interface phenotyping of Trichoderma–Colletotrichum antagonism across host-associated isolate panels ↗

The efficacy of biological control agents is often inconsistent across pathogen isolate panels, yet conventional dual-culture screening often reduces antagonism to single endpoint measurements such as radial growth or colony area. Here, we developed a quantitative phenotyping framework to evaluate interactions between three Trichoderma antagonists and Colletotrichum isolates associated with coffee and cacao. Dual-culture assays were used to quantify antagonist and pathogen morphology after 96 h, and the combined morphology dataset was analyzed using machine learning to test whether host-associated isolate panels could be classified from colony-level interaction traits. To address potential information leakage and basal-growth confounding, we evaluated control-only pathogen morphology models and leave-one-pathogen-isolate-out validation. Under random 5-fold validation, Random Forest models achieved similar balanced accuracy using control-only pathogen morphology and full dual-culture interaction morphology, 0.840 and 0.864, respectively. Under the more conservative leave-one-pathogen-isolate-out validation, performance decreased but the full dual-culture model, balanced accuracy = 0.725, outperformed the control-only model, balanced accuracy = 0.578, indicating that basal pathogen morphology contributes to host-associated differences while interaction-level traits add information beyond basal growth alone. Hyperspectral imaging was then used as a proof-of-concept, non-invasive tool to characterize selected interaction interfaces. In the complete 11C-65-1 × P24-83/P24-192 subset, VNIR reflectance residuals showed interface-specific deviations from within-plate colony-side spectral mixing axes. These residual wavelength features are presented as candidate spectral correlates rather than validated biochemical mechanisms. Overall, morphology-based machine learning and hyperspectral interface phenotyping provide a scalable framework for controlled biocontrol screening, while emphasizing the importance of isolate-aware validation and cautious spectral interpretation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物コロニーの形態を定量化し、機械学習とハイパースペクトル画像で相互作用表現型を抽出する枠組みを開発・検証しており、表現型取得と解析手法が研究の中心である。

abstractHere, we developed a quantitative phenotyping framework to evaluate interactions between three Trichoderma antagonists and Colletotrichum isolates associated with coffee and cacao.

MobileDBH: Estimating Tree Diameter at Breast Height from Smartphone Images Using a Lightweight Diffusion Depth Network for Field Tree Phenotyping ↗

Diameter at breast height (DBH) is a crucial indicator for obtaining tree phenotypes in orchard management, plantation monitoring, and agroforestry systems. LiDAR technology has high measurement accuracy, but it is costly and difficult to deploy flexibly in outdoor scenarios, while smartphones have emerged as a viable alternative due to their portability and low cost. In this paper, we propose a DBH estimation method based on monocular depth estimation, supported by a mobile application for algorithm deployment and result visualization. To address the limited computing resources on mobile devices, we design HR-DiffusionDepth, a lightweight diffusion-based monocular depth estimation network for smartphones, which generates pixel-wise 3D coordinates from a single image using camera intrinsics, thereby replacing LiDAR for DBH calculation. Experiments on the KITTI and SPREAD datasets show that HR-DiffusionDepth achieves the best depth estimation accuracy among similar lightweight models, reducing Abs Rel by up to 25.3% relative to the state-of-the-art (SoTA) lightweight baseline, with only 6.26 M parameters. The validation results show that the root mean square error (RMSE) of DBH estimation is 3.10 cm and the mean absolute error (MAE) is 2.25 cm, demonstrating the potential of this approach for agricultural scenarios such as orchards and plantations.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsスマートフォン画像と軽量深度推定ネットワークにより樹木DBHを推定する手法を開発・検証しており、植物形質取得が研究の中心である。

abstractwe propose a DBH estimation method based on monocular depth estimation, supported by a mobile application for algorithm deployment and result visualization.

LBD-PointNet++: a point cloud segmentation network for phenotypic trait extraction of broccoli seedlings ↗

Broccoli is a globally significant vegetable, but climate change and soil salinization increasingly threaten its productivity. Precise seedling phenotyping is essential for selecting salt-tolerant germplasm, yet traditional manual methods are labor-intensive and error-prone. This study develops LBD-PointNet++, an optimized 3D point cloud semantic segmentation model for automated phenotypic parameter extraction of broccoli seedlings at the germination and early developmental phase under salt stress. High-fidelity 3D point clouds were reconstructed from a precision three-view imaging system using Structure from Motion (SfM) algorithms. LBD-PointNet++ introduces three core optimizations: (1) a Large Kernel Attention (LKA) mechanism using 3D sparse decomposition to capture long-range global dependencies; (2) a Dual Uncertainty and Shape-Adaptive Sampling (DUSAS) mechanism to preserve high-frequency features of fragile stems and margins; and (3) a joint Boundary-Aware Nested Contrastive and Adaptive Varifocal Joint Loss (BNCV-Loss) to effectively isolate overlapping leaves. Experimental results demonstrate superior performance, achieving an overall mean Intersection over Union (mIoU) of 88.07% across all three categories (Leaf, Stem, and Pot) and a Mean F1-score of 93.48%. Compared to state-of-the-art Transformer architectures like PTv3, LBD-PointNet++ achieves higher accuracy with less than 6% of the parameter volume and over twofold faster inference speed. Furthermore, dynamic monitoring across NaCl gradients (0-250 mmol/L) revealed a potential non-linear threshold effect, identifying 100 mmol/L as a preliminary phenotypic threshold under these conditions. Beyond this threshold, growth inhibition intensified rapidly; At 250 mmol/L, plant height decreased by 54.43% and the 3D entity volume shrank to approximately one-fifth of the control group. In summary, LBD-PointNet++ provides a high-efficiency solution for phenotypic identification and digital breeding of salt-tolerant Brassicaceae crops.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3D点群分割ネットワークと三視点SfM撮像を開発し、ブロッコリー幼植物の表現型形質抽出を中心的に評価しているため。

abstractThis study develops LBD-PointNet++, an optimized 3D point cloud semantic segmentation model for automated phenotypic parameter extraction of broccoli seedlings

Automated Physical Quality Assessment of Harvested Seeds: A Critical Review of 2D and 3D Computer Vision Systems ↗

Purpose: This paper investigated automated physical quality assessment of harvested seeds. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study provides an extensive review of computer vision-based two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) deployments for the physical inspection of harvested seeds and grains. For this purpose, a total of 75 peer-reviewed articles published between 2022 and 2025 were identified from scientific databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, and ScienceDirect. These articles were based on seed quality assessment, image processing, and artificial intelligence. The selected articles were systematically analysed according to different stages of the processing pipeline, including data acquisition, preprocessing, segmentation, feature extraction, and classification. Research Limitation: This review is restricted to physical quality assessment of harvested seeds, excluding chemical, biochemical, and nutritional parameters. It references 75 peer-reviewed articles published between 2022 and 2025. Findings: This study identified technical problems related to variations in seed samples, hardware setups, segmentation, feature selection, and classification. These problems significantly affect the performance of automated systems. Based on a critical examination of the present automated systems, this paper highlighted the scope for future research. Practical Implication: An advanced, future-ready system can address the need for integrated imaging methods and effective data processing. Social Implication: The adoption of automated seed inspection systems provides assurance of food security. Originality/ Value: This paper identified critical gaps such as the absence of a unified processing framework, the lack of cross-species generalisation, and the limited adoption of explainable AI.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods収穫種子の物理品質を画像から評価する2D/3Dコンピュータビジョン手法を体系的にレビューしており、植物形質取得法が中心である。

abstractThis study provides an extensive review of computer vision-based two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) deployments for the physical inspection of harvested seeds and grains.

Deep Learning-Assisted Image Phenotyping for Genetic Dissection of Pod-Related Traits in Soybean ↗

Soybean pod-related traits are important for seed development, yield formation, and cultivar evaluation. However, conventional measurements are inefficient and have limited ability to characterize complex pod features such as curvature, local enlargement, and continuous color variation. In this study, mature pod images of 187 cultivated soybean accessions collected across two successive years were analyzed using a deep learning-assisted image phenotyping approach. Eight pod-related traits related to size, morphology, and color were extracted from pod images. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using 61,541 high-quality SNP markers to dissect the genetic basis of these image-derived pod traits. A total of 16 stable loci associated with pod size, morphology, and color traits were identified across 11 chromosomes. Among these loci, eight were not reported in the previous image-based soybean pod GWAS study. Based on SoyBase gene annotation and Gene Ontology biological process information, 32 biologically relevant candidate gene records were prioritized within the corresponding candidate genomic intervals, while pod-related expression profiles and SoyBase association information were used as supporting evidence for candidate gene evaluation. These findings indicate that refined image-derived traits can provide complementary genetic information beyond conventional pod measurements and offer additional opportunities for dissecting soybean pod development, morphology, and mature pod color variation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods深層学習画像解析によるダイズ莢形質の抽出が研究の中心であり、8種類の形態・色・サイズ形質を画像から定量化している。

abstractmature pod images of 187 cultivated soybean accessions collected across two successive years were analyzed using a deep learning-assisted image phenotyping approach.

LiDAR vs. SfM: Which is better for analysing habitat of the harvest mouse ( Micromys minutus )? ↗

Abstract. The harvest mouse, Micromys minutus (Pallas, 1771) is the smallest rodent in Japan and now listed in the Red Data Books of Tokyo, 2 prefectural capitals, and 28 prefectures in Japan due to drastic decline of grasslands. For the harvest mouse, the height and density of the tall grass species where nesting occurs are considered particularly important. However, it has been difficult to continuously and extensively acquire information on the three-dimensional structure of herbaceous vegetation. With recent development of UAV technology, UAV data are beginning to be applied to the analysis of herbaceous vegetation. For acquiring three-dimensional information via UAV, methods include using LiDAR sensors or generating 3D point cloud data from aerial photographs using SfM. This study evaluates whether UAV LiDAR or UAV SfM is more suitable for estimating the height of tall grass species such as Japanese silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis), which serve as important nesting sites for the harvest mouse. As a result of analysis, the proposed method was found to be effective to estimate grass height regardless of whether UAV LiDAR or UAV SfM is used. However, when comparing the accuracy of canopy height estimation using UAV LiDAR data alone, UAV SfM data alone, and combined UAV LiDAR and SfM data, combined UAV LiDAR and SfM data found to perform best. Maximum canopy height was found to be best estimated using the combination of median of hand-measured five maximum canopy height values and maximum height calculated using the combined UAV LiDAR and SfM data.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV LiDARとSfMを用いて植物群落の草丈・キャノピー高を推定し、センサー間の精度を比較評価することが研究の中心であるため、植物フェノタイピング手法として適格。

abstractThis study evaluates whether UAV LiDAR or UAV SfM is more suitable for estimating the height of tall grass species such as Japanese silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis)

High-resolution LiDAR and thermal UAV data for 3D analysis of urban vegetation structure and its cooling effect in San Nicolás, Mexico ↗

Abstract. Urban vegetation is essential for mitigating the Urban Heat Island effect, yet its cooling performance depends on its three-dimensional structure. This study combines high-resolution Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - based LiDAR (Zenmuse L2) and thermal imaging (Zenmuse H20) to analyze vegetation structure and surface temperature across 4 urban parks in San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico. LiDAR data were processed to generate Digital Terrain Model, Digital Surface Model and Canopy Height Model models, enabling the segmentation of individual trees and extraction of structural metrics such as canopy height, crown area and point density. Thermal orthomosaics were co-registered with LiDAR models to quantify temperature contrasts between vegetated and impervious areas. Results reveal consistent cooling effects in all parks, with vegetated zones showing 8–15 °C lower surface temperatures depending on canopy density and maturity. Larger parks with continuous canopies displayed the strongest thermal regulation. This integrated LiDAR–thermal approach provides a precise and scalable framework for assessing microclimatic benefits of urban vegetation, supporting climate-resilient planning in rapidly urbanizing regions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV LiDAR・熱画像を用いて個体樹木の樹冠高や樹冠面積などの植物構造形質を抽出する手法と統合ワークフローが中心であり、単なる環境測定ではない。

abstractLiDAR data were processed to generate Digital Terrain Model, Digital Surface Model and Canopy Height Model models, enabling the segmentation of individual trees and extraction of structural metrics such as canopy height, crown area and point density.

A comparative analysis of 3D point clouds and crop surface models for rice plant height estimation using UAV-SfM ↗

Accurate estimation of crop plant height using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is essential for field-scale crop monitoring and phenotyping. Most previous studies using UAV-based structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry have relied on raster-based crop surface models (CSMs) and have evaluated their performance using accuracy metrics such as the coefficient of determination ( R 2 ) and root mean square error (RMSE). However, such evaluations provide limited insight into how estimation behavior varies across space and time, particularly during dynamic crop growth stages. To address this gap, this study conducted a time-series comparison of rice plant height estimates derived from UAV-SfM-generated dense point clouds (DPCs) and raster-based CSMs in farmer-managed paddy fields in Cambodia, which are characterized by heterogeneous micro-environmental conditions. Rice plant height was measured throughout the growing season and UAV-derived estimates were evaluated using regression analysis, analysis of covariance, and canopy cover dynamics. In the pooled analysis, both approaches achieved high overall accuracy, with R 2 = 0.92 and RMSE = 7.2 cm for the CSM-based approach and R 2 = 0.90 and RMSE = 8.8 cm for the DPC-based approach. However, time-series analyses revealed that CSM-derived plant height estimates exhibited strong location-dependent variability and sensitivity to early-stage canopy development, whereas DPC-based estimates showed more consistent performance across locations and growth stages. Regression coefficients derived from CSM-based estimates varied significantly among locations, whereas those from DPC-based estimates did not, suggesting that point-based representations may provide more spatially consistent estimation behavior under heterogeneous field conditions. By explicitly considering temporal dynamics, canopy development, and data representation, this study highlights the limitations of current raster-based UAV-SfM workflows for structurally complex crop canopies and suggests that DPC-based approaches may offer a useful complementary representation for crop monitoring and phenotyping, particularly when spatial consistency across heterogeneous field conditions is important.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV-SfMによるイネの草丈推定手法を、3D点群と作物表面モデルで時系列比較・検証しており、表現形式と技術性能の評価が研究の中心です。

titleA comparative analysis of 3D point clouds and crop surface models for rice plant height estimation using UAV-SfM

Assessing the suitability of a developed photogrammetric and multispectral method for detecting biostimulant effects on plants ↗

The present study validates a custom multi-sensor system for high-resolution, non-phenotyping. The photogrammetric workflow was optimised by evaluating image density, algorithms, and camera calibration. Beyond validation, a case study demonstrated the system’s capacity to monitor early plant development following biostimulant treatment. Technical assessment revealed that prior internal camera calibration was unnecessary for the optics used. A reduced dataset of 120 images yielded reconstruction accuracies statistically comparable to full 360-image sets ( p > 0.05), confirming potential for maximised throughput efficiency by reducing processing time by approximately 66% without compromising data integrity. Analysis demonstrated that algorithmic settings determined reconstruction accuracy. Active parameter tweaks were essential for maximising surface area precision across all plant species ( R 2 ≥ 0.98). Conversely, volumetric accuracy required deactivation of these tweaks to maintain mesh consistency. While surface area estimation remained robust, volumetric precision showed species-specific variability driven by morphological complexity. Baseline parameters for accurate plant health scaling were established by defining species-specific vegetation index ranges (e.g., 0.38–0.82 for C. sativus ). The platform’s robustness was validated through a longitudinal study evaluating four treatments: yeast autolysate (A), a fungal biostimulant (F), their combination (AF), and a control (C). The system captured distinct morpho-physiological responses, demonstrating that autolysate-based treatments (A and AF) significantly enhanced biomass growth. The developed multi-sensor system recorded surface area expansions of 122% and 102% relative to the control ( p < 0.001), alongside a 110% increase in biological height. Fidelity of these 3D reconstructions was substantiated by a strong correlation ( R 2 = 0.96) between the 3D-derived leaf area index and ground-truth measurements. A key innovation of the pipeline is the integration of vertical distribution metrics as descriptive statistical tools, enabling high-resolution characterisation of canopy architecture. The plant health status metric evidenced enhanced physiological resilience in variants A and AF. Gravimetric analysis corroborated the non-destructive findings, confirming significant increases ( p < 0.001) in dried shoot weight of 77% (A) and 79% (AF). The validated system decoupled structural biomass from physiological health, offering broad utility across diverse phenotyping tasks. Such functionality streamlines the valorisation of industrial by-products into biopreparations, driving progress in sustainable agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsフォトグラメトリとマルチスペクトル計測による植物表現型取得システムの最適化・技術検証が研究の中心であり、植物形態・生理状態の測定性能を評価している。

abstractThe present study validates a custom multi-sensor system for high-resolution, non-phenotyping.

Visualization and quantitative analysis of endosperm cavities in maize kernels via X-ray micro-computed tomography ↗

Endosperm cavities within maize kernels influence quality traits such as kernel plumpness and hardness, serving as a key phenotypic indicator for assessing maize yield and quality. Research on endosperm cavities remains relatively scarce due to the small size of maize kernels and limitations in technical approaches. This study employed X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT) three-dimensional reconstruction technology to extract morphological parameters and spatial configurations of endosperm cavities in multiple maize varieties, enabling visualisation and quantification of endosperm cavities within maize kernels. Endosperm cavities exhibit spatial heterogeneity within the kernels: embryo-adjacent cavities (EACs) are distributed in a conical pattern around the embryo, whereas internal endosperm cavities (IECs) are located in the floury endosperm at the tip region of the kernel and exhibit a boat-shaped morphology. The volume ratio of EACs to IECs is approximately 5:1. A coordinate system was established with the kernel length axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane, revealing the spatial positions of IECs (x = 3.5 mm, y = 2.1 mm, z = 1.1 mm) and EACs (x = 2.5 mm, y = 2.3 mm, z = 7.1 mm). Significant differences in endosperm cavity characteristics were observed among the different varieties. The average volume of the endosperm cavities was 4.1 mm 3 , with kernel porosities ranging from 0.4% to 3.3%. These parameters exhibited highly significant positive correlations with kernel volume, kernel thickness, cavity surface density, etc. Although manual sectioning methods cannot capture the 3D features of endosperm cavities, their operational simplicity and rapid data extraction allow them to reflect, to some extent, the characteristics of endosperm cavities across different maize varieties, as confirmed by this study. This study elucidates the morphology and spatial distribution of endosperm cavities, revealing significant varietal differences in cavity characteristics that correlate with grain morphological traits. These findings lay the groundwork for research into maize grain digital characterisation and the relationship between grain structure and function.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsトウモロコシ種子内の内胚乳空洞をX線マイクロCTで3次元可視化し、形態・空間配置・体積などの表現型を抽出・定量化することが研究の中心である。

abstractThis study employed X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT) three-dimensional reconstruction technology to extract morphological parameters and spatial configurations of endosperm cavities in multiple maize varieties, enabling visualisation and quantification of endosperm cavities within maize kernels.

A Simple Phenotypic Marker for Screening Pod Shattering in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) ↗

Pod shattering is a major domestication-related trait and one of the principal causes of pre-harvest yield losses in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.), particularly under hot and dry conditions. Rapid and reliable identification of shattering-resistant genotypes is essential for improving breeding efficiency. The present study evaluated a national core collection of 245 diverse cowpea genotypes over three consecutive years (2023–2025) to identify a simple phenotypic marker associated with pod-shattering resistance. Genotypes were screened using a modified Random Impact Method (RIM), and pod physical traits, including pod length, pod breadth, pod thickness, pod wall weight, seed-to-pod ratio, and dorsal suture morphology, were examined for their association with shattering response. A distinct and consistent morphological marker was identified in the dorsal suture of mature pods. Shattering-resistant genotypes exhibited a single, prominent dorsal ridge positioned above the dehiscence zone, whereas susceptible genotypes consistently displayed a two-ridged dorsal suture separated by a central depression that appeared to reduce tissue integrity and facilitate pod rupture under mechanical impact. The observed marker remained stable across years and environmental conditions, indicating its reliability as a rapid visual indicator of shattering resistance. The modified RIM provided a standardised, reproducible, and cost-effective approach for evaluating pod shattering while minimising environmental variation associated with field phenotyping. The identified dorsal ridge morphology offers a simple, non-destructive, and efficient phenotypic marker for large-scale germplasm screening and the selection of resistant genotypes. This marker can accelerate breeding for pod-shattering resistance, improve yield stability, and facilitate the development of climate-resilient cowpea cultivars adapted to drought-prone environments.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods鞘の裂莢抵抗性を評価する標準化手法と、再現性のある形態マーカーを開発・検証しており、植物フェノタイピングが研究の中心である。

abstractGenotypes were screened using a modified Random Impact Method (RIM)

Image-based trait extraction of Chenopodium quinoa grown under salinity and drought stress. ↗

Above ground crop traits provide an early indication of a plant's capacity to tolerate stress, and are important for breeding programs aimed at improving stress tolerance. In this work, we present a high-throughput methodology to study morphological and physiological traits of individual quinoa plants over time under control, drought, and saline conditions. We used daily sideview imaging of individual plants, followed by segmentation of the panicle, leaf and stem using the deep learning U-Net++ segmentation model. The resulting segmentations were used in regression models to estimate leaf area, fresh and dry biomass, and leaf dry weight. The regression models showed high predictive accuracy. Using these estimates, we could calculate specific leaf area and leaf weight ratio. In addition, radiation use efficiency for above-ground biomass production was calculated, providing an independent physiological check on the consistency of these predictions. Finally, using automated measurements of plant transpiration we were able to determine daily averages of whole plant stomatal conductance. The results show that image-derived morphological traits can be used to accurately estimate biomass-related traits and to derive physiologically meaningful indicators of plant performance over time. This method provides a framework for non-destructive monitoring of quinoa responses to drought and salinity.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods画像取得、深層学習セグメンテーション、回帰による植物形質推定を中核とする高スループット表現型解析手法であり、ストレス実験での単なるルーチン測定ではない。

abstractwe present a high-throughput methodology to study morphological and physiological traits of individual quinoa plants over time

Using UAV-LiDAR for stem volume phenotyping in the genetic selection of radiata pine ↗

Abstract Context : Radiata pine breeding programmes rely on stem volume as a key objective, but phenotyping constraints limit selection intensity. UAV-LiDAR offers a scalable alternative to labour-intensive field measurements. Aims : We evaluated UAV-LiDAR-derived metrics as genetic selection proxies for stem volume in radiata pine genetic trials and quantified their utility relative to field-measured diameter at breast height (DBH). Methods: LiDAR metrics describing tree height and size were assessed against allometric stem volume (ASV) across 11 genetic trials (~27,000 trees, two trial series) using single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP) with ~9,500 SNPs. Results : The 3D surface area of the individual tree convex hull (convexhull3D_area) had the highest correlation with ASV (up to r = 0.87) and similar heritability to DBH (mean h 2 = 0.26). LiDAR tree height had the highest heritability (mean h 2 = 0.37) and moderate to high genetic correlation with DBH. Selecting the top 100 genotypes by convexhull3D_area recovered 67-86% of potential ASV genetic gain, versus 88-96% for DBH. Including malformed trees in the genetic analyses of LiDAR traits marginally reduced their performance as stem volume proxies. Conclusion UAV-LiDAR-derived tree height and 3D convex hull surface present desirable properties to complement field phenotyping for stem volume selection in radiata pine. Their scalability, repeatability and high heritability support lower phenotyping costs, better early selection and accelerated genetic gain in radiata pine breeding.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV-LiDARを用いて樹高・樹体サイズなどの形質を抽出し、茎体積の遺伝選抜プロキシとして相関・遺伝率・選抜効果を検証しており、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractWe evaluated UAV-LiDAR-derived metrics as genetic selection proxies for stem volume in radiata pine genetic trials

Non-Destructive Evaluation of In Vitro Blackberry Shoot Architecture Under Different Sucrose Levels Through Smartphone-Derived 3D Reconstruction ↗

Blackberry micropropagation enables the rapid production of pathogen-free and genetically uniform plant material, although the evaluation of in vitro shoot development still relies on destructive and time-consuming measurements. This study investigated a low-cost smartphone-based 3D imaging approach for the non-destructive characterization of in vitro blackberry shoots (cultivar ‘Thornfree’) grown under different sucrose concentrations in the media (0, 7.5, 15, and 30 g L−1). Explants were cultured for 30 days under controlled environmental conditions in ventilated vessels containing 15 explants. Three-dimensional reconstructions generated using the viDoC RTK rover system coupled with an Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max were used to extract geometric traits, including shoot height, projected area, and shoot volume estimated through three complementary approaches, together with voxel-derived structural descriptors of shoot spatial organization and compactness. The proposed approach enabled the quantitative assessment of shoot architectural responses to sucrose availability, revealing differences in volumetric development and internal structural organization among treatments that would not be detectable by conventional measurements. The results highlight the potential of smartphone-based 3D phenotyping as a rapid, low-cost, and non-destructive tool for monitoring structural traits in micropropagated plant material and for supporting the optimization of in vitro culture conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsスマートフォン由来の3D再構成を用いてシュート形態・構造形質を抽出する手法が研究の中心であり、非破壊植物フェノタイピングへの実質的応用である。

abstractThree-dimensional reconstructions generated using the viDoC RTK rover system coupled with an Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max were used to extract geometric traits, including shoot height, projected area, and shoot volume estimated through three complementary approaches, together with voxel-derived structural descriptors of shoot spatial organization and compactness.

Plant architecture reveals contrasting developmental strategies in two threatened West African timber species (Khaya senegalensisand Pterocarpus erinaceus): implications for conservation and sustainable forest management ↗

Abstract Architectural analysis provides a powerful analytical framework for understanding the ontogenetic trajectories of tree species and their adaptive responses to environmental constraints. Despite their ecological, economic, and cultural importance in West African agroforestry systems, the architectural development of Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss. (Meliaceae) and Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. (Fabaceae), two overexploited taxa classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, had never been formally described. This study presents the first complete characterization of their architectural development, from the seedling stage to senescence, based on architectural and retrospective analyses conducted on 360 individuals per species across seven localities along a south-north bioclimatic gradient in Côte d'Ivoire, covering contrasting vegetation zones ranging from dense humid forest to dry Sudanian savanna. Both species display well-defined ontogenetic trajectories comprising four phases: juvenile establishment, architectural construction, reproductive transition, and crown restructuring associated with ageing. Distinct architectural models were identified: K. senegalensis conforms to Rauh's model, characterized by a monopodial orthotropic trunk with indefinite growth and rhythmic acrotonic branching; P. erinaceus follows Troll's model, in which the orthotropic trunk progressively gives rise to a sympodial plagiotropic system with mixed terminal and lateral flowering. Architectural units, defined as the minimal structural organization enabling a species to reach reproductive maturity, were established at the adult stage: that of K. senegalensis comprises four axis categories and five branching orders, while that of P. erinaceus comprises three axis categories and up to six branching orders in old trees. Significant variation in growth-unit morphology among habitats and localities ( P ) revealed the architectural plasticity of both species in response to ecological gradients. The calculated Favourable Development indices ( FDi ) identified Bouaké and Katiola as optimal zones for K. senegalensis , and Bouaké and Toumodi for P. erinaceus , providing objective spatial criteria for reforestation planning. These findings demonstrate that architectural traits are robust indicators of development, adaptive strategies, and crown functioning. By linking structural organization to productivity, resilience, and regeneration potential, this study provides a scientific basis for integrating architectural analysis into reforestation programmes, sustainable forest management, and the design of agroforestry systems for threatened African tree species facing growing climatic and anthropogenic pressures. Complementary regression analyses further showed that phytomer number, rather than internode elongation, primarily governs growth-unit length in both species, and that growth unit diameter scales positively with growth unit length; a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) confirmed that ontogenetic stage and locality, but not habitat alone, robustly structure growth-unit morphology.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods樹木の成長段階・分枝構造・成長単位形態を対象に、建築学的および回顧的解析を中心的手法として適用し、植物構造形質と発達状態を定量・比較しているため。

abstractThis study presents the first complete characterization of their architectural development, from the seedling stage to senescence, based on architectural and retrospective analyses conducted on 360 individuals per species across seven localities

Large-scale GWAS integrated with image-based phenotyping reveals loci and trait-associated markers for Perilla frutescens seed traits ↗

Perilla ( Perilla frutescens ) is an important oilseed crop in East Asia with high nutritional and economic value. Seed size and seed coat color are key agronomic traits influencing yield, oil quality, and market preference. However, genetic studies in perilla remain limited by small population sizes and low-throughput phenotyping, restricting their application in breeding. A large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted by integrating high-throughput image-based phenotyping in a panel of 493 perilla accessions. Measurements of seed morphology, including area, perimeter, and length, and color traits (RGB components) were obtained. Genotyping-by-sequencing generated high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) datasets, and GWAS was performed using four statistical models (general linear model, mixed linear model, FarmCPU, and BLINK). A total of 44 significant trait-SNP associations were identified, corresponding to 20 unique SNPs, as several SNPs (including those on chromosomes 6, 10, 15, and 17) were associated with multiple correlated traits. Linkage disequilibrium-based analysis showed candidate genes involved in phenylpropanoid metabolism and carbohydrate pathways. Predicted protein-altering variants, including non-synonymous and stop-gained mutations, were detected in key genes. Derived cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence markers developed near peak SNPs distinguished phenotypic differences between allelic groups, demonstrating their effectiveness for trait differentiation. This study represents the first large-scale GWAS integrating image-based phenotyping for seed traits in perilla and provides candidate dCAPS markers with potential applicability to marker-assisted selection, pending validation in independent breeding populations. These findings offer valuable genetic resources and a practical framework for molecular breeding and crop improvement in perilla.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods大規模GWASに統合された高スループット画像ベース表現型解析が中心で、種子形態・色形質の抽出方法を実質的に適用しているため。

abstractA large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted by integrating high-throughput image-based phenotyping in a panel of 493 perilla accessions.

EcoMorph: Universal morphological trait quantification from natural language prompts for ecological research ↗

1. Morphological traits such as floral area and body size are fundamental to ecological research, serving as inputs for studies of pollinator–plant interactions, habitat quality, and biodiversity monitoring. However, accurately measuring these traits from images remains challenging, particularly in complex field conditions where existing tools exhibit reduced accuracy and limited generalizability across taxa. 2. We present EcoMorph, a modular morphological measurement system that leverages the Segment Anything Model 3 (SAM3) to quantify traits across diverse ecological contexts. Unlike task-specific segmentation models requiring domain-specific training data, SAM3's prompt-based architecture enables segmentation of arbitrary biological structures from natural-language prompts, using the same underlying model across flowers, insects, and other targets without retraining. From the resulting segmentations, EcoMorph extracts three classes of measurement: area, linear dimensions, and object count. 3. We validated EcoMorph across two ecological scales. At the intermediate scale, EcoMorph-derived floral area agreed closely with manual ImageJ measurements (R² = 0.935, n = 74) under simple-background conditions and (R² = 0.928, n = 58) under complex-background conditions, with valid predictions for 95% of images. At the fine scale, EcoMorph-derived insect body area was strongly correlated with hand-measured intertegular distance (r = 0.810, n = 349), capturing body-size variation across species from the small Bombus impatiens to the large Xylocopa virginica. Object counts matched manual counts almost exactly for well-separated insects in an insect box (R² = 1.000, n = 12). 4. By combining prompt-based segmentation with modular measurement, EcoMorph enables high-throughput quantification of area, size, and count from heterogeneous image sources without taxon-specific training. This generality supports a broad range of ecological applications, including pollinator and plant trait research, biodiversity and abundance monitoring, and allometric biomass estimation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の花の面積を画像から定量する汎用手法を開発し、手動測定と検証しているため、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractWe present EcoMorph, a modular morphological measurement system that leverages the Segment Anything Model 3 (SAM3) to quantify traits across diverse ecological contexts.

Deriving Tree Stem Profile and Volume Using a Close-Range Remote Sensing and Machine Learning Approach ↗

Abstract. Accurate estimation of tree volume is essential for precision forestry and sustainable forest management. Traditional forest inventory methods rely on manual measurements of tree height and diameter, which are time-consuming and costly to conduct over large areas, and difficult to perform efficiently in dense forest stands. This study presents a data-driven approach for estimating tree volume from partial tree stem profiles derived from high-resolution datasets. While the study relies on harvester production data (Sweden) and field-measured tree stem profiles (Brazil), the framework is designed to support the estimation of tree volume from close-range remote sensing techniques, such as terrestrial photogrammetry using handheld cameras. Three modelling approaches were evaluated, including two machine learning models (XGBoost and Random Forest) using partial tree stem profile measurements as predictors, and one baseline model (XGBoost) using diameter at breast height and tree height as predictors. The models were developed using two independent datasets: harvester production data of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) from Sweden and field-measured tree stem profiles of Slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) and Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations from Brazil. The results show that tree volume can be predicted with reasonable accuracy using partial tree stem profiles, although models incorporating tree height achieved the lowest prediction errors. The findings demonstrate that partial tree stem profiles provide valuable structural information for machine learning-based tree volume estimation. This framework supports the future integration of close-range remote sensing techniques into modern forest inventory systems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods樹幹プロファイルから樹木体積という植物形質を推定する機械学習・近距離リモートセンシング手法が研究の中心であり、複数モデルと独立データセットで評価している。

abstractThis study presents a data-driven approach for estimating tree volume from partial tree stem profiles derived from high-resolution datasets.

Probing the living Plant Cell: AFM as a tool for Biomechanical research and development ↗

Abstract Plants live in a physical world governed by a multitude of mechanical processes which vary over time. The unique features of plant cells, which are turgor-inflated objects surrounded by the cell wall, present an intricate perception and response system for mechanical forces. A powerful tool to investigate how plants adapt and react to these cues is Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), which can provide information about surface morphology as well as mechanical properties. In the context of cell wall biomechanics, there remains some controversy on appropriate AFM measurement practices and suitable use of common terminologies. Specifically, the interpretation of plant cell indentation curves and derivation of the wall elasticity modulus can be challenging and continues to spark debate. In this Expert View, we discuss recent advances of AFM in plant science as well as best practices for the use of AFM and considerations for data interpretation with a focus on mechanical probing by indentation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物細胞の表面形態と力学特性をAFMで測定・解釈する実践と標準化を扱うレビューであり、植物形質取得法が中心です。

abstractAtomic Force Microscopy (AFM), which can provide information about surface morphology as well as mechanical properties.

Low-cost monocular RGB-based 3D structural mapping for horticultural plants via semantic scene completion ↗

Precision agriculture increasingly relies on detailed structural information, such as canopy height and canopy volume, to enhance crop health monitoring and operational safety. However, existing methods based on costly LiDAR or RGB-D sensors are often impractical for large-scale deployment in dynamic and unstructured horticultural environments. Furthermore, conventional 2D segmentation and SLAM-based pipelines typically generate sparse, geometrically inconsistent semantic maps which are insufficient for actionable structural analysis in agricultural applications. To overcome these limitations, we propose a monocular 3D structural mapping framework tailored for horticultural plants via semantic scene completion. At inference, the proposed model takes a single RGB image as input and predicts voxel-wise geometry and semantics, from which task-oriented structural maps, including canopy height, canopy volume, and obstacle-aware traversability layers, are derived. Specifically, we first introduce a Depth-Aware Decoder Module that explicitly recovers depth in the spatial domain and fuses 2D-to-3D features, thereby mitigating depth ambiguity and reducing reliance on accurate pose. Second, an NCS-Guided Geometry Encoder is designed to inject normalized depth into voxel positional embeddings, enabling self-attention to perform global relational modeling within a depth-aware geometric coordinate system. In addition, a Global Encoder is utilized to refine local structural details, while an occupancy head produces the final 3D semantic completion outputs. We construct a horticultural 3D semantic scene dataset using an RGB-D sensor, which serves as a benchmark for evaluating our method, while the deployed model remains RGB-only. Extensive quantitative and qualitative experiments are conducted on both the Semantic-KITTI dataset and our dataset. On our dataset, the method achieves 82.31% occupancy IoU, 84.26% mIoU, and 86.25% precision. Beyond voxel-level evaluation, manual field measurements further show canopy height MAE values of 0.019-0.026 m and canopy volume proxy relative errors of 8.4%-11.4%. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in real-world agricultural scenarios, providing actionable structural insights for crop monitoring and autonomous robotic operations.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods単眼RGB画像から植物の樹冠高・樹冠体積などの構造形質を推定する3Dフェノタイピング手法を開発し、データセット構築と実測検証も行っているため、方法が研究の中心である。

abstractwe propose a monocular 3D structural mapping framework tailored for horticultural plants via semantic scene completion.

Enhancing Predictive Ability of Agronomic and Quality Traits in Ethiopian Malting Barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) Using Spectral Variable Selection Methods ↗

ABSTRACT Phenomic selection (PS) offers a cost‐effective , breeder‐friendly approach for public breeding programmes with limited access to genotyping or restricted financial resources for laboratory infrastructure. Since PS relies on high‐throughput phenotyping data, which is often derived from near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) of harvested seeds, prediction is challenged by the high dimensionality and strong intercorrelation of NIRS data, which means that only a subset of wavelengths is informative. This study evaluates spectral variable selection models for predicting key morpho‐agronomic and quality traits in malt barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) and assesses their performance under realistic breeding scenarios. Four NIRS‐based regularized regression models (Lasso, Enet, Ridge and a heritability‐filtered Ridge model) were tested to predict 10 morphological, agronomic and quality traits measured in two malt barley trials conducted during the 2022 and 2024 cropping seasons at three locations in Ethiopia using 100 genotypes in each trial. Model performance was evaluated across four practical breeding scenarios: within‐location unseen genotype prediction (WL‐uG), leave‐one‐location‐out prediction (LOLO), target environment unseen genotype prediction (TargetEnv) and across‐location wide adaptability (RuG). Accordingly, Cross‐validation identified stable, informative spectral predictors for each trait, scenario and trial. Among the models tested, Lasso and Enet consistently outperformed Ridge regression, with Enet showing the best predictive performance across scenarios. Prediction ability (r) ranged from 0.15 to 0.85 for quality traits, 0.16 to 0.79 for agronomic traits and 0.07 to 0.89 for morphological traits across scenarios. Thus, these findings underscore the importance of spectral predictor selection in improving predictive ability and demonstrate the transferability of PS in barley breeding.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsNIRSを用いた植物形質予測とスペクトル変数選択モデルの比較・検証が研究の中心であり、複数の形態・農業・品質形質に対する予測性能を交差検証している。

abstractThis study evaluates spectral variable selection models for predicting key morpho‐agronomic and quality traits in malt barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) and assesses their performance under realistic breeding scenarios.

Robot-based 3D-multispectral monitoring of soybean in a spatially heterogenous agrivoltaic environment ↗

Agrophotovoltaic (APV) systems provide a unique opportunity for improving agricultural land-use efficiency by combining crop production with solar energy capture via photovoltaic panels. In-depth information on plant growth patterns within the spatially heterogenous microclimate created by APVs would enable better planning and management within such unconventional systems. Thus, the present study demonstrates the implementation of a customized robot-mounted 3D-multispectral imaging system for monitoring the growth and spectral reflectance patterns of a conventional soybean cultivar "Eiko" (EK) and a chlorophyll-deficient mutant variety MinnGold (MG) under an APV system. Weekly trends in canopy morphometric features revealed significant variations in canopy height, surface area, light penetration, and volume across the APV field depending on the proximity with the overhead solar panels for both EK and MG, with plants receiving adequate rainfall and intermittent shade performing the best. Furthermore, although spectral indices exhibited variations between EK and MG due to intrinsic differences in pigmentation, symptoms of stress could be detected for both genotypes within rain-shaded areas of the APV plot. Hence, the present investigation depicts the potential for complementary usage of robotics and machine vision for high-precision high-throughput crop monitoring under APVs, which would help improve crop management within such non-homogenous cultivation systems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsカスタマイズしたロボット搭載3Dマルチスペクトル画像システムを実装し、植物形態・スペクトル・ストレス状態を高精度に取得することが研究の中心である。

abstractthe present study demonstrates the implementation of a customized robot-mounted 3D-multispectral imaging system for monitoring the growth and spectral reflectance patterns

Maturity and size estimation with yield mapping for hydroponic strawberries using machine vision ↗

Strawberry production in hydroponic systems requires precise and spatially explicit information on fruit load, maturity, and size to support harvest planning and quality control. This study presents an integrated computer vision and GNSS RTK framework that detects individual strawberries, estimates their maturity and physical dimensions, assigns fruits to operational size–maturity categories, and generates high-resolution yield maps in an open-field hydroponic system. RGB-D images are processed with YOLOv8-seg and a BoT-SORT-based tracking module to obtain instance-level masks, from which a color-based ripeness index and 3D point clouds are derived. After DBSCAN-based filtering, fruit length and width are computed in metric space and combined with ripeness percentage to assign each strawberry to one of nine operational size–maturity categories using predefined threshold rules. The system was evaluated in a commercial hydroponic crop in Arcabuco, Boyacá, Colombia, achieving accurate segmentation, with median IoU values up to 0.83 for bounding boxes and 0.71 for masks, and mean absolute errors of 2.51 mm in length and 1.85 mm in width with respect to Vernier caliper measurements. Yield maps aggregated in 1 m2 cells and by crop row revealed marked spatial variability in fruit density, maturity state, and size–maturity composition, allowing the identification of zones with a high concentration of fruits ready for harvest versus areas dominated by immature fruits. The proposed framework provides a practical and low-cost decision support tool for hydroponic strawberry management and may be adapted to other high-value horticultural crops after recalibration under different crop architectures, cultivars, and environmental conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsRGB-D画像と追跡・3D解析により、イチゴ果実の成熟度、寸法、果実密度および収穫状態を個体レベルで推定し、精度検証も行う中心的なフェノタイピング手法研究である。

abstractThis study presents an integrated computer vision and GNSS RTK framework that detects individual strawberries, estimates their maturity and physical dimensions, assigns fruits to operational size–maturity categories, and generates high-resolution yield maps in an open-field hydroponic system.

Non-Destructive Three-Dimensional Phenotyping of Garlic Bulbs Based on Multi-View Imaging ↗

Traditional manual measurement of garlic bulb phenotypic traits is inefficient, subjective, poorly reproducible, and may cause sample damage. To improve the adaptability of three-dimensional reconstruction to garlic bulb morphology and grading-related parameter extraction, this study developed a non-destructive phenotypic measurement workflow based on multi-view image-based three-dimensional reconstruction. Four garlic materials with distinct bulb morphologies and epidermal characteristics were used to demonstrate the feasibility of the reconstruction workflow, and 40 Lanling white-skinned garlic bulbs were used for quantitative accuracy validation. Multi-view images were acquired using a high-resolution camera, a motorized turntable, and a controlled illumination system. Three-dimensional models were reconstructed using ContextCapture, and the resulting point clouds were processed in CloudCompare through cropping, denoising, downsampling, and pose correction. Maximum longitudinal diameter, maximum transverse diameter, and volume were extracted from the processed point clouds according to GB/T 45244-2025 (Grades and Specifications of Garlic) and validated against manual reference measurements. The coefficients of determination for maximum longitudinal diameter, maximum transverse diameter, and volume were 0.9935, 0.9909, and 0.9924, respectively, with RMSE values of 0.0529 cm, 0.0520 cm, and 0.8874 cm3, and MAPE values of 0.6647%, 0.7765%, and 1.9149%. Additional MAE, bias, confidence interval, and Bland–Altman analyses further supported the agreement between model-derived and manual reference measurements. These results demonstrate the feasibility of multi-view image-based three-dimensional reconstruction for non-destructive garlic bulb phenotypic measurement and provide a methodological basis for future grading-related assessment and three-dimensional phenotyping of bulbous horticultural crops.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsニンニク球の形態形質を非破壊的に取得する3D画像計測ワークフローを開発し、手動測定と定量検証しており、フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractthis study developed a non-destructive phenotypic measurement workflow based on multi-view image-based three-dimensional reconstruction.

Comparative Evaluation of Wheat Cultivars for Root Architecture Traits Based on Rhizo-Vision Explorer Measurement Under Water Stress ↗

Description: Background: Water scarcity severely threatens wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in arid and semi-arid regions like Pakistan, requiring the development of climate-resilient crop varieties. Root System Architecture (RSA) is critical for drought tolerance, yet evaluating these "hidden half" traits has traditionally been limited by destructive, time-consuming field methods. Objective: This study comparatively evaluates the RSA and drought adaptability of four prominent wheat cultivars—Akbar-19, Fakhar-e-Bhakkar-19, Dilkash-19, and CN3—under varying water stress conditions. Methodology: The experiment was conducted in a controlled rhizobox setup at the speed breeding facility of CSI-NARC, Islamabad. Four cultivars were exposed to three irrigation levels ($100\%$, $75\%$, and $50\%$ field capacity). Digital root phenotyping was performed using the open-source software Rhizo Vision Explorer to evaluate 2D scanned images for traits including total root length, root diameter, volume, surface area, and branching frequency. Key Findings: The analysis revealed distinct genotypic strategies for drought adaptation. CN-3 (G2) emerged as highly promising for water-limited environments, demonstrating the highest relative water content (RWC) stability ($71.27\%$), thickest root profiles ($7.95\text{ mm}$), and largest root volume ($1,773.2\text{ mm}^3$). Dilkash-19 (G3) showed strong structural stability with a consistent root length ($160.33\text{ mm}$), while Fakhar-E-Bhakkar-19 (G4) excelled in root surface area ($2,145.8\text{ mm}^2$) and root tip density ($958.99\text{ tips}$), signaling high potential for nutrient foraging. Conversely, Akbar-19 (G1) displayed lower adaptability due to lower RWC and limited root volume. Significance: This research bridges the gap between digital phenotyping platforms and traditional breeding practices. It identifies vital genetic donors like CN3 and Dilkash-19 for breeding programs targeting drought tolerance, offering practical pathways to sustain wheat productivity and strengthen food security under changing climatic conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsRhizo Vision Explorerを用いた根系画像解析が研究の中心で、根長・径・体積・表面積・分枝などの植物形質をデジタル抽出しているため、実質的な植物フェノタイピング応用研究である。

abstractDigital root phenotyping was performed using the open-source software Rhizo Vision Explorer to evaluate 2D scanned images for traits including total root length, root diameter, volume, surface area, and branching frequency.

Comparative Evaluation of Wheat Cultivars for Root Architecture Traits Based on Rhizo-Vision Explorer Measurement Under Water Stress ↗

Description: Background: Water scarcity severely threatens wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in arid and semi-arid regions like Pakistan, requiring the development of climate-resilient crop varieties. Root System Architecture (RSA) is critical for drought tolerance, yet evaluating these "hidden half" traits has traditionally been limited by destructive, time-consuming field methods. Objective: This study comparatively evaluates the RSA and drought adaptability of four prominent wheat cultivars—Akbar-19, Fakhar-e-Bhakkar-19, Dilkash-19, and CN3—under varying water stress conditions. Methodology: The experiment was conducted in a controlled rhizobox setup at the speed breeding facility of CSI-NARC, Islamabad. Four cultivars were exposed to three irrigation levels ($100\%$, $75\%$, and $50\%$ field capacity). Digital root phenotyping was performed using the open-source software Rhizo Vision Explorer to evaluate 2D scanned images for traits including total root length, root diameter, volume, surface area, and branching frequency. Key Findings: The analysis revealed distinct genotypic strategies for drought adaptation. CN-3 (G2) emerged as highly promising for water-limited environments, demonstrating the highest relative water content (RWC) stability ($71.27\%$), thickest root profiles ($7.95\text{ mm}$), and largest root volume ($1,773.2\text{ mm}^3$). Dilkash-19 (G3) showed strong structural stability with a consistent root length ($160.33\text{ mm}$), while Fakhar-E-Bhakkar-19 (G4) excelled in root surface area ($2,145.8\text{ mm}^2$) and root tip density ($958.99\text{ tips}$), signaling high potential for nutrient foraging. Conversely, Akbar-19 (G1) displayed lower adaptability due to lower RWC and limited root volume. Significance: This research bridges the gap between digital phenotyping platforms and traditional breeding practices. It identifies vital genetic donors like CN3 and Dilkash-19 for breeding programs targeting drought tolerance, offering practical pathways to sustain wheat productivity and strengthen food security under changing climatic conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsRhizo Vision Explorerによるデジタル根系表現型計測が研究の主要な方法として明示され、根長・径・体積・表面積・分枝などの植物形質を抽出しているため。

abstractDigital root phenotyping was performed using the open-source software Rhizo Vision Explorer to evaluate 2D scanned images for traits including total root length, root diameter, volume, surface area, and branching frequency.

Tillering structures the genotypic variability of wheat vegetative growth and its plasticity under water deficit. ↗

Whole plant leaf expansion (shoot expansion) under drought drives the trade-off between water saving for later grain production and canopy photosynthesis. Fine-tuning shoot expansion could therefore become a target of genetic progress for drought-prone environments. However, its components (axis production, i.e. tillering, leaf production on each axis, and individual leaf elongation) may have their own genotypic variability and plasticity under drought, making hard to calibrate crop simulation models and specify breeding targets. In this study, we focused on the genetic diversity of bread wheat and durum wheat to determine the links and trade-offs between the underlying processes of shoot expansion under drought and how it translates at the whole plant and canopy level. For that, we used non-destructive imaging both in the field and controlled condition platforms to determine their dynamics and analyze their relative contribution to the genotypic variability of whole-plant shoot expansion under drought. Results show that shoot expansion measured at plant level in controlled environment was associated with that measured at canopy level in the field, indicating that controlled phenotyping platforms can capture the genotypic variability of growth in the field. Both whole-plant and canopy expansion were associated with tillering rate. In addition, the sensitivity of shoot growth and tillering to soil water deficit were correlated, indicating that both tillering ability and sensitivity to water deficit drive the genotypic variability of shoot expansion. Overall, dissecting shoot- expansion dynamics allowed determining the links between shoot expansion traits under drought, and provides key targets in phenotyping, modelling and breeding for drought environments.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods非破壊画像と管理環境・圃場のフェノタイピングプラットフォームを用いて、シュート伸長・分げつの動態を測定し、環境間での性能を比較しているため、表現型取得法の応用が研究の中心的要素です。

abstractFor that, we used non-destructive imaging both in the field and controlled condition platforms to determine their dynamics and analyze their relative contribution to the genotypic variability of whole-plant shoot expansion under drought.

Application of geometric morphometrics for variety identification in Rubus crataegifolius : a comparison of primocane and floricane leaf morphology. ↗

Accurate identification of crop varieties is essential for plant breeding programs and the protection of Plant Breeders' Rights (PBR), yet traditional morphological assessment methods remain subjective and time-consuming, particularly for species with complex morphological diversity such as Rubus crataegifolius . This study demonstrates that geometric morphometric techniques provide an objective, quantitative complementary approach for distinguishing Korean raspberry varieties, addressing the limitations of subjective visual assessment while remaining compatible with molecular marker analysis. We employed three complementary morphometric approaches: landmark-based analysis (19 anatomical points capturing vein junctions and leaf margins), Elliptic Fourier Descriptors (EFD) for outline contours, and a hybrid landmark-EFD dataset. Using these approaches, we analyzed primocane and floricane leaves from 10 accessions of R. crataegifolius comprising 8 varieties and 2 landraces and performed principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) with leave-one-out cross-validation. As a result, among the three morphometric approaches applied to primocane and floricane leaves, landmark-based analysis of primocane leaves achieved the highest classification accuracy (87.2%), with an overall average accuracy of 72.0% (range: 51.1-87.2%) across all six analytical combinations. LDA visualization suggested the presence of four major morphological groups, and primocane leaves exhibited higher discriminatory power than floricane leaves, which may reflect greater morphological uniformity under normal growing conditions. Landmark analysis effectively detected subtle differences in leaf venation and leaflet architecture that are difficult to distinguish visually, highlighting the capacity of morphometrics for objective and multidimensional morphological analysis. These findings suggest that morphometric analysis provides a practical and cost-effective preliminary screening tool, complementary to molecular approaches, for supporting Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability (DUS) examination in raspberry variety evaluation. This approach shows strong potential for offering a scalable solution for variety registration and protection and supporting sustainable horticultural development.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods葉の形態を幾何学的モルフォメトリクスで定量化し、品種識別とDUS評価に応用した研究で、表現型の取得・解析手法が中心である。

abstractThis study demonstrates that geometric morphometric techniques provide an objective, quantitative complementary approach for distinguishing Korean raspberry varieties

3D micro–X-ray tomography of lumen space in dried stem, branch, and outer tissues of Moringa oleifera: A structural case study ↗

Abstract Moringa oleifera is widely used in dry tropical and subtropical regions due to its rapid growth and high nutritional value, yet its internal tissue organization has primarily been described using two-dimensional anatomical approaches. Here, we present a three-dimensional micro–X-ray computed tomography (micro-XCT) characterization of lumen space in stem, branch, and outer tissues (bark region) from a single M. oleifera individual. Samples were oven-dried prior to imaging; therefore, the quantified void fraction represents apparent lumen/void space in dried material and should not be interpreted as in vivo porosity. Micro-XCT datasets were segmented to quantify cross-sectional lumen area distributions and apparent void fraction from pooled reconstructed slices. All data originate from a single individual; reported metrics represent structural descriptors of pooled cross-sections and not replicated biological measurements. The stem dataset exhibited a dense arrangement of small lumen features and a high number of segmented objects, consistent with a compact woody tissue organization in the scanned region. The branch dataset showed a larger proportion of void space and a strongly right-skewed size distribution with a minority of large lumen features. The outer tissue dataset displayed heterogeneous void space organization, which likely reflects a mixture of cell lumens, intercellular spaces, and drying-related cracks, and therefore is reported descriptively without assigning xylem-vessel identity. This study provides a conservative 3D structural dataset and an image-analysis workflow for quantifying lumen space in dried M. oleifera tissues, complementing published anatomical descriptions. The results highlight strong within-plant heterogeneity across tissue types and underscore the importance of sample preparation and histological validation when interpreting micro-XCT measurements in woody plants.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods乾燥植物組織の3D micro-XCT画像から管腔・空隙の構造形質を抽出する画像解析ワークフローとデータセットが研究の中心であり、単なる生物学的測定ではない。

abstractMicro-XCT datasets were segmented to quantify cross-sectional lumen area distributions and apparent void fraction from pooled reconstructed slices.

Medium-adaptive wideband near-field antenna for microwave detection of internal cavities in plant stems ↗

Abstract This paper presents a novel medium-adaptive wideband near-field antenna for early detection of internal cavities in plant stems, including branches and small trunks. Unlike conventional antennas designed for free-space operation, the proposed antenna is explicitly engineered to operate in close proximity to a lossy, anisotropic, and dispersive cylindrical medium representing wood tissues. A physics-based electromagnetic model of the stem is incorporated into the design process, enabling accurate optimization under realistic dielectric loading conditions. The antenna consists of a compact quasi-planar dipole with blended arms integrated with a medium-adaptive dual-ring balun that ensures balanced current excitation and stable impedance matching under strong near-field loading. Both simulation and experimental measurements demonstrate wideband impedance matching to a 50 Ω source over the 2.0–3.0 GHz frequency range. Surface current distribution and specific absorption rate (SAR) analyses confirm efficient electromagnetic coupling into the stem tissues with minimal radiation leakage. To evaluate the sensing capability of the proposed design, a conceptual two-element antenna system is introduced as a feasibility study for cavity detection. The detection performance is assessed through a sensitivity-driven framework based on variations in both self- and mutual-scattering parameters. A comprehensive sensitivity analysis is conducted to quantify the response of the system to changes in cavity diameter, radial position, and angular location. The results demonstrate that while the reflection coefficient is primarily sensitive to near-surface inhomogeneities, the mutual coupling between antenna elements provides strong and reliable sensitivity to internal cavity characteristics. Based on the sensitivity analysis, an optimal operating frequency band centered at 2.76 GHz and an appropriate antenna clearance are identified to maximize detection performance. The proposed antenna and sensing methodology are further validated through experimental measurements, confirming the consistency with numerical results. Simulation results demonstrate cavity-detection sensitivity, while experimental measurements validate the antenna impedance matching and mutual-coupling characteristics. The compact geometry of the antenna enables scalable multi-element configurations, establishing a practical framework for non-destructive, microwave-based monitoring of internal tree degradation in agricultural and forestry applications.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物茎内の空洞という状態をマイクロ波で非破壊検出するアンテナとセンシング手法を開発し、シミュレーションおよび実験で検証しており、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractThis paper presents a novel medium-adaptive wideband near-field antenna for early detection of internal cavities in plant stems, including branches and small trunks.

Quantitative morphological phenotyping of infection structures in cucumber downy mildew and powdery mildew. ↗

Introduction: Cucumber diseases severely affect yield and quality. Deep learning-based analysis of microscopic pathogen images enables high-throughput identification and counting of pathogens, thereby facilitating early disease detection. However, most existing pathogen-recognition methods focus mainly on qualitative identification and cannot quantitatively characterize pathogen morphology, which limits their ability to reveal the developmental characteristics and functional differentiation of different infection structures from the perspective of pathogen morphology-function adaptability. Methods: To address this issue, this study focused on cucumber powdery mildew and downy mildew and achieved precise extraction and characterization of pathogen morphological features based on microscopic image instance segmentation. First, an in situ stained microscopic image dataset of cucumber pathogens was constructed. Second, an instance segmentation model, SWS-YOLO11n, was developed for cucumber pathogen infection structures to accurately identify and segment different infection structures in microscopic images. Finally, morphological analysis methods were used to quantitatively extract and characterize pathogen infection-structure features. Results: values greater than 0.90. In addition, category-wise morphological distribution analysis showed that different infection-structure types exhibited clear differentiation in size, contour complexity, and elongation. Discussion: This study provides an effective tool for high-throughput phenotyping of cucumber pathogen infection structures. The proposed method offers methodological support for disease diagnosis, pathogen morphological phenotyping, and precision disease management in horticultural production.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods顕微鏡画像のインスタンスセグメンテーションを開発し、キュウリ病原体の感染構造の形態形質を定量抽出する手法が中心である。

abstractan instance segmentation model, SWS-YOLO11n, was developed for cucumber pathogen infection structures to accurately identify and segment different infection structures in microscopic images.

A Single-Operator Push-Cart Multi-Beam LiDAR Platform for Multi-Trait Field Phenotyping ↗

Here, we present a single-operator push-cart platform equipped with a 16-beam LiDAR. A push-button interface controls data acquisition, and the data processing pipeline removes ground points, filters noise, performs 5-cm voxelization, and produces plot-level canopy metrics. We validated biomass estimation in hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) and corn (Zea mays) leaf- and whole-plant thinning experiments. In vetch, voxelized estimation of plant volume correlated strongly with destructively measured biomass (r2 = 0.88), showing that the multi-beam LiDAR can produce biomass estimates comparable to previously reported methods. In corn, comparisons of perpendicular (0°) and multi-angle LiDAR beams showed significantly greater voxel counts in the upper canopy when angled beams were used (beam angle × height interaction, p < 0.001), demonstrating that multi-beam scanning provides greater penetration into the upper canopy than a single perpendicular scan plane. We also extended the suite of LiDAR-derived traits to include apparent leaf area index (LAI), mean tilt angle (MTA), persistent homology-based stand density, and plot-bounded foliage area density (FAD). The persistent homology algorithm distinguished between leaf-removal and plant-removal treatments (removal type × removal amount, p = 0.0039). LiDAR-derived LAI has been used to estimate canopy leaf area, but gap-fraction approaches do not fully exploit the ability of LiDAR to resolve distance. Plot-bounded FAD used ray length and interception distance within defined plot volumes and was more sensitive to plot-level treatments than apparent LAI or MTA, detecting differences associated with both the removal amount and removal type. These results show that a robust, portable, multi-beam LiDAR cart can reproduce plot-level canopy measurements and improve trait especially in research-sized plots.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods携帯型マルチビームLiDARプラットフォームと処理パイプラインを開発・検証し、バイオマス、LAI、葉面積密度などの作物形質を推定しているため、フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

titleA Single-Operator Push-Cart Multi-Beam LiDAR Platform for Multi-Trait Field Phenotyping

RootHairAreaFinder: an image processing method for quantifying barley root growth and root hairs simultaneously in a flat rhizotron system. ↗

Root system architecture and root hairs highly influence plant resource uptake, yet their simultaneous quantification at the whole-plant scale remains challenging due to the conflicting requirements of high-resolution imaging and non-destructive, repeated measurements. Here, we present a plant growth and imaging system based on A3 sized flatbed rhizotrons, combined with a non-machine-learning image analysis workflow implemented in R, that enables repeated, in situ quantification of barley root system architecture and accompanied visible projected root hair area (VP root hair area) over three weeks of growth. The system produces integrated outputs highlighting both whole-root architecture and the spatial distribution of surrounding root hairs from single images. Validation of the image analysis algorithm showed good segmentation performance, with average Matthews Correlation Coefficient values of 0.68 for projected root area and 0.65 for VP root hair area. To demonstrate its experimental applicability, the system was used to assess root growth and root hair responses under controlled environmental conditions, combining three irrigation regimes (2, 4, and 6 irrigation events per day) with three dry bulk density levels (1.4, 1.5, and 1.6 g cm -3 ). In addition to whole-system metrics, the approach enables analysis of root hair expansion at individual root tips. This methodology provides a training-free method for integrated analysis of root traits e.g. projected root size, root growth, root diameter and root hairs under controlled physical conditions similar to soil, facilitating studies of root-soil interactions that require both spatial resolution and temporal continuity.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods根系形態と根毛面積を画像から定量する画像解析ワークフローおよび生育・撮像システムを開発し、アルゴリズム性能も検証しているため、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractwe present a plant growth and imaging system based on A3 sized flatbed rhizotrons, combined with a non-machine-learning image analysis workflow implemented in R

Using unoccupied aerial systems (UAS) and photogrammetry to estimate tree height and trunk diameter of urban American elm trees ↗

Urban forest health may be monitored and supported with the implementation and maintenance of an accurate community tree inventory. The longitudinal recording of a tree’s attributes (i.e. diameter and height) may inform potential inputs and activities related to maintenance, health, and the establishment of a tree protection zone. Urban tree inventories feature barriers to implementation including resources (i.e. labour, time, and finances), competing priorities, and gaps in knowledge. The objectives of this case study were to investigate the feasibility of structure-from-motion (SfM) approaches to measure tree height and trunk diameter (1) with oblique RGB imagery, (2) with and without GCP, and (3) during leaf-off and leaf-on conditions. Structure-from-Motion datasets were obtained using Unoccupied Aerial Systems (UAS) – “drones” and related components – to collect oblique aerial imagery, which was processed with photogrammetry software Agisoft Metashape. Tree height measurements using leaf-on imagery (R2 = 0.58, RMSE = 1.34 m) were more accurate when compared to leaf-off imagery with Ground Control Points (GCP) (R2 = 0.47, RMSE = 3.41 m) and leaf-off imagery without GCPs (R2 = 0.43, RMSE = 3.49 m). Tree height measurements during the leaf-off period had no significant difference when comparing imagery with and without GCPs. Trunk diameter measurements using leaf-off imagery were not significantly different with the use of GCPs (R2 = 0.68, RMSE = 6.39 cm) compared to those without (R2 = 0.68, RMSE = 7.85 cm). This case study highlights the applicability and accuracy of Unoccupied Aerial Systems and Structure-from-Motion methods when collecting important urban tree inventory parameters, and presents an accessible, reliable, and replicable workflow for urban forestry practitioners with limited photogrammetry-related experience.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAS-SfMフォトグラメトリによる樹高・幹径という植物形態形質の推定法を開発・比較検証し、精度と再現可能なワークフローを評価しているため、方法が中心的です。

abstractThe objectives of this case study were to investigate the feasibility of structure-from-motion (SfM) approaches to measure tree height and trunk diameter

Toward Autonomous Crop Sensing: High-Frequency UAV-Based RGB and Thermal Imaging of Maize and Soybean ↗

Abstract Precision field management and high-throughput plant phenotyping increasingly rely on remote sensing to capture spatial and temporal variability in crop performance. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) – based sensing offers unique advantages for field-scale data collection, including high spatial resolution, flexible deployment, and scalable throughput. However, the full potential of UAV platforms remains constrained by labor-intensive operations across flight execution, data transfer, and processing workflows. This study presents a systematic evaluation of an automatic UAV-based crop sensing platform through a season-long, multi-crop field experiment. Data acquisition was conducted over a maize irrigation trial and a soybean breeding experiment, resulting in 176 completed flights over 28 days during the growing season. High-frequency flights on selected days captured diurnal dynamics in key canopy traits, including maize leaf rolling under drought stress and genotype-dependent plot temperature variation in soybean. In the maize irrigation experiment, significant differences in diurnal canopy cover ratio (CCR) were observed among irrigation treatments. The predictive relationship between CCR and final grain yield strengthened throughout the day, with the coefficient of determination (R 2 ) increasing from 0.05 in the early morning (RMSE = 3.05 Mg ha − 1 ) to 0.65 at midday (RMSE = 1.87 Mg ha − 1 ), highlighting the importance of temporal optimization in UAV-based sensing. Temperature measurements from the onboard thermal infrared camera showed a strong overall linear correlation with ground truth measurements (R 2 = 0.85). In the soybean trial, the highest plot temperature was observed on the fast-wilting genotype. Additionally, regression models were developed to estimate key crop traits, including canopy height (CH) and leaf area index (LAI), demonstrating the platform’s quantitative sensing capability. Overall, this study demonstrates that automatic UAV systems enable high-temporal-resolution crop monitoring while substantially reducing operational cost. The results highlight their potential for precise crop management and scalable field phenotyping. Future work will focus on integrating automated data processing pipelines to support near-real-time analytics and decision-making.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods自動UAVのRGB・熱画像センシング platform を圃場で系統的に評価し、温度・キャノピー被覆率・高さ・LAIなどの植物形質を定量化しているため、フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study presents a systematic evaluation of an automatic UAV-based crop sensing platform through a season-long, multi-crop field experiment.

Plant area index estimation from UAV LiDAR time-series over cherry orchards ↗

Purpose In recent years, there has been a growing use of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data for mapping plant area index (PAI) in orchards. However, using LiDAR time-series collected throughout the growing season to assess PAI variations in response to phenology, represents an understudied area of investigation. Furthermore, establishing the optimal spatial resolution for mapping biophysical variables of tree crops from LiDAR point cloud data remains poorly defined. Here, we assess the capability of a UAV-based LiDAR system to characterize cherry trees throughout the growing season, with a focus on monitoring PAI and the vertical structure of individual trees. Methods A time-series of 14 point cloud acquisitions with a density of 3300 points/m2 was collected between February and December 2022, covering all phenological stages of a cherry orchard in southern France. A voxel-based method was applied to create a three-dimensional grid within which PAI was estimated for each voxel. PAI was mapped by accumulating the individual voxel-based PAI values within each vertical voxel column. Results The results demonstrate that a voxel size of at least 0.7 m is required to retrieve reliable PAI estimates (RMSE = 0.58 m2.m−2, MAE = 0.48 m2.m−2, bias = 0.19 m2.m−2, rRMSE = 23%, and R2 = 0.51), while a voxel size of 1 m produced the most accurate PAI estimates (RMSE = 0.5 m2.m−2, MAE = 0.41 m2.m−2, bias = 0.07 m2.m−2, R2 = 0.59), when assessed against field-based PAI measurements obtained with a LAI-2200 Plant Canopy Analyzer. The temporal variation of canopy PAI illustrated the progression of key phenological stages, including flowering, leaf development, ripening and senescence, as well as the response of the canopy to drought stress (reduction in PAI due to leaf rolling) during the summer. The maps of PAI successfully described the variations in leaf canopy density for different cherry varieties and allowed assessment of the vertical PAI profile at the individual tree level, which provides valuable insight into tree condition. Conclusion This study confirms that seasonal UAV-LiDAR monitoring is a viable, informative approach for capturing orchard canopy dynamics at the individual tree and sub-canopy level, linking canopy structure to phenology, varietal differences, and stress responses across the growing season.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV-LiDARとボクセル法による樹冠PAI・垂直構造の推定手法を開発・検証し、時系列および個体レベルで評価しているため、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractHere, we assess the capability of a UAV-based LiDAR system to characterize cherry trees throughout the growing season, with a focus on monitoring PAI and the vertical structure of individual trees.

ROOTQUANT: AUTOMATED ROOT TRAIT QUANTIFICATION FROMMINIRHIZOTRON IMAGES USING DEEP LEARNING ↗

A bstract Quantifying root traits such as root length (RL) and root surface area (RSA) from minirhizotron imagery is a valuable approach for overcoming the phenotyping bottleneck that limits understanding and improvement of crop productivity, resource use efficiency and resilience in field experiments. However, current approaches remain labor-intensive, and deep learning (DL) methods suffer from limited generalization ability. We present RootQuant, an end-to-end DL model that simultaneously predicts RL and RSA directly from minirhizotron images using only whole-image trait values as supervision, thereby eliminating the need for pixel-level annotations. The model’s generalization ability was evaluated across species and fine-tuning configurations. The practical applicability of the model was further assessed under field conditions by converting image-derived RL estimates into volumetric root length density (vRLD). Using 118,191 maize and soybean images collected between 2009 and 2020, RootQuant trained on both species achieved an R 2 of 0.90 and an RMSE of 2.9 mm for RL, and an R 2 of 0.88 and an RMSE of 4.2 mm 2 for RSA. The same mixed-species model generalized strongly across species, yielding an 8% relative improvement in R 2 and a 30% lower RMSE on maize compared with the same architecture trained on a single species and applied zero-shot. Image-derived RL predictions converted to vRLD showed the expected depth-dependent decline in vRLD, as was also found by coincident destructive quantification of roots washed out of soil cores. By providing a generalist backbone model trained on a large dataset from two major crop species, RootQuant enables high-throughput simultaneous estimation of two relevant root traits directly from raw imagery without task-specific fine-tuning, thereby accelerating in situ root system analysis and phenotyping applications.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsミニライゾトロン画像から根長・根表面積を推定する深層学習手法を開発し、種間一般化と圃場適用性を評価しており、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractWe present RootQuant, an end-to-end DL model that simultaneously predicts RL and RSA directly from minirhizotron images using only whole-image trait values as supervision

F2DMAS: a smartphone video-based 3D phenotyping workflow for potted plants in complex backgrounds ↗

Introduction: Plant phenotyping requires accurate and repeatable three-dimensional structural information, but practical acquisition conditions in greenhouses, seedling rooms, and indoor pot experiments often include complex backgrounds, handheld motion blur, and thin leaf structures. These factors reduce the robustness of conventional three-dimensional reconstruction methods and limit their use in low-cost and automated phenotyping. Methods: To address this problem, this paper proposes F2DMAS, an automated three-dimensional plant phenotyping workflow using consumer-grade smartphone videos. The workflow first converts multiview RGB videos into image sequences and removes motion-blurred frames through frequency-domain quality filtering. A frequency-spatial plant segmentation module, termed FSAM3, is then introduced to separate plant structures from complex backgrounds without task-specific annotated training data. The segmented image sequences are further reconstructed using 2D Gaussian Splatting, followed by TSDF-based meshing, scale recovery, and virtual measurement for extracting plant height, canopy width, leaf length, and leaf width. Results: Experiments were conducted on 15 plant species under two acquisition scenarios. The proposed workflow achieved stable plant reconstruction under non-ideal background conditions, with PSNR, SSIM, and LPIPS values of 31.09, 0.9711, and 0.0365, respectively. Compared with the baseline reconstruction workflow, F2DMAS substantially reduced the processing time for mesh extraction while improving reconstruction quality. The extracted phenotypic traits showed strong agreement with manual measurements, with R² values ranging from 0.90 to 0.99, RMSE values ranging from 0.64 to 1.21 cm, and MAPE values ranging from 4.50% to 9.73%. Discussion: These results indicate that F2DMAS can provide an end-to-end workflow from smartphone video acquisition and plant segmentation to three-dimensional reconstruction and phenotypic trait extraction. The proposed method offers a practical and deployable solution for greenhouse seedling cultivation, potted plant experiments, and low-cost three-dimensional plant phenotyping.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsスマートフォン動画から植物の3D構造を再構成し、複数の形態形質を抽出・検証するワークフロー自体が中心的な方法論的貢献である。

abstractThe extracted phenotypic traits showed strong agreement with manual measurements, with R² values ranging from 0.90 to 0.99

Harnessing high-throughput phenotyping and artificial intelligence for soybean breeding: From trait assessment to data-driven decisions ↗

(L.) Merrill) is a highly important crop widely used for food, edible oil, animal feed, and microbial fermentation products. Traditional phenotypic measurement methods are often time-consuming, labor-intensive, destructive to plants, and prone to human error. High-Throughput Phenotyping (HTP) enables precise assessment of multiple soybean phenotypic features, including morphology, physiology, diseases, pests, and agronomic traits. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a research field dedicated to developing algorithms for multiple tasks. This review highlights the application of HTP and AI in soybean breeding programs. We discuss the challenges of implementing HTP in soybean breeding and focus on the potential and limitations of Deep Learning (DL) to support soybean breeding goals. We demonstrate the application of HTP to key soybean traits, several HTP platforms, as well as DL applications across different datasets and strategies for developing large foundation models. While integrating AI into soybean breeding programs remains a challenge, leveraging HTP data and Large Language Models (LLMs) could reshape soybean breeding.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods大豆育種におけるHTPとAIの応用、形質評価、プラットフォーム、データセットおよび深層学習を中心に扱うフェノタイピング手法レビューであり、方法論が中心的です。

abstractThis review highlights the application of HTP and AI in soybean breeding programs.

Building blocks for 3D fuelbeds: object-centered scanning and meshing protocol ↗

Abstract Background Accurate modeling of wildland fuelbeds requires knowledge of not only where fuels are in three-dimensional (3D) space but also what they are. In this study, we introduce an object-based scanning protocol designed to generate detailed three-dimensional mesh models of individual fuel particles (e.g., seedlings, shrubs, litter, and cones) using an industrial-grade laser scanner. While traditional terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) or photogrammetric approaches tend to require objects to be segmented from broader-scope environment-level point clouds, our approach begins with the object itself. Results By scanning discrete plant parts in controlled conditions and capturing their morphology, surface area, and volume at sub-millimeter precision, we create a methodological foundation for fuel characterization that is structurally explicit and ecologically specific. We also propose a flexible workflow to adapt the scanning process for the extensive natural range of variation in fuel object structures, classifying individual objects based on their structural complexity. Conclusions Digital twins of wildland fuel plants and particles serve as building blocks for future integration with machine learning techniques to improve wildland fuelbed classification and simulation. Our approach shifts the basis of 3D fuels modeling from environmental scanning toward object-driven understanding with implications for fire behavior, emissions, and ecological modeling.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods個別の植物・植物部位をレーザースキャンし、形態・表面積・体積を抽出するオブジェクト中心の3D計測プロトコル自体が研究の中心であり、植物形態のフェノタイピング手法に該当する。

abstractwe introduce an object-based scanning protocol designed to generate detailed three-dimensional mesh models of individual fuel particles (e.g., seedlings, shrubs, litter, and cones) using an industrial-grade laser scanner.

Smart non-destructive prediction of antioxidant, mineral, and essential oil traits in Persian parsley (Petroselinum crispum Mill.) landraces. ↗

An integrative principal component analysis-artificial neural network (PCA-ANN) framework was developed to characterize ecotypic variation among parsley landraces and predict quality-related traits in medicinal and aromatic plants. Fifteen Iranian parsley landraces collected from diverse agro-ecological regions, together with two commercial cultivars as reference genotypes, were analyzed to establish predictive links between easily measurable morphological traits and key biochemical, mineral, and essential-oil (EO) characteristics. Twenty-one independent morphological variables were recorded and used as model inputs. To minimize redundancy and multicollinearity, PCA was applied exclusively to the morphological dataset, reducing it to a smaller set of uncorrelated components that preserved most of the variance. These components served as input features for optimized ANN architectures developed to predict antioxidant properties, EO yield and composition, and mineral nutrient content. The resulting PCA-ANN framework achieved strong predictive performance, with R² up to 0.94. It accurately predicted antioxidant, mineral, and compositional profiles from morphological traits alone, demonstrating the potential of morphological phenotyping as a rapid, non-destructive proxy for complex chemical analyses. This integrative modeling approach reduces reliance on time-consuming and costly procedures such as GC-MS and offers a practical decision-support tool for genotype selection, breeding, and quality evaluation in medicinal and aromatic crops. The proposed framework provides a scalable, data-driven strategy for advancing precision agriculture and sustainable management of herbal plant resources.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods形態形質から抗酸化性、精油、ミネラルなどを推定するPCA-ANNフレームワークの開発が研究の中心であり、形態フェノタイピングを用いた非破壊的な形質推定法に該当する。

abstractAn integrative principal component analysis-artificial neural network (PCA-ANN) framework was developed to characterize ecotypic variation among parsley landraces and predict quality-related traits in medicinal and aromatic plants.

Strengths and Limitations of Handheld Mobile Laser Scanning in Vegetation Assessment in Tropical Mangroves, Wetlands, and Rangelands Ecosystems, Queensland Australia ↗

Handheld Mobile Laser Scanning (HMLS) is increasingly used for high resolution 3D mapping in construction, mining and natural environments. This study evaluates the strengths and limitations of HMLS for vegetation assessment in diverse tropical eco-systems across north Queensland, Australia, including rangelands, grasslands, man-groves and estuarine wetland forests. We assessed the accuracy of HMLS-derived point clouds against ground-truth measurements and compared performance with UAV SfM–MVS surveying. HMLS achieved centimeter-level accuracy for vegetation metrics, with mean absolute errors of 8.5 cm for Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) in rangeland forests and 6.7 cm for tussock height. The system consistently produced high-density point clouds, enabling detailed characterization of vertical structure, particularly understory vegetation often obscured in aerial surveys. HMLS proved operationally flexible across closed-canopy wetlands, mangroves, rangeland forests and open grasslands. Key limi-tations included restricted horizontal point cloud penetration in dense vegetation, compounded by access constraints and environmental conditions, and point cloud drift in areas with few geometric features, such as grasslands, which introduced uncertainty in vegetation metrics. High computational demands further constrained workflow effi-ciency. Overall, HMLS demonstrates strong potential as an accurate and versatile tool for vegetation mapping and structural analysis in complex tropical ecosystems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsHMLSを用いた植物の3D形態・構造計測手法を開発的に評価し、地上真値およびUAV手法と比較検証しているため、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractThis study evaluates the strengths and limitations of HMLS for vegetation assessment

From Phenomics to Genomics: Macro-GWAS of Almond Morphology and Quality ↗

Abstract In plant breeding and genetics, recent advances in high-throughput phenotyping are beginning to meet the growing demand for large-scale, high-quality phenotypic data that emerged after the development of next-generation sequencing technologies. Recent developments in phenomics have been incorporated into almond breeding programs, facilitating the large-scale acquisition of quantitative phenotypes and the dissection of the genetic architecture underlying morphological and quality-related traits. The implementation of a high-throughput phenotyping platform integrating RGB and hyperspectral imaging with genotyping using the 60K almond SNP array enabled the large-scale characterization of almond populations and the identification of 567 robust marker–trait associations across 66 traits. These analyses revealed two major genomic hotspots on chromosomes 2 and 5 associated with morphological and quality-related traits. These regions harbored biologically relevant candidate genes, including genes associated with OVATE family proteins, brassinosteroid signaling, protein ubiquitination, and acyl-CoA metabolism, as well as other regulators of organ growth, cell proliferation, hormone signaling, and seed development. Furthermore, a novel candidate gene encoding a COMT-like O-methyltransferase involved in lignin biosynthesis was identified and proposed to contribute to shell hardness, a major genetically controlled trait in almond. Together, these findings demonstrate the potential of integrating high-throughput phenomics and genomics to dissect complex traits, identify candidate genes, and accelerate genomics-informed breeding in almond.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsRGB・ハイパースペクトル画像を統合した高スループット表現型解析プラットフォームの実装と大規模形質取得が研究の主要部分であり、単なる形質のルーチン測定ではない。

abstractThe implementation of a high-throughput phenotyping platform integrating RGB and hyperspectral imaging with genotyping using the 60K almond SNP array enabled the large-scale characterization of almond populations

Lodicule Isolation and Morphometric Analysis During Rice Floret Opening. ↗

Rice lodicules are specialized floral organs located at the base of the ovary that undergo dynamic morphological changes during the flowering period. Water uptake-driven swelling and subsequent dehydration-induced shrinkage of the lodicules trigger floret opening and closure, respectively. Although lodicules play a central role in floret movement, standardized methods for quantitatively monitoring their temporal morphological changes remain limited. Here, we describe a detailed and reproducible workflow for lodicule sampling, dissection, imaging, and quantitative morphometric analysis. Florets are collected at predefined clock time points during the flowering period, and lodicules are carefully isolated under a stereomicroscope. High-resolution imaging is performed under consistent acquisition settings, followed by precise measurement of lodicule length, width, and thickness using image analysis software. This protocol emphasizes positional consistency in sampling, uniform imaging parameters, and standardized data analysis to enhance reproducibility. This method is suitable for evaluating the effects of genetic background or environmental conditions on lodicule morphology. By providing a standardized analytical framework, this protocol enables accurate and quantitative morphometric analysis of rice lodicules during floret opening. Key features • Standardized time-point sampling minimizes variability caused by diurnal fluctuations and handling during lodicule morphometric analysis. • Enables reproducible isolation and imaging of rice lodicules while preserving native morphology and preventing dehydration-induced artifacts. • Time-resolved workflow enables analysis of rapid morphological changes associated with floret opening and closure. • Applicable for comparing genetic and environmental effects on lodicule morphology under controlled experimental conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsイネ小花器官の形態を標準化された採取・撮像・画像解析で定量する再現可能な表現型測定プロトコルが中心である。

abstractwe describe a detailed and reproducible workflow for lodicule sampling, dissection, imaging, and quantitative morphometric analysis.

Effects of tree-stripes on crop growth in agroforestry systems using unmanned aerial systems-based analysis ↗

Abstract Agroforestry systems (AFS) offer a promising strategy to address environmental challenges while supporting rising food demands. However, the complex interactions between trees and crops complicate research, particularly regarding their effects on crop yields. This study presents a methodological approach using multispectral unmanned aerial system (UAS) data to investigate a maize-cultivated alley cropping system in eastern Germany as a case study. Growth parameters, namely the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and plant height, were derived as proxies for yield and analyzed in relation to the distance from tree stripes. Additionally, direction-dependent regression analyses were conducted to assess whether spatial variations in the field could be attributed to the trees. Two distinct patterns emerged: first, a pronounced increase in NDVI was observed at close proximity to the trees, correlated with tree height and schematically illustrated for two representative tree stripes; second, at greater distances, fluctuations in NDVI were associated with the trees but lacked consistent directional trends. Considerable inconsistencies were also observed in plant height variations. The discussion highlights potential drivers of the close-range NDVI increase, the applicability of UAS for AFS research, and limitations in generalizing findings from a single case study. Overall, the results demonstrate that tree effects on crop growth and vitality are detectable but marginal in terms of their influence on maize yields at this site, while showcasing the utility of UAS-based approaches for field-scale analysis of AFS.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsマルチスペクトルUASからNDVIと植物高を抽出し、樹木からの距離に伴う作物形質を解析する手法の実質的適用が研究の中心であり、単なるルーチン測定を超える。

abstractThis study presents a methodological approach using multispectral unmanned aerial system (UAS) data to investigate a maize-cultivated alley cropping system in eastern Germany as a case study.

Structural Volume Composition of Internodes is a Key Morphological Factor Contributing to Culm Non-structural Carbohydrate Accumulation in Rice. ↗

Non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) stored in the stem play a crucial role in supporting yield formation in rice. However, internode morphological factors associated with NSC accumulation remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between internode morphology and NSC accumulation and to identify a robust morphological indicator for evaluating NSC accumulation capacity. Two years of field experiments were conducted using multiple cultivars. The NSC content was quantified for individual internodes and at the whole-plant culm level, and its relationships with internode morphological traits were analyzed. Since the upper internodes (UIN; first and second internodes) and lower internodes (LIN; third and subsequent internodes) exhibited contrasting roles in NSC accumulation, a novel index was introduced, the volume composition ratio (VCR) of UIN/LIN, which represents their relative volumetric contributions within a culm. The VCR of UIN/LIN showed the strongest correlation with culm NSC and high reproducibility across years, outperforming simple morphological traits. In addition, plant growth regulator treatments that altered VCR were accompanied by changes in culm NSC accumulation. Accordingly, the VCR of UIN/LIN serves as a robust morphological indicator of culm NSC accumulation capacity, providing a practical framework for improving stem carbohydrate storage capacity in rice.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsイネ茎の形態からNSC蓄積能力を評価する新規指標VCRを導入し、複数年で再現性と既存形態形質との性能を検証しており、形態表現型の抽出・評価法が中心である。

abstracta novel index was introduced, the volume composition ratio (VCR) of UIN/LIN, which represents their relative volumetric contributions within a culm.

The Turning Point of 3D Plant Phenotyping: 3D Foundation Models Enable Minute-to-Second Cross-Crop Reconstruction and Beyond ↗

3D plant phenotyping is notoriously known to be procedure-complicated and of low throughput due to the extensive multi-view imaging, the fragile 3D reconstruction pipeline, and the additional cost from reconstructed geometry to phenotypic extraction. These limitations are further amplified in low-cost data acquisition, where smartphone videos or sparsely sampled multi-view images provide limited view overlap and self-occlusion. In this work, we show that the conventional 3D plant phenotyping pipeline could be streamlined and significantly accelerated with 3D Foundation Models (3DFMs), and particularly, present one of the first cross-crop 3D phenotyping frameworks powered by 3DFMs. The framework replaces COLMAP-style sparse initialization with 3DFM-based feed-forward geometric recovery, combines geometry-constrained 3D Gaussian Splatting for dense reconstruction, enables few-view reconstruction through iterative view synthesis and refinement, and converts reconstructed geometry into measurable organs through 2D-to-3D semantic transfer, metric scale recovery, and organ instance separation. We further construct a cross-crop dataset with smartphone-based image acquisition, diverse plant morphologies, and manual annotations for segmentation and phenotypic evaluation. Experiments across 26 plant sequences show that 3D Foundation Models reduce the average reconstruction time from 6.52 minutes to 1.58 seconds while maintaining high reconstruction quality and phenotyping accuracy. These results suggest a fresh technical route for high-throughput 3D plant phenotyping, from low-cost image acquisition to fast reconstruction, perception, scale recovery, and phenotypic measurement.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3D画像再構成から器官分離・形質測定までを統合した高速植物フェノタイピング手法を開発し、複数作物・データセットで性能評価しているため。

abstractpresent one of the first cross-crop 3D phenotyping frameworks powered by 3DFMs

Opening the black box: in situ imaging of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal structures in soil using synchrotron-based micro-CT. ↗

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) contribute to plant nutrient and water uptake via their extraradical hyphal networks. However, in situ methodologies to quantify architectural and morphological traits of these networks in soil are largely lacking, limiting our understanding of AMF-mediated resource transport. Using synchrotron-based X-ray computed microtomography (micro-CT), we established a workflow to cultivate, noninvasively image, and quantitatively analyze AMF hyphosphere and rhizosphere structures in the interaggregate space across two soil textures and biological contexts. We developed a pipeline for quantitative three-dimensional (3D) assessment of key architectural and morphological traits including structure counts, hyphal length, branching frequency, volume, and surface area. Our method further permits (1) measurement of AMF-soil and AMF-root interface areas and (2) microscale quantification of pore space occupancy by AMF. Micro-CT offers a tool for noninvasively visualizing AMF in air-filled soil pore space. We outline how such quantitative 3D information can be incorporated into image-based and functional-structural soil-plant models, thereby supporting a better mechanistic understanding of AMF-mediated processes in soils and plants.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods土壌中のAMF構造を対象に、micro-CT撮像と3D画像解析パイプラインを開発し、菌糸の形態・構造形質を定量化する方法が研究の中心であるため。

abstractin situ methodologies to quantify architectural and morphological traits of these networks in soil are largely lacking

Plant Acoustics for Evaluating Vase Life in Chrysanthemums: A Novel and Noninvasive Method ↗

ABSTRACT Vase life is a key determinant of cut flower quality and market value. Conventional vase life assessment relies on visual inspection and physiological monitoring over several days to weeks, making it labor‐ and time‐intensive. This study introduces a rapid and noninvasive approach using plant acoustics to assess postharvest vase‐life‐related variation in cut chrysanthemum flowers. Six chrysanthemum cultivars were grown under two supplemental lighting treatments (Hybrid and LED) and two planting densities (54 and 74 plants m −2 ). Acoustic monitoring was compared with optical microscopy for the assessment of xylem vessel diameter, while conventional vase‐life testing was performed in parallel. Optical microscopy validated the acoustic measurements, with both methods consistently identifying vessel radii around 10 μm. The acoustic radius (), derived from pulse settling time measurements, showed cultivar‐ and planting‐density‐specific variation. Linear mixed‐effects modelling demonstrated that the relationship between acoustic radius and vase life differed significantly among cultivars, indicating that a universal relationship across cultivars is not supported. These findings show that acoustic monitoring provides a meaningful noninvasive proxy for vase‐life‐associated stem traits and may serve as a useful cultivar‐calibrated tool for evaluating postharvest longevity in cut chrysanthemums.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の茎の道管径に基づく音響的な非破壊測定法を開発し、光学顕微鏡および花持ち試験で検証しているため、表現型取得法が研究の中心です。

abstractThis study introduces a rapid and noninvasive approach using plant acoustics to assess postharvest vase‐life‐related variation in cut chrysanthemum flowers.

A geometric framework for 3D leaf movement by orthonormal bases: a demonstration in Maranta leuconeura. ↗

Leaf orientation (posture) influences photosynthesis and plant responses to environmental cues. However, the existing methods for quantifying posture typically compress its inherently three-dimensional structure into scalar values or single vectors, leaving the 3D aspects of leaf movement poorly understood. For a more complete geometric description, we propose representing leaf-blade posture by an orthonormal basis (ONB), defined as three perpendicular unit vectors aligned with the developmental axes of the leaf. This ONB serves as a local coordinate system and corresponds to rotation matrices used to represent orientation in three-dimensional space, embedding leaf posture within the mathematical structure of the special orthogonal group SO(3). Using three-dimensional point-cloud data, we reconstructed an ONB aligned with the three axes of the leaf blade and quantified elevation and azimuth angles. When applied to diurnal posture changes, the resulting angular patterns were consistent with previous observations. We then visualized posture changes after gravitational perturbation as continuous rotational trajectories. These trajectories could be compared with mathematically defined geodesic shortest paths and used to simulate alternative reorientation routes that satisfy constraints. The rotational trajectories could also be separated into swing and twist components, which reflect distinct deformation modes. The ONB can be obtained not only from three-dimensional point clouds but also from other measurement tools, making the approach broadly applicable. Conceptually, ONB representation places leaf posture within the geometric structure of SO(3), enabling the use of well-established mathematical tools such as rotational distance and geodesics for analyzing leaf reorientation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods葉の3次元姿勢を点群から定量化・解析する幾何学的方法を提案し、日周変化と重力摂動で実証しているため、植物表現型取得・解析が中心である。

abstractwe propose representing leaf-blade posture by an orthonormal basis (ONB)

Lightweight contour-aware 2D Gaussian splatting under Plant-to-Camera ↗

The objective of this study was to develop a 3D plant modeling strategy that enables camera pose recovery from segmented plant images and the reconstruction of an initial point cloud. A lightweight, contour-aware framework leverages the view-consistent and surface-oriented representation of 2D Gaussian Splatting, making it suitable for plant surface reconstruction under the Plant-to-Camera mode. A contour-weighted Laplacian regularization suppresses depth discontinuities around plant boundaries, while simplified Gaussian primitives improve computational efficiency without compromising geometric fidelity. Organ-level semantics are integrated into the reconstructed geometry to distinguish plant organs such as leaves, stems, and ears. On maize and wheat datasets, our method outperformed existing approaches in terms of morphological fidelity, organ-level structural consistency, and processing speed, demonstrating its suitability for plant phenotyping

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物器官の3D再構成と形態情報抽出を目的とする計算手法を開発し、既存法と形態忠実度・器官構造整合性・処理速度で比較評価しており、フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractThe objective of this study was to develop a 3D plant modeling strategy that enables camera pose recovery from segmented plant images and the reconstruction of an initial point cloud.

A Review of Fruit Tree Canopy Branch Feature Extraction and 3D Reconstruction Algorithms ↗

Accurate perception and 3D reconstruction of fruit tree branch structures are fundamental to smart orchard development, with broad applications in intelligent harvesting, crop phenotyping, and precision management. However, the slender and highly branched morphology, multi-scale distribution, weak surface texture, and severe occlusion inherent to fruit tree branches pose substantial challenges to high-fidelity modeling. This paper systematically reviews advances in branch feature extraction and 3D reconstruction for fruit tree canopies. A structured literature search was conducted using the Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases, with search terms including “fruit tree branch”, “point cloud reconstruction”, “3D canopy modeling”, “branch feature extraction”, and “agricultural robotics”. Studies published between 2000 and 2025 were considered, with inclusion criteria requiring relevance to branch structure perception, reconstruction accuracy, or orchard application; non-peer-reviewed sources and studies lacking quantitative evaluation were excluded. We trace the evolution of feature extraction from classical 2D image processing and geometric fitting, through point cloud segmentation and skeleton extraction, to modern deep learning approaches and multimodal perception techniques. For 3D reconstruction, we compare active and passive sensing strategies alongside both explicit and implicit scene representation methods, discussing their respective strengths and applicable scenarios. A five-dimensional evaluation framework is also proposed, encompassing geometric accuracy, structural consistency, feature stability, computational efficiency, and generalization capability. Finally, we identify key bottlenecks in fine-grained structure recovery, occlusion handling, and cross-scene generalization, and highlight future directions in structural prior integration, multimodal collaborative modeling, and lightweight neural representations—offering a structured reference for advancing 3D perception research in smart orchards.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods果樹の枝構造の特徴抽出と3D再構成を対象とする、植物形態計測・表現型取得手法のレビューであり、方法論が中心です。

abstractThis paper systematically reviews advances in branch feature extraction and 3D reconstruction for fruit tree canopies.

Lightweight Real-Time Strawberry Volume Estimation Based on Instance Segmentation and Principal-Axis Slicing ↗

Real-time strawberry volume estimation is a pivotal technology for automated harvesting and precision grading. However, conventional contact methods are prone to damaging fruits, while existing vision-based approaches struggle to balance high accuracy with low computational overhead. To address these challenges, this study proposes a two-stage real-time volume estimation framework coupling a red-green-blue-depth (RGB-D) sensor with an “Instance segmentation–Principal-axis slicing” framework. First, to precisely extract target contours in complex backgrounds, we designed Deformable Feature Aware-YOLO (DFA-YOLO) based on the YOLO11-seg architecture. This model enhances the geometric perception of irregular fruit edges and effectively overcomes the challenges of background noise and multi-scale variations, providing high-precision masks for subsequent spatial mapping. Subsequently, a principal-axis-slicing algorithm extracts the mask’s centroid and principal axis, perpendicularly slicing the mask into infinitesimal micro-slices. By computing and accumulating the pixel-space volume of these slices, the system converts them into precise 3D physical volumes based on RGB-D depth mapping. The entire system was deployed on an NVIDIA Jetson Orin edge computing platform and validated in a greenhouse. Experimental results demonstrate that the estimated volume highly agrees with the true volume, achieving a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.945 and a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 9.0%. Under typical operating conditions (1–5 targets per field of view), the system maintains an overall frame rate of 8–15 FPS, requiring only 55 ms for single-fruit estimation. This method exhibits favorable stability and lightweight efficiency under the tested greenhouse conditions, offering a reliable solution for real-time non-destructive crop phenotypic monitoring in computationally constrained agricultural environments.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsイチゴ果実の体積という植物器官形質を、RGB-D画像、インスタンスセグメンテーション、主軸スライシングで推定する方法を開発し、精度とリアルタイム性能を検証しているため、フェノタイピング手法が中心です。

abstractthis study proposes a two-stage real-time volume estimation framework coupling a red-green-blue-depth (RGB-D) sensor with an “Instance segmentation–Principal-axis slicing” framework.

Field-scale robotic phenotyping of three-dimensional wheat canopy architectural traits ↗

Assessing tools for rapid evaluation of new cultivars across large fields is essential for improving crop yields and ensuring future food security. Current phenotyping approaches remain labor-intensive and imprecise at the field scale, particularly for traits determining light interception and the light extinction coefficient ( K ). While robotic phenotyping and three-dimensional (3D) models have gained interest in estimating light interception in plant canopies, primarily at the single-plant scale or using single-plant-derived virtual canopies, applications at the field-scale canopy level remain limited. In this study, a semi-automated robotic phenotyping platform, PhenoLinc, was deployed to obtain canopy-level multispectral 3D data across 200 diverse wheat genotypes grown under field conditions over two years. 3D canopy architecture revealed substantial genotype-specific variation in inclination angle and K , which influenced radiation use efficiency (RUE), contrasting with the constant K commonly assumed in conventional approaches. This architectural variation was classified as two distinct architectural phenotypes, erectophiles (median angle 65°) and planophiles (59°) at pre-anthesis stages, which converged toward being homogenous by the anthesis stage. Erectophile phenotypes exhibited higher RUE (33.1%) than planophile phenotypes, leading to a higher yield. In yield prediction analyses, 3D-derived architectural traits provided comparable predictive performance to conventional measurements, however, architectural phenotype information reduced prediction error. Together, these findings highlight the value of field-scale robotic canopy phenotyping for characterizing genotype-specific canopy architectural traits and their relationship with yield.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsフィールド規模のロボット型3D・マルチスペクトル計測プラットフォームを用いて、コムギ群落の建築形質を取得・評価することが研究の中心である。

abstracta semi-automated robotic phenotyping platform, PhenoLinc, was deployed to obtain canopy-level multispectral 3D data across 200 diverse wheat genotypes grown under field conditions over two years.

A dual-substrate X-ray CT platform for in situ high-resolution and high-throughput phenotyping of crop root systems ↗

A dual-substrate X-ray CT platform using high-contrast media and modular scanning overcomes traditional resolution and size limits to enable large-scale, high-resolution 3D in situ root phenotyping.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods作物根系のin situ表現型測定を目的とするX線CTプラットフォームの開発であり、取得・解析手法が研究の中心である。

abstractA dual-substrate X-ray CT platform using high-contrast media and modular scanning overcomes traditional resolution and size limits to enable large-scale, high-resolution 3D in situ root phenotyping.

Genetic markers of stomatal cluster development in Begoniaceae revealed through trait analysis assisted by interactive deep-learning. ↗

Stomata of plants track the immediate demand for carbon dioxide for photosynthesis while limiting transpirational water loss. Solitary stomatal patterns are common, yet some land plants develop noncontiguous stomatal clustering, where 2 or more stomata occur in groups and overlay a single air cavity. Clustering improves stomatal efficiency, reduces plant water use, and increases resilience to environment stress. How cluster development and physiology interact and integrate with the environment are open questions. Here we used TESSERA, a deep-learning platform for stomatal detection with an interactive interface for data review. Tracking Begonia stomatal clustering patterns across various Begonias, we have uncovered correlations for stomatal clustering traits. The stomatal parameter data were applied to identify genetic loci involved in Begonia stomatal development using quantitative trait locus analysis. Combined with differential gene expression to refine the candidate list, our analysis reveals known and potential new Begonia candidates in stomatal development. As a test of this knowledge, we cloned Begonia SPEECHLESS (BegSPCH), a loci identified in this screen and an established development-related gene in Arabidopsis. Unexpectedly, Arabidopsis spch-3 mutants transformed to express BegSPCH developed stomatal clusters unlike the mutant plants expressing AtSPCH. Thus, various molecular and environmental factors likely overlay transcriptional regulation in stomatal development.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsTESSERAによる気孔検出プラットフォームを用いて気孔クラスタリング形質を抽出し、複数のBegoniaで解析しているため、植物表現型取得・解析手法が研究の中心的要素です。

abstractHere we used TESSERA, a deep-learning platform for stomatal detection with an interactive interface for data review.

Quantification of plant structure–function relationships through micro‐ CT imaging‐based finite element modeling ↗

SUMMARY Plants display complex structural tissue arrangements and cell shapes that are intimately related to their functionality and whose precise geometry influences the metabolic and physical processes performed by different organs. Analyzing these structure–function relationships requires accurate information on the complex 3D anatomy and its changes over time at meaningful spatial resolution. A non‐invasive approach, micro‐CT imaging, can produce such 3D or 4D datasets and can be leveraged for finite element (FE) simulations of mechanical and physical processes. This combination of techniques has been employed to study biomechanical properties, gaseous diffusion, light propagation, hydraulics, and thermodynamic processes in plant organs. A deep understanding of structure–function relationships also paves the way to design bio‐inspired structures using plant anatomy as a reference. Here, we illustrate how the combination of micro‐CT‐based imaging and FE modeling can be leveraged in plant science for advanced investigation of structure–function relationships.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物器官の3D/4D構造をmicro-CTで取得し、有限要素モデルと組み合わせて構造・機能特性を解析する方法を中心に扱うレビューであり、植物フェノタイピング手法に該当する。

titleQuantification of plant structure–function relationships through micro‐ CT imaging‐based finite element modeling

Foliar Micromorphological Variability in Tea Landraces from Fuzhou: Insights from Scanning Electron Microscopy. ↗

Fuzhou represents a critical center for tea genetic diversity, yet the micromorphological basis for differentiating its local landraces remains poorly understood. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to investigate the foliar micromorphology of 28 tea landraces from Fuzhou and to characterize structural differences among them. Adaxial epidermal wax ornamentation, stomatal architecture, and nonglandular trichome patterns provided important taxonomic characters for germplasm classification. Our analysis reveals that stomata are consistently paracytic and randomly oriented on the abaxial surface. However, their dimensions exhibit high phenotypic plasticity, with mean areas ranging from 421.92 to 822.26 µm2. Leaf surface ornamentation showed high phenotypic variability, with three identifiable types: straight, wrinkled, and undulated. The length, width, and type of nonglandular trichomes varied among the landraces, with values of nonglandular trichome length ranging from 269.99 to 632.31 µm and diameter from 9.72 to 14.62 μm. The nonglandular trichome ornamentation was categorized as smooth, long-stripe, and short-stick. The study demonstrated that SEM-based analysis of foliar micromorphological traits provides a valuable tool for tea germplasm identification and cultivar improvement. Specifically, the combination of adaxial epidermal wax ornamentation and nonglandular trichome surface ornamentation provides stable and reliable diagnostic micromorphological markers for accurate differentiation and identification of Fuzhou tea landraces, filling a critical micromorphological gap in the systematic study of local tea germplasm.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsSEM画像に基づく葉の微細形態形質の取得・分類を中心に、茶遺伝資源の識別へ応用しており、単なる生物学的測定ではなく植物フェノタイピング手法として中心的です。

abstractScanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to investigate the foliar micromorphology of 28 tea landraces from Fuzhou and to characterize structural differences among them.

An Agentic AI Framework to Accelerate Scientific Discovery in Plant Phenotyping ↗

High-throughput plant phenotyping now generates image derived datasets far faster than scientists can analyze them. At Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Advanced Plant Phenotyping Laboratory (APPL), automated stations image hundreds of plants daily across multiple remote sensing modalities; yet, trait extraction and interpretation remain manual, expert-bound, and strictly post-hoc, making analysis, not acquisition, the binding constraint on discovery. We present an end-to-end agentic AI framework that turns the facility from a data factory into an interactive autonomous, discovery platform, where scientists partner with AI agents to accelerate time to insight. A conversational Co-Scientist Agent translates a scientist's natural-language question into a structured analysis plan, and a headless Compute Agent dispatches Vision Transformer segmentation and trait extraction on the Frontier exascale supercomputer. The two agents run in separate security and resource domains and communicate over a secure, token-authenticated streaming channel, a design that accounts for the federation, data-movement, and provenance realities cloud-native agentic frameworks ignore, ensuring end-to-end provenance is captured for every interaction. The framework turns a days- to weeks-long analysis process into an interactive loop where agents reason over results, recommend next analyses, and respond to follow-up questions in seconds.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物画像からの形質抽出を自動化するエージェント型AIフレームワークの開発であり、解析・抽出手法が研究の中心である。

abstractWe present an end-to-end agentic AI framework that turns the facility from a data factory into an interactive autonomous, discovery platform, where scientists partner with AI agents to accelerate time to insight.

SPATIAL MULTI-SCALE FRACTAL ANALYSIS OF TOMATO LEAF STRUCTURAL DEGRADATION UNDER DISEASE PROGRESSION ↗

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is an important horticultural crop worldwide, and its productivity is significantly limited by the widespread occurrence of foliar diseases that gradually modify leaf morphology and physiological function. Disease progression in the leaves entails intricate spatial transformations like lesion development, vein proliferation and disruption in venation, tissue necrosis, and disruption of normal laminar architecture. Often, these structural alterations may be challenging to express in a conventional visual or categorical scoring system, which is often subjective and lacks granularity. In the present study, a spatial multi-scale fractal analysis framework has been proposed to quantitatively capture structural degeneration in tomato leaves during disease progression. Leaf images from sources with known disease severity levels were analyzed through fractal geometry-based metrics, focusing on two key descriptors: fractal dimension (FD) and lacunarity.to express structural complexity and heterogeneity. Fractal dimension serves as a description of overall morphological complexity in this context, whereas lacunarity is widely used to quantify spatial irregularity and gap distributions within leaf tissues. Multi-scale analysis was employed to examine structural changes at different spatial resolutions. This helped us better understand both global shape changes and localized tissue damage. The findings demonstrate a steady reduction in fractal dimension as disease severity escalates, indicating a gradual deterioration of structural complexity. On the other hand, lacunarity values increase as the disease gets worse, which means that the leaf architecture becomes more varied and broken up. The results show that fractal-based spatial analysis is a strong, non-destructive, and objective way to measure how disease damages the structure of plant leaves. This technique holds considerable promise for utilization in automated plant disease diagnostic systems, precision agriculture, and digital plant phenotyping platforms.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods病害進行に伴う葉の構造劣化を、画像からフラクタル次元とラacunarityで定量化する解析手法が研究の中心であり、植物表現型の取得・抽出に該当する。

abstracta spatial multi-scale fractal analysis framework has been proposed to quantitatively capture structural degeneration in tomato leaves during disease progression.

A hyperbolic topological atlas reveals polyamine steering of a shared developmental manifold in Arabidopsis ↗

Abstract High-throughput plant phenotyping captures development at scale, yet image-rich screens are still often reduced to static trait summaries. We tested whether nutrient availability, polyamine priming, concentration, and their transport reshape Arabidopsis rosette development by generating distinct morphologies or by changing residence along a common trajectory. We analyzed 138,223 time-resolved rosette images from Col-0 and five mutants involved in polyamine transport ( put1-5 ) primed to putrescine, spermidine, spermine, dose, and nutrient regimes using a self-supervised vision backbone, Poincaré embedding, hyperbolic Mapper, and manifold straightening. The data form a single connected developmental manifold with 410 nodes and 746 edges, organized from an early, low-nutrient-biased hub through high-betweenness transition corridors to two late, nutrient-enriched terminal regions. Polyamine identity stratifies this manifold by developmental phase: putrescine enriches early states, spermidine occupies transition corridors, and spermine marks late compact rosettes. Nutrient richness and dose change distal occupancy, whereas put genotypes alter dwell time within shared regions rather than producing separate topologies. Manifold straightening resolves these effects into a short early lateral deflection followed by convergence, yielding two scalar readouts, early transverse offset and distal occupancy, that summarize treatment action on a common morphodynamic scale. The framework converts large image screens into interpretable developmental geometry for image-based phenomics.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods大規模なロゼット画像から発達形態を抽出し、自己教師あり視覚モデルとトポロジー解析で再利用可能な表現型指標を開発・適用しており、表現型取得・解析手法が研究の中心である。

abstractHigh-throughput plant phenotyping captures development at scale, yet image-rich screens are still often reduced to static trait summaries.

SeedMeasure: an efficient approach and open-source program to quantify seed size ↗

ABSTRACT Premise Seed size and morphology are critical traits in agriculture, ecology, and genetics, but high-throughput quantification of these traits is often limited by labor-intensive manual measurements or expensive, platform-specific imaging software. Methods and Results We developed SeedMeasure, a lightweight, open-source, and cross-platform command-line tool written in Python that automates the measurement of seed area, length, and width from images. Using a simple imaging setup, the program processes images by correcting for perspective skew, filtering debris, and exports quantitative data alongside quality-check images. We validated SeedMeasure across nine diverse species, ranging from small Arabidopsis thaliana seeds to large Zea mays kernels. The tool quickly handles images using multithreading and demonstrates high reproducibility, yielding low coefficients of variation across repeated runs. Conclusions Compared to existing software, SeedMeasure is free, offers faster processing through parallel computing, and provides standalone executables that require no programming dependencies. SeedMeasure offers an accessible, cost-effective, and high-throughput approach for rapid phenotypic profiling, making advanced seed morphological analysis available to researchers without specialized laboratory hardware.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods種子画像から面積・長さ・幅を自動抽出するソフトウェアを開発し、複数種で検証しており、植物表現型取得法が研究の中心である。

abstractWe validated SeedMeasure across nine diverse species

Genetic dissection of dynamic leaf area index variation in maize using UAV-based phenotyping and time-series genome-wide association studies ↗

Abstract The leaf area index (LAI) is a key determinant of canopy architecture and yield potential in maize, primarily through its influence on photosynthetic efficiency. Although unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology has greatly advanced field-based phenotyping, its potential for deciphering the genetic mechanisms underlying dynamic and complex trait development remains underexplored. In this study, multispectral UAV images were collected from a diverse maize panel across eight developmental stages in four environments over two consecutive years. Using multi-temporal data, a random forest model accurately predicted LAI (R² = 0.82–0.83), significantly outperforming models based on single time-point data. By integrating high-throughput phenotypic predictions with time-series genome-wide association studies (GWAS), 36 dynamic SNPs associated with LAI variation were identified. Principal component analysis (PCA) of temporal LAI data revealed two principal components that together explained 84.2–86.5% of the total phenotypic variance. GWAS based on these components identified an additional 51 SNPs, seven of which overlapped between the two analytical approaches. Among the 72 candidate genes identified, Zm00001d048615 exhibited significant variation in both phenotype and expression among different inbred lines. The heterologous overexpression of Zm00001d048615 in Arabidopsis induced leaf curling and a significant reduction in leaf size, indicating its potential role in regulating leaf development. Collectively, these findings establish a robust framework that integrates UAV-based phenomics with temporal GWAS to identify key genes regulating complex dynamic traits. This approach provides valuable insights and genetic targets for improving maize canopy architecture and yield potential through molecular breeding.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像と時系列データからLAIを推定するモデルを開発・評価し、高スループット表現型解析に中核的に用いているため。

abstractmultispectral UAV images were collected from a diverse maize panel across eight developmental stages in four environments over two consecutive years.

Three-Dimensional Crop Phenotyping for Crop Protection: Reconstruction Routes, Decision Pathways, and Digital-Twin Maturity ↗

Three-dimensional (3D) crop phenotyping is increasingly used to capture crop structure, but its value for crop protection is conditional rather than automatic. 3D approaches are operationally justified only when reconstructed geometry adds decision-relevant information beyond simpler 2D, spectral, scalar, or conventional baselines. This review examines 3D crop phenotyping through a reconstruction-trait-task-maturity framework for crop protection and synthesizes evidence across disease assessment, pest and stress interpretation, pesticide dose adjustment, spray deposition, weed-target perception, protection-oriented breeding, and digital-twin development. The literature is organized through four connected lenses: reconstruction routes that generate crop geometry, 3D traits that may alter protection reasoning, decision pathways that link traits to intervention variables, and maturity levels that distinguish static 3D models, validated phenotypic traits, process-coupled systems, protection outputs, and outcome-updated decision twins. The strongest decision-facing evidence currently comes from canopy-based dose adjustment, deposition prediction, drift reduction, and related spraying applications in which 3D traits are linked to intervention variables and field-facing comparators. Disease, stress, and architecture-aware modelling provide important but more heterogeneous evidence, while many point-cloud datasets, segmentation pipelines, neural reconstruction methods, and agricultural digital-twin frameworks remain upstream of practical crop-protection decisions because they do not yet connect 3D measurements to validated protection labels, comparator baselines, decision thresholds, intervention outputs, or outcome updating. A central conclusion is that high-fidelity 3D representation should not be conflated with decision-twin maturity. Protection-oriented digital twins require explicit coupling among synchronized crop geometry, functional or epidemiological models, decision rules, and recorded field outcomes. This review therefore identifies the evidence and reporting priorities needed to move 3D crop phenotyping toward validated, deployment-oriented, and feedback-aware crop-protection support.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3D作物フェノタイピングの再構成、形質抽出、検証、デジタルツイン成熟度を中心に扱うレビューであり、植物フェノタイピング手法が中核。

abstractThis review examines 3D crop phenotyping through a reconstruction-trait-task-maturity framework for crop protection and synthesizes evidence across disease assessment, pest and stress interpretation, pesticide dose adjustment, spray deposition, weed-target perception, protection-oriented breeding, and digital-twin development.

ClearDepthIAS enables automated high-throughput quantification of roots in soil-grown taproot crops. ↗

Understanding root system architecture (RSA) is critical for improving crop productivity and resilience, yet phenotyping root traits such as root growth angle and rooting depth remains technically challenging, especially at high throughput. Here, we present ClearDepthIAS, a high-throughput imaging and analysis platform that enables non-destructive, automated quantification of root architecture traits in taproot system crops. By capturing and stitching 360° images of roots growing along the transparent walls of pots and applying deep learning-based segmentation (ClearDepth-WRT), we measured wall root shallowness (WRS)-a proxy for root growth angle-with high precision. We demonstrated for the tap root systems of soybean and canola that the system accurately detects root tips, quantifies their vertical distribution, and extracts biologically meaningful traits such as root area, distribution indices, and growth angles. Validation experiments in canola and soybean demonstrated that WRS can correlate with root crown architecture in mature plants, both in greenhouse and field settings. Furthermore, WRS and root distribution indices derived from ClearDepthIAS are predictors of early root architecture and can be correlated with root biomass distribution across soil depths under field conditions; however, environmental interactions may influence these relationships and weaken or even negate such correlations, as observed when comparing field to field variation in root system architecture. Our system enables efficient phenotyping of genetically diverse populations, with medium to high trait heritability, supporting its utility for genome-wide association studies and breeding. ClearDepthIAS accelerates the development of root ideotypes for improved resource acquisition and carbon sequestration, offering a scalable tool for supporting climate-resilient agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物根系形態を自動取得・定量化する画像解析プラットフォームを開発し、精度と圃場での妥当性を検証しており、フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractwe present ClearDepthIAS, a high-throughput imaging and analysis platform that enables non-destructive, automated quantification of root architecture traits

DFA-YOLO: an enhanced YOLOv11-OBB and knowledge distillation-based maize stomata detection system. ↗

Introduction Stomata are vital gatekeepers of plants that regulate the fundamental trade-off between carbon gain and water loss. Precise, high-throughput identification of stomatal traits is therefore essential for assessing plant stress tolerance and water-use efficiency. However, conventional bounding box detection struggles to accurately localize densely distributed and arbitrarily oriented stomata. Methods This study proposes DFA-YOLO, an enhanced YOLOv11-OBB (Oriented Bounding Box) model for orientation-aware maize stomatal localization and preliminary OBB-derived trait extraction. Based on a maize stomatal dataset expanded from 1,053 to 3,597 microscopic images, DFA-YOLO integrates three task-specific components: (1) a cross-dataset MGD distillation strategy that transfers structural priors from single-stomata images to dense multi-stomata scenes; (2) a fixed-threshold Focaler-CIoU localization-loss reweighting strategy (u stomata = 0.95, d stomata = 0.00) to emphasize hard positive samples during OBB regression; and (3) a C3k2_AssemFormer feature-aggregation module that combines convolutional local feature extraction with linear attention-based context aggregation. Results DFA-YOLO achieved 94.1% mAP50, 84.8% mAP75, 74.1% mAP50-95, and 90.0% recall, with higher recall, mAP50, mAP75, and mAP50-95 than the YOLOv11-OBB baseline under the same OBB evaluation protocol. When deployed on an automated platform, the system processed images at 44.9 FPS and supported stomatal localization, density estimation, and preliminary orientation-aware size description. Discussion Under the tested maize microscopic imaging workflow, DFA-YOLO enables rapid extraction of detection-oriented stomatal traits and provides a prototype tool for high-throughput maize stomatal phenotyping.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsトウモロコシ気孔の画像検出・配向局在化と形質抽出を目的とするYOLOベース手法を開発し、データセット、精度比較、自動化プラットフォームでの性能を評価しているため、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractThis study proposes DFA-YOLO, an enhanced YOLOv11-OBB (Oriented Bounding Box) model for orientation-aware maize stomatal localization and preliminary OBB-derived trait extraction.

Integrating 3D phenotyping and functional-structural plant models for crop ideotype breeding. ↗

Crop ideotype breeding aims to design plant architectures that enhance yield and resource use efficiency. Accelerating this process demands a framework for assembling accurate three-dimensional (3D) architecture. This Perspective synthesizes advances in technologies and methodologies in 3D architectural phenotyping. Rapid progress has enabled translating these advances into tangible gains in breeding efficiency. To this end, we propose integrating functional-structural plant models as an overarching framework that optimizes plant architecture combinations, shifting breeding from experience-driven to predictive ideotype design. Convergence of 3D phenotyping, plant modeling and artificial intelligence holds transformative potential to accelerate breeding cycles, enhancing productivity, sustainability, and food security.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3D植物形態フェノタイピング技術・方法論を中心に統合し、機能構造モデルやAIとの連携を論じる方法論的Perspectiveである。

abstractThis Perspective synthesizes advances in technologies and methodologies in 3D architectural phenotyping.

UAV-Based Multi-Sensor Fusion for Leaf Age Detection in Maize Inbred Line Population Seedlings ↗

Accurate and rapid detection of maize seedling growth is critical in early breeding decisionmaking, smart management, and yield improvement. Traditional leaf age detection still relies heavily on labor-intensive and low-efficiency manual field surveys, underscoring the urgent need for high-throughput phenotyping. Integrating multisource sensor data from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with measured information such as crop height can further enhance the estimation accuracy of crop phenotypic parameters. Accurate field plot segmentation is critical for field-scale phenotypic analysis. However, current approaches remain largely dependent on slow, manual segmentation. Automating this step would greatly reduce the workload of agronomists. This study used UAV RGB and multispectral imagery collected over maize inbred line population plots before the canopy closure stage to perform automatic plot segmentation on field orthophotos and combined measured plant height with relative flight dates to achieve high-throughput detection of leaf age during the maize seedling stage. First, this study proposed a maize plot automatic segmentation method based on orthophotos. Then, it extracted texture features, RGB, and multispectral vegetation indices of each plot. Combined with relative flight date and plant height, four datasets were constructed. Support vector regression (SVR), random forest regression (RFR), and automatic machine learning (AutoML) regression algorithms were used to build the leaf age detection model. The results showed that the orthomosaic from March 23 achieved the best plot-segmentation performance, with minimum intersection over union (IoU), mean IoU, and IoU standard deviation of 14.67%, 96.47%, and 8.65%, respectively. Incorporating relative flight dates and plant-height measurements improved model performance, and the AutoML demonstrated the greatest robustness, achieving a validation R2 of up to 0.862 and an RMSE as low as 0.715. This study proposed a leaf age estimation method that offers practical technical support for field-based maize seedling assessment and reduces manual labor demands.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV RGB・マルチスペクトル画像、圃場区画 segmentation、特徴抽出、回帰モデルを統合し、トウモロコシの葉齢という植物形質を推定する方法を開発・評価しており、フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study used UAV RGB and multispectral imagery collected over maize inbred line population plots before the canopy closure stage to perform automatic plot segmentation on field orthophotos and combined measured plant height with relative flight dates to achieve high-throughput detection of leaf age during the maize seedling stage.

Forest biometrics in the 21 century special issue ↗

Abstract Forest biometrics has evolved from a measurement-driven discipline focused on field efficiency and statistical rigor to a data-rich, technology-enabled science integrating multisensor information and advanced modeling approaches. This special issue, inspired by the Second North American Forest Mensurationists Conference held in 2022, highlights this transformation through nine studies that collectively span scales from individual branches to regional forest dynamics. Together, they emphasize a shift from identifying single optimal models to developing integrated, uncertainty-aware model systems that support operational decision-making. At the finest scale, advances in terrestrial laser scanning enable improved characterization of branch geometry under challenging conditions, yielding robust taper and form factor estimates for volume. At the tree level, extensive benchmarking of height–diameter relationships demonstrates that model form and stand origin strongly influence predictive performance, with generalized additive models often outperforming traditional approaches. Complementary work shows that calibration strategies are not universally transferable across model forms, underscoring the need for careful alignment of function choice and calibration design. Addressing biases in young stands, Bayesian model averaging offers a practical interim solution where traditional volume models trained on mature cohorts fail. At broader scales, studies demonstrate the operational potential of integrating public and low-cost remote sensing data. Freely available USGS 3DEP LiDAR supports highly accurate dominant height and site index estimation, while bias-corrected digital aerial photogrammetry provides a viable alternative in areas lacking LiDAR coverage. Landscape-level analyses using Landsat time series and permanent plots enable mapping of basal area growth, revealing spatial variability and temporal trends driven largely by stand dynamics. Collectively, these studies define a cohesive framework for modern forest biometrics: combining multiple data sources, selecting model families deliberately, applying light but effective calibration, and explicitly quantifying uncertainty. This integrated approach supports scalable, reliable predictions tailored to the needs of forest managers and policymakers. The special issue thus outlines a forward-looking research agenda that prioritizes resilient modeling systems over isolated solutions, enabling forestry to meet contemporary challenges across scales from tree components to landscapes.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods森林の枝形状、樹高、林分指標などの植物形質を、レーザースキャン、航空写真、LiDAR、時系列衛星データ、統計モデルで推定・検証する方法群を中心に扱う特集概説であり、測定・推定手法が中心である。

abstractAt the finest scale, advances in terrestrial laser scanning enable improved characterization of branch geometry under challenging conditions, yielding robust taper and form factor estimates for volume.

An automated unmanned aerial vehicle framework for non-destructive soybean leaf morphology extraction using a structure-adaptive deep learning model ↗

Soybean leaf morphology is an important breeding trait that requires large-scale phenotyping in commercial breeding programs. Conventional leaf phenotyping still relies on manual destructive measurements, which are labor-intensive and inefficient. Low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have emerged as a high-throughput phenotyping platform, but the retrieval of leaf morphology in densely occluded canopies remains challenging due to complex canopy backgrounds, illumination heterogeneity, and leaf overlap under field conditions. To address this issue, this study developed an integrated UAV framework that couples a YOLOv10-based leaf detection module, a novel structure-adaptive segmentation network (DynamicU), and a regression-based trait prediction model for retrieving a set of leaf morphological parameters across 273 soybean genotypes under field conditions. The YOLOv10 detector reliably localized individual leaves under complex canopy conditions, achieving a mean average precision (mAP@50) of 0.84. Subsequently, the DynamicU network, whose architecture was automatically optimized via Emperor Penguin Optimization, achieved a segmentation accuracy of 97.2% and a mean Intersection over Union of 93.8%, substantially outperforming conventional models. Using random forest regression, the framework retrieved relative leaf shape traits, including length-to-width ratio and dissection index, with markedly higher accuracy (R 2 =0.97), compared to absolute morphological traits, including leaf length, width, perimeter, and area (R 2 : 0.76–0.84). Notably, relative leaf shape traits showed positive associations with oil yield per plant and protein yield per plant, supporting their potential as complementary indicators for screening soybean germplasm with differential industrial product output. This end-to-end framework establishes a reliable bridge between UAV remote sensing and leaf-level morphological quantification, advancing high-throughput phenotyping capabilities to support precision breeding in soybean.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像、葉検出・セグメンテーション・回帰モデルを統合し、圃場でダイズ葉形態を自動定量するフレームワークの開発と性能評価が研究の中心であるため。

abstractthis study developed an integrated UAV framework that couples a YOLOv10-based leaf detection module, a novel structure-adaptive segmentation network (DynamicU), and a regression-based trait prediction model for retrieving a set of leaf morphological parameters across 273 soybean genotypes under field conditions.

Volume Estimation of Agricultural Products Using 2D Images: From Laboratory to Orchard ↗

Accurate and non-destructive volume estimation of agricultural products is essential for precision agriculture, yet remains challenging when transitioning from controlled laboratory conditions to complex orchard environments. Although 2D image-based volume estimation methods provide a cost-effective and scalable solution, existing studies are fragmented and lack a unified perspective on their real-world applicability. This review presents a systematic synthesis of 2D image-based volume estimation methods, explicitly framed through the laboratory-to-orchard transition. We categorized existing volume estimation approaches according to the sensing modality into monocular RGB-based approaches and depth-assisted methods, and further reviewed them based on the image processing methods. A key finding is that high-precision geometric estimation can be achieved in laboratory environments, whereas deep learning and RGB-D fusion have driven a shift from conventional geometric modeling toward data-driven and hybrid learning frameworks in orchard settings. However, 2D image-based volume estimation remains fundamentally limited by scale ambiguity, severe occlusion, and sensitivity to illumination and background variability in real orchard environment. Overall, this review provides a unified perspective for understanding volume estimation methodology across environments and offers guidance for developing robust, scalable, and field-deployable volume estimation systems for real-world agricultural applications.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods農産物の2D画像から体積を推定する手法を体系的にレビューしており、植物器官・果実の形態形質取得方法が中心である。

abstractThis review presents a systematic synthesis of 2D image-based volume estimation methods, explicitly framed through the laboratory-to-orchard transition.

Species-Specific Stem Volume Models for Urban Broad-Leaved Trees in Beijing Using Handheld Photogrammetric Height Measurement and Destructive Validation ↗

Accurate stem-volume estimation is fundamental for urban tree inventory and management, but equations developed for forest-grown trees may not be directly suitable for open-grown urban trees with altered stem form and height–diameter relationships. This study developed species-specific, model-assisted stem-volume equations for four dominant urban broad-leaved species in Beijing, China: Quercus mongolica, Sophora japonica, Ginkgo biloba, and Populus davidiana. A total of 2679 standing trees from 535 plots were used for model development and evaluation. The diameter at breast height and ground diameter were field-measured, whereas tree height was obtained as a photogrammetry-derived non-destructive measurement using a handheld tree-measurement superstation. Bivariate DBH–height models, DBH-based linked models, and ground-diameter-based chained models were fitted using weighted nonlinear least squares. Model performance was assessed using validation statistics, 10-fold cross-validation, Monte Carlo uncertainty propagation, and an independent destructive reference dataset of 55 felled trees with section-measured stem volume. Across species, the bivariate models performed best, with mean percent standard errors of 8.68%–16.24%, compared with 9.76%–20.25% for DBH-based linked models and 15.13%–28.56% for ground-diameter-based models. Destructive reference validation showed acceptable agreement within the available validation dataset, with relative RMSE values of 2.30%–5.03% and relative bias values of 0.51%–2.51%. Monte Carlo simulation indicated species-specific propagation of photogrammetric height error, with the lowest average volume fluctuation in Ginkgo biloba. These results suggest that handheld photogrammetry combined with species-specific modelling provides a practical and uncertainty-aware basis for urban stem-volume estimation. This study directly estimates stem volume rather than biomass or carbon stock, and the equations may support future biomass- and carbon-related assessments when combined with appropriate conversion parameters.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods携帯型フォトグラメトリによる樹高取得と、幹体積推定モデルの開発・交差検証・伐倒木による独立検証が研究の中心であり、樹木の形態形質を定量化する実質的なフェノタイピング手法である。

abstractThis study developed species-specific, model-assisted stem-volume equations for four dominant urban broad-leaved species in Beijing, China

Morphometric Characterization of Hemp Achene and Leaf Trichomes Based on X-Ray Micro-CT. ↗

L.) is increasingly being recognized for the production of functional food ingredients and nutraceutical products with broad applications in human nutrition. Its nutrient-rich seeds are of particular interest for their nutritional profile. Moreover, its inflorescences and trichomes provide sources of nutrient-rich proteins, bioactive compounds, and functional substances for food formulations. Agronomic practices, environmental factors, and genotype considerably influence the hemp nutritional profile; thus, continued interdisciplinary research is needed to standardize quality across supply chains. X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) combined with 3D image analysis is an emerging non-destructive technique in high-resolution plant phenotyping. The aim of this work was to show the contribution of X-ray micro-CT to the quantitative characterization of the internal hemp seed structure and of the trichomes. The 3D image analysis approach used allowed us to determine many morphometric traits of the different seed parts and of the trichomes. Among them, volume ratios of the different seed parts and the density and morphological characteristics of the trichomes of two cultivars were accurately quantified. Overall, this work showed the contribution of X-ray micro-CT in 3D morphometric characterization of the hemp achene structure and trichomes. The obtained seed morphometric traits could be correlated in future applications with nutritional and/or physiological properties of different hemp varieties in order to support different aspects of the whole hemp supply chain such as the dehulling process, oil and protein recovery, seed quality evaluation, and genotype screening, to which trichome characterization could also contribute.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsX線マイクロCTと3D画像解析による種子内部構造・トライコームの形態形質の定量化が研究の中心であり、植物フェノタイピング手法の実質的な適用に該当する。

abstractX-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) combined with 3D image analysis is an emerging non-destructive technique in high-resolution plant phenotyping.

Machine learning-assisted non-destructive prediction of root architecture in early-stage tomato rootstocks. ↗

The architecture of the root system is a primary factor in determining rootstock performance, affecting water and nutrient uptake, biomass accumulation, and overall vigor. However, direct root phenotyping is destructive, labor-intensive, and difficult to do routinely in breeding programs. The present study investigated early root morphological variation among developed interspecific tomato rootstock candidates (Solanum lycopersicum x S. habrochaites). The ability of linear regression and machine learning models to predict root traits from easily measured plant growth parameters was assessed. Nineteen interspecific hybrid rootstock candidates, two commercial rootstocks, and one scion were grown under optimal greenhouse conditions and evaluated at 0, 10, 20, and 30 days after planting. Root length, root surface area, root diameter, and root volume were determined by digital image analysis. In contrast, genotype, plant length, and stem diameter were used as input variables. Significant genotype x sampling date effects were observed for most morphological and biomass traits, indicating dynamic changes in root and shoot development during the first 30 days of growth. The rootstock candidates RSH-17 and RSH-6 generally showed relatively higher root length, surface area, root volume, and biomass accumulation than the commercial rootstocks and scion. XGBoost and OLR were the best predictive models, with R 2 values as high as 0.95 for root length, surface area, and volume. Root diameter was predicted less accurately than root length, surface area, and volume, suggesting that it might be a more independent or less variable root trait during early development. Overall, results suggest that vigor-related traits can serve as useful proxies for estimating major root architectural traits in early-stage tomato rootstock selection. Both XGBoost and OLR performed well, suggesting that root and shoot development were highly coordinated under optimal (non-stress) conditions. Hence, predictive modeling may help prioritize promising rootstock candidates before destructive root analysis. However, more validation under stress conditions and for longer periods of development is needed to determine the greater applicability of these models.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods根系形態形質をデジタル画像解析で取得し、線形回帰・機械学習による非破壊予測モデルを評価・比較しており、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThe ability of linear regression and machine learning models to predict root traits from easily measured plant growth parameters was assessed.

Three-dimensional root architectural plasticity in rice: mechanistic responses to water deficit stress. ↗

Background Understanding root architectural plasticity under water deficit is essential for improving rice drought tolerance. However, whether drought-tolerant and drought-sensitive cultivars differ in qualitative spatial strategies or merely in the magnitude of plastic responses remains unresolved, and conventional destructive phenotyping cannot capture three-dimensional dynamics. Results We developed WSroots, an L-system-based three-dimensional model, and quantified root development in drought-tolerant HY73 and drought-sensitive Longliangyou Huazhan (LLYHZ) under polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG6000) osmotic stress at 0, 50, 125 and 200 g kg -1 for 28 days in hydroponic culture. HY73 maintained 25-30% of root length at 35-60 cm depth with only 25.2% total length reduction at 200 g kg -1 PEG6000, whereas LLYHZ concentrated 65-70% of roots in the 0-15 cm surface layer with 39.6% reduction. Root diameter declined less in HY73 (9.3%) than in LLYHZ (14.8%), indicating superior structural resilience. Calibration accuracy reached a coefficient of determination (R 2 ) of 0.986 (HY73) and 0.949 (LLYHZ). Conclusion The two cultivars employ qualitatively distinct strategies - deep exploration versus shallow expansion - rather than quantitative gradients of the same response. Deep-rooting maintenance is therefore a key target for drought-resilient rice breeding. WSroots provides a transferable framework for virtual phenotyping and irrigation design that can be extended to soil-based systems through water potential equivalence. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsWSrootsという3次元L-systemモデルを開発し、根系構造を定量化・校正しており、植物表現型取得と計算推定が研究の中心である。

abstractWe developed WSroots, an L-system-based three-dimensional model, and quantified root development

Interpretable machine learning and causal inference for maize LAI estimation from UAV multimodal imagery ↗

Accurate retrieval of leaf area index (LAI) is vital for crop monitoring and genetic breeding. Although multi-modal unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing has advanced LAI estimation, conventional empirical models often overfit on small breeding populations and cannot disentangle the true causal effects of genetic backgrounds from confounding factors within a statistically rigorous framework. This study presents a robust framework for plot-scale maize LAI estimation across 800 breeding plots from four genetic subgroups: doubled haploid (DH), mixed, temperate (TEM), and tropical/subtropical (TST). From UAV RGB and multispectral imagery acquired at three phenological stages, we extracted 76 multi-modal features comprising point-cloud structural metrics, spectral vegetation indices, and texture features. Following a dual-criterion mutual information and multicollinearity filter, four algorithms, including traditional tree-ensembles and the Tabular Prior-data Fitted Network (TabPFN), were evaluated using nested validation. TabPFN achieved superior generalization performance, yielding a mean test R2 of 0.778 ± 0.031, an RMSE of 0.264 ± 0.024, and an MAE of 0.203 ± 0.022, significantly outperforming tree-ensemble models (p < 0.01). Across growth stages, retrieval accuracy peaked at the expanded bell-mouth stage (R2 = 0.802) and successfully captured the unimodal trajectory of canopy development. SHAP-based attribution showed that spectral indices contributed most to the predictions (55.9%), followed by canopy texture (26.3%), with the spatial heterogeneity metric Tex_Entropy being the most influential single feature (22.8%). When embedded as the nuisance estimator within a Double Machine Learning framework for causal inference, TabPFN confirmed that, relative to the TEM subgroup, only the DH genetic background exerted a consistent and significant negative causal effect on LAI (ATE = −0.070, p = 0.030). These results establish TabPFN as a reliable and extensible tool for non-invasive, high-throughput phenotyping in precision breeding.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチモーダル画像からトウモロコシLAIを推定する計算・画像解析ワークフローを開発・比較検証し、高スループット表現型解析への応用を示しているため、方法が中心的である。

abstractThis study presents a robust framework for plot-scale maize LAI estimation across 800 breeding plots from four genetic subgroups

Integration of remote sensing and artificial intelligence for carbon quantification in macauba palm trees ↗

Accurate measurement of carbon is stored in plants is essential for evaluating strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The macauba palm (Acrocomia aculeata) is a native species of South America with high potential for oil production, ecological restoration, and carbon sequestration. Traditional methods to estimate carbon stocks, such as cutting down trees and performing laboratory analysis, are destructive, expensive, and impractical on a large scale. This study tested an alternative approach that combines UAV imagery, computer vision, and artificial intelligence to estimate carbon in macauba palms without damaging the plants. High-resolution aerial images were collected at four sites in Brazil, and a deep learning model (YOLOv8s-seg) was trained to automatically detect and measure palm crowns, achieving a mean Average Precision (mAP@50) of 0.956, precision of 0.946, and recall of 0.944. Plant height was estimated from canopy height models derived from photogrammetric processing of the UAV imagery. Crown diameter and height estimates showed strong correlations with field measurements (r = 0.81 and r = 0.82, respectively), with mean absolute errors of 0.26 m for diameter and 0.61 m for height. Both parameters were used in allometric equations to calculate carbon stock. Carbon estimates ranged from less than 1 ton per hectare in young plantations to more than 190 tonnes per hectare in older stands. These results demonstrate that artificial intelligence and UAV imagery provide a fast and scalable approach for estimating structural variables of macauba palms. However, carbon stock estimates remain sensitive to the allometric equations used and should be interpreted with caution, particularly at the individual level. Therefore, the proposed approach should be understood as a non-destructive monitoring framework rather than a fully generalized carbon prediction model, while still offering a valuable tool to support sustainable agriculture, carbon markets, and land-use policies.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像、コンピュータビジョン、深層学習を用いてヤシの樹冠径・樹高を自動推定し、現地測定と比較検証している。植物の構造形質取得と炭素量推定の技術が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study tested an alternative approach that combines UAV imagery, computer vision, and artificial intelligence to estimate carbon in macauba palms without damaging the plants.

Curvature-aware 3D length estimation of greenhouse cucumbers using RGB-D imaging and cubic spline arc-length integration ↗

Commercial greenhouse cucumber production is graded by fruit length, which drives harvest scheduling, labour allocation, and logistics. Manual measurement with thread or caliper is accurate but infeasible at commercial scale. This paper presents CucumberVision, a non-contact length estimation framework using an Intel RealSense D435 RGB-D camera. A YOLO26n instance segmentation model locates cucumbers, and SAM (ViT-B backbone) refines each detection to a pixel-precise mask. Five methods are evaluated under matched conditions: (M1) a dominant-axis skeleton scan-line baseline; (M2) PCA on the bounding-box depth point cloud; (M3) SAM mask with medial-axis skeletonisation; (M4) a hybrid keypoint-guided approach using a YOLO26-pose model predicting five anatomical landmarks (KP0--KP4) with piecewise 3D arc-length; and (M5) a novel medial arc spline method fitting a cubic spline through the 3D medial axis of the SAM mask and computing arc length by trapezoidal integration -- the first such application to elongated vegetable measurement. All methods share five-frame burst depth averaging, colour-stream intrinsic alignment, and adaptive method selection with cascading fallbacks ensuring 100% coverage. A benchmark of 48 captures across seven cucumbers in three size categories (small ~8 cm, medium ~13 cm, large ~25 cm) with thread-based ground truth establishes a significant accuracy hierarchy: M1 (MAPE 9.68%) > M2 (5.31%) > M4 (5.51%) > M3 (5.82%) > M5 (4.13%). M5 significantly outperforms all competitors at Bonferroni-corrected alpha=0.0125. A secondary contribution is identifying a 12--18% length underestimation caused by using depth-stream rather than colour-stream intrinsics after rs.align(rs.stream.color) -- an under-reported error source. The complete system is released open source and runs in real time on a single consumer-grade GPU.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsRGB-D画像からキュウリ果実長を推定する手法を開発し、複数手法との比較検証、実測値によるベンチマーク、誤差要因分析まで行っており、植物形質取得が研究の中心です。

abstractThis paper presents CucumberVision, a non-contact length estimation framework using an Intel RealSense D435 RGB-D camera.

Research on digital fruit tree reconstruction method based on neural radiance field theory ↗

The objective of this study is to propose a digital fruit tree reconstruction method based on neural radiation field theory that will enable the efficient, accurate, and non-destructive acquisition of phenotypic information from fruit trees, while simultaneously reducing the cost of collecting this data. Firstly, a low-cost information acquisition platform is constructed for the purpose of shooting a multi-view video around a fruit tree. The video is then extracted and framed using a motion recovery structural algorithm, thereby obtaining a multi-view image sequence of the fruit tree with positional data. Secondly, the the image sequence is employed to train the neural radiation field, thereby obtaining a converged three-dimensional scene of the fruit tree. Ultimately, the three-dimensional scene is derived in the form of a point cloud, thus yielding a high-phenotypic detail point cloud model of the fruit tree. A multi-period point cloud model of an apple tree in an orchard environment, encompassing the flowering, fruiting, and dormant periods, was reconstructed using the aforementioned method. The experimental results demonstrated that the error associated with the tree shape data recorded by the multi-period point cloud model established by the aforementioned method was, on average, below 5%. Furthermore, the average error across all periods was 2.69%, representing a 75.50% reduction compared to traditional reconstruction methods. The dimensional accuracy of the point cloud model at the organ scale can reach the millimetre level, with an average error of 3.10% for fruit diameter, which is 66.19% lower than that of the traditional reconstruction method. The reconstruction method is robust to all periods of fruit trees and can meet the majority of cases of digital fruit tree reconstruction.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods果樹の多視点画像からNeRFと点群を用いて樹形・器官寸法などの表現型を非破壊取得する手法を開発・検証しており、方法が研究の中心である。

abstractpropose a digital fruit tree reconstruction method based on neural radiation field theory that will enable the efficient, accurate, and non-destructive acquisition of phenotypic information from fruit trees

Canopy Structure and Water Use Efficiency Variations Between Short- and Long-Day Strawberry Cultivars Revealed by Non-Destructive 3D Phenotyping ↗

Cultivars of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) differ in photoperiodic responses, which influence the balance between vegetative and reproductive growth, shaping canopy development, biomass production, and water use efficiency (WUE). Using 3D point-cloud phenotyping, this study compared the canopy structure and WUE of the short-day cultivar ‘Sonata’ and long-day cultivar ‘Favori’ grown under identical greenhouse conditions. Cultivar-specific growth and water use traits were quantified using daily non-destructive 3D point cloud phenotyping combined with continuous whole-plant gravimetry, supported by manual and destructive measurements. Non-destructive estimates of plant height and digital biomass corresponded moderately to measurements (height: R2 = 0.628; biomass: R2 = 0.579; mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) = 13.86%). Growth analysis indicated similar relative growth rates between the two cultivars, whereas the crop growth rate was higher in ‘Sonata’ than in ‘Favori’. Integration of growth estimates with gravimetric records revealed higher period average WUE in ‘Sonata’ (3.1 mg g−1) than in ‘Favori’ (2.5 mg g−1). These results highlight the distinctive growth strategies of a canopy-driven pattern in ‘Sonata’ and a reproduction-driven pattern in ‘Favori’. The combined 3D phenotyping–gravimetry framework provides a high-resolution, non-destructive approach to quantify cultivar-specific growth and water use traits.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3D点群による非破壊フェノタイピングと連続重量計測を組み合わせ、植物形態・バイオマス・水利用形質を定量化し、測定精度も検証しているため、手法が研究の中心である。

abstractUsing 3D point-cloud phenotyping, this study compared the canopy structure and WUE

Editorial: Plant phenotyping for agriculture ↗

Modern agriculture operates at an unprecedented crossroads, it must simultaneously accelerate crop yields to feed an expanding global population and adapt to the severe, fluctuating pressures of climate change, structural soil degradation, abiotic water deficits, and evolving biological threats. Historically, selecting resilient crop varieties and implementing field-scale management strategies relied extensively on destructive, labor-intensive, and fundamentally subjective visual metrics. This manual processing approach has long been recognized as the primary operational bottleneck in agricultural advancement.To bridge the gap between rapidly expanding genomic data and actual field performance, the systematic, non-destructive quantification of structural and functional plant traits, plant phenotyping, has emerged as a transformative frontier. By integrating high-throughput engineering, multi-scale remote sensing, deep learning, and advanced molecular biology, modern phenotyping transitions crop science away from qualitative estimation toward highly reproducible, multidimensional data frameworks. This Research Topic presents new advances in advanced 3D reconstruction and deep semantic segmentation at the seedling stage; amodal fruit segmentation, morphological extraction, and early water-stress diagnostics; high-throughput in-field seedling counting and dynamic density modeling; multimodal foundation models, network pruning, and intelligent phytoprotection; aerial and spaceborne remote sensing for canopy analysis and weed monitoring; plant physiology, functional spectroscopy, and functional genomics under abiotic stress; and automated diagnostics for real-time orchard scouting and vineyard management.Automating the characterization of complex spatial layouts under controlled or greenhouse environments is essential for early variety selection and early-stage structural evaluation. Several contributions within this volume provide key breakthroughs in navigating overlapping tissues, severe occlusions, and low-contrast edge regions. showcases how substituting standard convolutions with deformable convolutions enables deep neural networks to accurately isolate the main stem of mature, high-density crops like soybeans. This architecture overcomes the traditional challenges of color mimicry and severe occlusion by pods and leaves, achieving an outstanding mIoU of 90.58% and providing reliable indices for lodging resistance and structural yield modeling (R 2 = 0.9746).Accurately extracting fruit morphology under commercial greenhouse conditions remains heavily constrained by overlapping crop structures, foliage cover, and variable shadows. Simple semantic masks typically fail when a target fruit is partially blocked, leading to a loss of key volumetric data.To resolve the challenge of hidden boundaries, Li, Yin, et al. (2025) developed CGA-ASNet, a specialized RGB-D amodal segmentation network driven by a Contextual and Global Attention (CGA) module designed to restore occluded tomato regions. Trained on a high-fidelity synthetic greenhouse dataset (Tomato-sim) generated via NVIDIA Isaac Sim's Replicator Composer and optimized with a mean coordinate fusion algorithm for real-world validation, this architecture expands the network's receptive field to predict the complete, hidden circular forms of occluded tomatoes, achieving an F@0.75 score of 94.2 and an amodal mIoU of 82.4%. This proves that simulation-to-real (Sim2Real) domain pathways can successfully decode full physical volumes under dense commercial canopies.Complementing this structural restoration, Yang, Li, et al. (2025) designed an integrated diagnostic framework to identify early water stress dynamics in greenhouse tomatoes. Built upon an optimized YOLOv11n core, their system integrates adaptive kernel convolutions (AKConv) into the network backbone's C3k2 modules and implements a recalibration feature pyramid detection head based on the specialized P2 small-target layer. This combination achieved a 5.4% increase in mAP50-95 for identifying fine phenotypic parts. By applying automated geometric analysis to the extracted bounding boxes, the system extracts plant heights and petiole count with low relative errors, feeding these phenotypic parameters into a Random Forest classification routine that flags water-stressed plants with 98% accuracy to guide targeted, automated drip irrigation.Accurate plant stands during early vegetative stages represent the foundational metric required to establish true field emergence rates, validate seed vigor across diverse breeding blocks, and perform early yield predictions.To solve the challenges of small targets, extreme spatial density, and adjacent leaf overlap, Zang et al. (2025) designed DM_IOC_fpn, a wheat seedling counting framework that balances local and global contextual features. By structuring a point-annotated dataset and embedding a densityenhanced encoder module, their network balances micro-scale spatial limits with macro-scale canopy structures. Optimized through a combined loss function tracking counting, classification, and regression parameters, this architecture achieved low error scores (RMSE = 2.91; MAE = 2.23), outperforming standard object-detection benchmarks in complex field environments.At the same time, scaling up to real-time aerial monitoring required major reductions in model complexity to support resource-constrained edge computers on autonomous aerial platforms. Feng, Nie, and Li (2025) engineered an ultra-lightweight YOLOv8n variant tailored for real-time maize seedling counting from high-speed UAV RGB overflights. By reparametrizing RepConv with HGNetV2, they constructed a lean Rep_HGNetV2 backbone, integrated a Bidirectional Feature Pyramid Network (BiFPN) for multi-scale feature alignment, and implemented a Task Dynamically Aligned Detection Head (TDADH). This architecture compressed total model parameters by 47% and reduced weight sizes to 3.5 MB while maintaining a 96.5% detection accuracy and an ultra-fast processing speed of 146.3 FPS, paving the way for low-cost, real-time field scouting.Automated phytoprotection requires machine-vision architectures capable of generalizing across highly diverse species, complex field conditions, and varying computational boundaries. A significant subset of the published papers addresses these challenges through foundation model adaptation, multi-modal alignment, and efficient network compression.A major paradigm shift presented in this collection involves moving away from task-specific training and toward foundation model adaptation. Chen, Ruan, et al. (2026) introduce a novel architecture integrating the DinoV3 foundation model with a Unet framework to achieve robust leaf lesion segmentation across diverse species (such as coffee and black gram). By incorporating a Spatial Prior Module (SPM), their approach surpassed standard benchmark networks by over 10.5% in IoU while reducing inference times by approximately 93.6%, demonstrating that highparameter foundation models can be highly optimized for resource-constrained edge devices in real-time scouting.To solve the perennial problem of limited training data for rare or emerging crop diseases, Cooper et al. ( 2026) developed an ingenious synthetic data generation pipeline. Combining 3D procedural leaf modeling in Blender with diffusion-based disease synthesis (Stable Diffusion fine-tuned with LoRA and ControlNet), they synthesized highly accurate plant disease images with perfect groundtruth annotation masks. When deployed in low-resource data settings, combining these synthetic pipelines with restricted real-world datasets consistently drives significant improvements in downstream segmentation tasks. To tackle specific, complex pathologies, Xu, Chang, et al. (2025) developed the TSSC deep learning model, which embeds three-neighbor channel attention paired with a complementary squeeze-and-excitation mechanism. This specific architecture minimizes structural degradation risks while pushing classification accuracy to 99.61% for highly complex pea leaf pathologies. Similarly, Feng, Liu, et al. (2025) tackled overlapping leaf occlusions and small lesion footprints in citrus groves with YOLO-Citrus, an optimized framework integrating C3K2-STA, ADown modules, and a Wise-Inner-MPDIoU loss function to strike a balance between edge computational constraints and field deployment.UAVs and high-resolution satellite imagery have expanded the operational scale of phenotyping from individual pots to vast breeding blocks and commercial fields, allowing researchers to capture macro-dynamic parameters over time.In complex canopy systems that defy standard top-down aerial sensing, such as single-staked white Guinea yams, Iseki et al. (2026) demonstrated the distinct advantage of utilizing multi-angle (combined nadir and oblique) UAV imaging configurations. When coupled with support vector regression, this method captures complementary canopy-structure information to model shoot biomass trajectories (R 2 = 0.79) across multiple years and management zones. These nondestructive, time-series datasets enabled the fitting of genotype-specific Richard's growth curves using Bayesian inference, isolating valuable genetic variations in early growth allocation.To capture full-season vertical physiological changes over large scales, Li, Yue, and Luo (2025) developed a hybrid CNN-LSTM-Attention (CLA) model designed to estimate the full-period Leaf Area Index (LAI) in rice using multi-temporal UAV multispectral imagery. By using the CNN layer to extract instantaneous spatial features, the LSTM block to process seasonal time-series intervals, and a self-attention mechanism to weight critical growth transitions, their platform achieved a high coefficient of determination (R 2 = 0.92) and kept relative root mean square errors (RRMSE) below 9%. This network minimized soil background noise during early vegetative stages (LAI values 1-

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物フェノタイピングの技術動向を扱うEditorialであり、画像解析、UAVセンシング、深層学習、形質抽出などの方法が中心的に整理されている。

titleEditorial: Plant phenotyping for agriculture

An in situ image-based phenotyping system for hydroponic maize seedling roots based on DB-UNet and customized skeleton-based analysis. ↗

monitoring capabilities, and existing models have limited accuracy in root segmentation. To address these issues, we developed a crop root phenotyping system integrating crop cultivation and data collection. We also proposed a DB-UNet model for hydroponic maize root segmentation. DB-UNet builds a CNN-ViT dual-branch parallel structure during encoder downsampling level. The lightweight ViT branch uses sequential downsampling to achieve global topological dependency modeling while reducing computational costs. An attention fusion module dynamically calibrate dual-branch features weights, achieving complementary fusion of local root edge details and global context information. we constructed a mixed loss function combining Dice loss, Focal loss, and structural consistency KL loss to solve class imbalance, hard sample segmentation, and semantic divergence of dual-branch features. On our custom hydroponic maize root dataset, DB-UNet achieved an mIoU of 91.02%, an FG IoU of 82.78%, and a Centerline-Dice of 97.72%.Compared to classic UNet, mIoU, FG IoU, and Centerline-Dice increased by 0.92%, 1.84%, and 1.99%, respectively. Plant-level five-fold cross-validation further showed that DB-UNet maintained stable segmentation performance across different plant-level partitions. Based on DB-UNet segmentation results, we propose a custom skeleton-based algorithm for multi-trait root phenotyping, enabling the extraction of total root length and root branch points. Root area is calculated from binary mask pixel statistics. Compared to the traditional Zhang-Suen algorithm, the average relative error of root length measurement is reduced to 3.14%, which is 8.42 percentage points lower than the traditional method. Furthermore, we analyzed relationships between segmentation accuracy metrics and phenotypic relative errors. Higher segmentation quality generally led to lower phenotypic relative errors and more reliable trait measurements. In particular, Centerline-Dice was closely associated with root length estimation, whereas pixel-level segmentation consistency was more closely related to root area measurement. Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses showed a strong positive correlation between maize plant height and total root length, with coefficients of 0.8466 and 0.8634, respectively.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods画像ベースの根セグメンテーションと骨格解析を開発・検証し、根長や分枝点などの形質を抽出するシステムが研究の中心であるため。

abstractwe developed a crop root phenotyping system integrating crop cultivation and data collection.

LSL-YOLO11n: a YOLO11n-based model for maize leaf disease detection in complex field environments ↗

Maize leaf diseases in field environments often exhibit large variations in lesion scale, irregular morphology, blurred boundaries, and complex backgrounds. These factors pose challenges for existing detection models, particularly in detecting small lesions and achieving precise bounding-box localization. To address these issues, this study proposes LSL-YOLO11n, a maize leaf disease detection model based on the YOLO11n framework. The proposed model improves feature representation, localization quality modeling, and bounding-box regression to enhance disease detection performance under complex field conditions. Experiments were conducted on a dataset containing 15,119 images and 29,366 annotated instances across eight categories, including seven maize disease categories and healthy leaves. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed model, ablation experiments, comparative experiments with mainstream object detection models, and visual detection analyses were carried out. The ablation results show that the improved components contribute positively to the overall detection performance. LSL-YOLO11n achieves a Precision of 84.4%, Recall of 73.9%, and mean Average Precision (mAP) of 83.3%, which is 3.1 percentage points higher than that of the baseline YOLO11n model. Compared with YOLOv8n, YOLOv9t, YOLOv10n, and YOLOv12n, the proposed model improves mAP by 4.7, 3.3, 5.3, and 10.9 percentage points, respectively. The visual detection results further indicate that LSL-YOLO11n performs more stably in complex backgrounds and small-lesion scenarios. These findings provide technical support for rapid maize disease recognition and intelligent field monitoring.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsトウモロコシ葉の病斑・病害状態を画像から検出するYOLOベース手法を開発し、アブレーション比較や既存モデルとの性能評価を行っており、植物病害表現型の取得法が中心である。

abstractTo evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed model, ablation experiments, comparative experiments with mainstream object detection models, and visual detection analyses were carried out.

RootNet: A deep learning framework for automated tomato radicle segmentation and length measurement ↗

Automated phenotyping of crops is a vital component of precision agriculture. As a representative economic crop, the radicle length of tomato seeds is a key phenotypic indicator for assessing seed vigor and seedling health. To reduce labor costs and improve measurement efficiency, we developed an integrated seed germination phenotype acquisition system that combines cultivation and imaging, enabling continuous image acquisition throughout the tomato seed germination process. To achieve automatic measurement of radicle length, we propose a deep learning-based segmentation framework, termed RootNet. The framework incorporates a custom-designed module, MambaNextBlock (MNB), within skip connections to enhance long-range feature modelling, and integrates an Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling (ASPP) module at the bottleneck to capture multi-scale contextual information. Post-segmentation, Canny edge detection is employed to extract radicle contours, from which actual lengths are computed based on contour arc length. Experimental results show that RootNet achieved 77.75% Intersection over Union (IOU), 86.03% Precision, 88.72% Recall, and 87.46% F1-Score on the root class. Compared with manual measurements conducted using ImageJ, our method showed high agreement across 1170 radicle measurements, with an R² of 0.9785, an MAE of 0.274 mm, an RMSE of 0.344 mm, and a Bias of −0.008 mm. Bland–Altman analysis further confirmed the absence of systematic bias, with 95% limits of agreement ranging from −0.682 mm to +0.666 mm. Meanwhile, measurement efficiency was improved by approximately 680-fold. Furthermore, the method was applied to evaluate the effects of drought, salinity stress, and different concentrations of Streptomyces albidoflavus (HL4) and Streptomyces virginiae (GZ2) on radicle growth. The results indicated that drought stress, salinity stress, and undiluted HL4 inhibited radicle elongation, whereas diluted HL4, as well as both undiluted and diluted GZ2, significantly promoted radicle growth. This study provides an efficient and cost-effective solution for non-destructive crop phenotyping and intelligent agricultural management in precision farming.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsトマト幼根長を画像から自動抽出・測定する深層学習フレームワークを開発し、手動測定との定量的検証も行っており、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractwe developed an integrated seed germination phenotype acquisition system that combines cultivation and imaging, enabling continuous image acquisition throughout the tomato seed germination process.

FloraForge: Procedural generation of editable and analysis-ready 3D plant geometric models using LLM-assisted template design ↗

Accurate 3D plant models are crucial for computational phenotyping and physics-based simulation; however, current approaches face significant limitations. Learning-based reconstruction methods require extensive species-specific training data and lack editability for hypothesis-driven research. Procedural modeling offers parametric control and large model variability but demands specialized expertise in geometric modeling and an in-depth understanding of complex procedural rules, making it inaccessible to domain scientists. We present FloraForge, an LLM-assisted framework that enables domain experts to generate biologically accurate, fully parametric 3D plant models through iterative natural language Plant Refinements (PR) during template creation, minimizing the need for programming expertise. Our co-design workflow leverages LLM-assisted code generation to progressively refine Python scripts that generate parameterized complex plant geometries as Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline (NURBS) surface representations, with botanical constraints. Plant organs are represented as spline surfaces that can be easily tessellated into polygonal meshes with arbitrary precision, ensuring compatibility with functional structural plant analysis workflows such as light simulation, computational fluid dynamics, and finite element analysis. We demonstrate the framework by generating procedural models of multiple maize genotypes, soybean (which shares the procedural generator with mung bean), and mung bean, with one plant tracked across different developmental stages. We fit procedural models to empirical LiDAR and NeRF-derived point cloud data through manual refinement of the Plant Descriptor (PD), a human-readable YAML file originally templated by the LLM, obtaining consistently low mean symmetric Chamfer distances that indicate close agreement between generated models and measured plant geometry. The pipeline generates dual outputs: triangular meshes (represented as STL or OBJ files) for visualization and triangular meshes with additional parametric metadata for quantitative analysis (stored as SMESH files). We further illustrate analysis-ready use by coupling the procedurally generated models to the HELIOS framework to simulate diurnal photosynthetically active radiation interception in virtual maize and mung bean fields across growth stages. Our framework uniquely combines pre-trained LLM-assisted template creation, mathematically continuous representations that support both phenotyping and rendering, and direct parametric control through the PD. The framework makes sophisticated geometric modeling accessible to plant science researchers while maintaining mathematical rigor through biologically interpretable parameterizations; additionally, the iterative PR dialogue produces an explicit record of model properties that is typically absent in conventional procedural modeling pipelines.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の3D形状を生成・編集し、LiDAR/NeRF点群との適合で検証する、計算機フェノタイピング向けの中心的手法開発である。

abstractWe present FloraForge, an LLM-assisted framework that enables domain experts to generate biologically accurate, fully parametric 3D plant models

Species responses to nutrient loading promote resistance but not temporal stability in floating macrophyte communities ↗

Determining the drivers of ecological stability amid accelerating global environmental change is a critical goal of contemporary ecology. Various candidate drivers have been suggested, with recent attention turning to response diversity—the variation among organism-environment responses. However, despite conceptual interest in response diversity as a driver of stability, there remain few field tests of this relationship. Using multi-species competitive communities of floating aquatic macrophytes as an experimental model for measuring temporal stability and response diversity to nutrient loading, we show that response diversity does not promote temporal stability of total macrophyte cover, but that communities with an uneven distribution of species responses were more resistant to an exogenous shock. To quantify macrophyte composition and growth dynamics from photographic time series of our experimental communities, we developed an open-source, scalable, machine learning workflow ( LeafMosaic ) capable of classifying four species from noisy field data including variable lighting, resolution, and plant morphology. We measured response diversity as the balance of positive and negative biomass growth responses to dissolved nitrate concentration, weighted by species’ relative contributions to biomass, and tested its effect on temporal stability and resistance to an unexpected pulse disturbance (a large typhoon that disrupted our outdoor mesocosms). Response imbalance predicted typhoon resistance, but species asynchrony and mean population stability best predicted community stability, with no direct or indirect effect of species responses. Overall, our results provide new experimental evidence for how the structure of species responses promotes stability, and we aim our LeafMosaic workflow to empower future field experiments using floating macrophytes to study response diversity and ecological stability.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods浮遊水生植物の写真時系列から種組成と成長動態を抽出する、オープンソースでスケーラブルな機械学習ワークフローを開発しており、植物表現型取得・解析法が中心的です。

abstractTo quantify macrophyte composition and growth dynamics from photographic time series of our experimental communities, we developed an open-source, scalable, machine learning workflow ( LeafMosaic ) capable of classifying four species from noisy field data including variable lighting, resolution, and plant morphology.

3D measurement of cell thickness and its dynamics in plants. ↗

Main conclusion A novel and efficient method was developed to accurately measure thickness in 3D of many cells from a confocal stack, as well as to track changes in cell thickness overtime. Plant cells and organs are three-dimensional objects with a certain thickness. Among basic geometric parameters (length, width, depth/thickness), cell thickness is less accurately and comprehensively measured, probably because it cannot be directly seen. The current methods of cell thickness quantification have some limitations, such as measuring only from a cross-section, not accounting for the directionality of biological thickness, or not offering a way to track changes in thickness of individual cells over time. This research is an attempt to bridge the gap, by making the quantification of thickness and tracking its changes in many cells easier and more accurate. We devised a novel method to efficiently measure average cell thickness in 3D from cells imaged with confocal microscopy, the most popular technique to image live samples over many days. The method, in combination with the popular software MorphoGraphX, also allows accurate and efficient tracking of changes in thickness between different time points. We tested the method on various organs of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana such as the shoot apical meristem, the hypocotyl, the cotyledon, and the sepal. We demonstrated that this new method can reliably measure the thickness of hundreds of cells at once in a short amount of time to reveal new biological insights. We believe this would be a useful tool for plant researchers to accurately characterize this hidden morphological dimension.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物細胞の3D厚みと経時変化を効率・高精度に測定する手法を開発し、複数器官で検証しているため、植物形態フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractA novel and efficient method was developed to accurately measure thickness in 3D of many cells from a confocal stack, as well as to track changes in cell thickness overtime.

Non-destructive and accurate phenotypic detection method for okra seedlings under salt stress based on dual-view feature fusion and lightweight PointNet+. ↗

Soil salinization has become a critical factor limiting global agricultural production. Characterizing the growth and developmental responses of okra to salt stress and developing efficient and accurate salt-stress phenotyping techniques can provide an important methodological reference for okra cultivation in saline lands and future multi-cultivar salt-stress phenotyping studies. Traditional manual measurement of plant phenotypic parameters suffers from low efficiency and insufficient detection accuracy, making it difficult to achieve rapid and non-destructive analysis of plant phenotypic traits under salt stress. Therefore, this study proposes a computational phenotyping parameter extraction method based on the CSP-MSG Net model. Using dual-view feature fusion, we constructed a dedicated dataset. On the basis of PointNet++-MSG, the original MLP layers were replaced with C2F modules, and the SGE attention mechanism was integrated to enhance morphological feature extraction, thereby constructing a lightweight CSP-MSG Net architecture adapted to okra seedling point clouds for semantic segmentation of okra point clouds combined with DBSCAN clustering to complete instance segmentation, phenotypic parameters including plant height, stem diameter and canopy width were further calculated. This scheme enables high-throughput data acquisition, improves measurement accuracy, effectively reduces model parameters and computational overhead, and realizes lightweight operational performance. The results show that okra seedlings can still grow with increasing salt stress concentration, while the growth rates of the three measured traits are all inhibited, indicating that high-concentration salt stress impairs the growth activity of okra seedlings. To verify the calculation accuracy of the model, the phenotypic parameters predicted by the model were compared with manually measured values. The coefficients of determination for stem diameter, canopy width and plant height of okra seedlings reached 0.96, 0.99 and 0.99, respectively. These results strongly demonstrate the excellent reliability and effectiveness of the proposed method, providing methodological support for non-destructive and accurate phenotypic detection of okra seedlings under salt stress.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsオクラ幼苗の点群から草丈・茎径・樹冠幅を抽出する計算フェノタイピング手法を開発し、手動測定との比較で精度検証しているため、方法が研究の中心である。

abstractthis study proposes a computational phenotyping parameter extraction method based on the CSP-MSG Net model.

Automatic measurement of rice tiller angle from unmanned aerial vehicle images ↗

Abstract Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) tiller angle is an important trait that influences plant architecture, canopy light interception, and yield potential. In this study, we proposed a deep learning‐based pipeline for automated measurement of rice tiller angle and plant base width using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery. Our method leverages keypoint detection models to estimate tiller angles efficiently and accurately. We collected and annotated a dataset of UAV‐captured rice plant images for tiller angle estimation. We demonstrated that our approach provides scalable and precise measurement for keypoints under real‐world field conditions, achieving a mean average precision (mAP)@50 of 0.982 and a mAP@50:95 of 0.859 on the test set. Predicted tiller angle distribution aligns well with human annotations, with a mean absolute error of 5.3° across a range of 10.7°–27.8° and a Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.64, offering acceptable accuracy for tiller angle measurement in real‐world agricultural settings. Additionally, the predicted plant base width ranges from 2.8 to 5.5 cm, with a mean absolute error of 1.02 cm compared to human annotations, highlighting the model's capability for precise spatial analysis. Significant differences in tiller angle and plant base width were detected among 27 rice genotypes. These results validate the proposed pipeline's potential for accurate and efficient differentiation of plant architecture traits. This research is the first to measure the rice tiller angle directly from UAV images. It lays a foundation for automated phenotyping of plant architecture traits and has the potential for integration into plant phenotyping frameworks to further promote artificial intelligence‐driven rice research and production.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像と深層学習により、イネの分げつ角度・株元幅という植物形態形質を自動推定する手法を開発・検証しており、フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractwe proposed a deep learning‐based pipeline for automated measurement of rice tiller angle and plant base width using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery.

Integration of UAV photography, field data and machine learning algorithms for stem volume estimation ↗

In this study, the diameter and height of Pinus brutia Ten. trees were measured using orthomosaic data obtained from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery, and the stem volumes were estimated using machine learning (ML) techniques. The research was conducted in southwestern Türkiye within the brutian pine stands managed by the Isparta Regional Directorate of Forestry. A total of 175 trees were measured for height and diameter at breast height (d1.3), and these measurements used to estimate volume. The accuracy of these estimations predictions was examined, with volume estimation values serving as dependent variables in various ML algorithms. The performance of nine ML algorithms - AdaBoost Regression, Artificial Neural Network, Deep Neural Network, Decision Tree Regression, Gradient Boosting Regression, Linear Regression, Random Forest Regression, Support Vector Regression, and eXtreme Gradient Boosting Regression - were compared. The results indicated that using only the diameter values (max. correlation 0.984) produced better results than using only the height values (max. correlation 0.932), while combining diameter and height variables (max. correlation 0.987) produced the most accurate results. Among the all algorithms, Random Forest Regression achieved the highest average correlation (0.968), whereas Decision Tree Regression had the lowest (0.906). All algorithms produced correlations exceeding 0.90. These findings demonstrate that ML models can effectively estimate stem volume from UAV-derived diameter and height data under field conditions similar to those in southwestern Türkiye. The integration of remote sensing and ML may therefore offer a viable approach for stem volume estimation in structurally comparable forest environments.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像から樹木の直径・樹高を取得し、機械学習で幹材積を推定する手法を比較評価しており、植物形質の取得・推定が研究の中心である。

abstractthe diameter and height of Pinus brutia Ten. trees were measured using orthomosaic data obtained from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery, and the stem volumes were estimated using machine learning (ML) techniques.

DDCANet for SiO 2 -mediated drought regulation research: high-precision segmentation and phenotypic detection of cucumber point clouds. ↗

Cucumber is a core cultivated facility vegetable in China. Drought stress at the seedling stage severely inhibits its growth and development. The regulatory mechanism and optimal application concentration of SiO 2 nanoparticles in alleviating drought stress in cucumber seedlings remain unclear. Moreover, traditional manual measurement and classic point cloud segmentation models struggle to achieve high-throughput accurate detection of cucumber seedling phenotypes under drought stress. To address these issues, this study focused on phenotypic detection under drought stress and analysis of the regulatory effects of SiO 2 nanoparticles. An improved compact and low-redundancy segmentation model, DDCANet, was proposed based on PointNet++-SSG. Combined with 3D point cloud technology and the Euclidean clustering algorithm, it enables automatic extraction of phenotypic parameters from cucumber seedlings treated with SiO 2 nanoparticles under drought stress. In this study, Trailing cucumber seedlings were used as experimental materials. 3D point cloud data of cucumber seedlings were collected under treatments with different concentrations of SiO 2 nanoparticles and PEG-simulated drought stress. A dataset containing 70 valid samples was constructed and labeled into two categories: Stem and Leaf. The core optimizations of the DDCANet model are as follows: Firstly, an Adaptive Density-Aware Feature Enhancement (ADFE) module is embedded to accurately capture point cloud density heterogeneity induced by SiO 2 ;Secondly, a Channel Attention and Normalization-enhanced SA Layer (CANL) is designed to strengthen the coupling of local and global drought-related phenotypic features. Thirdly, a Drought-Aware Hybrid Loss (DHL) function is constructed to alleviate the class imbalance of seedling stem and leaf point clouds under drought stress. Results show that the DDCANet model achieves a mean Intersection over Union (mIoU) of 89.01 ± 0.32% and a Stem IoU of 83.6 ± 0.45%, representing improvements of 6.55% and 9.6% respectively compared with the baseline PointNet++-SSG model, and a 30.5% improvement in stem segmentation accuracy compared with the classic PointNet model. It thus enables high-throughput, non-destructive detection of drought phenotypes in cucumber seedlings under SiO 2 nanoparticle treatment. Ablation experiments verified the positive contributions of the ADFE, CANL, and DHL modules. Furthermore, instance segmentation and phenotype extraction were completed using the Euclidean clustering algorithm to analyze the drought-alleviating effects of SiO 2 nanoparticles under PEG-simulated drought stress. Results indicate that a low concentration of 20 mg/L exhibits a weak alleviating effect, medium concentrations of 40-60 mg/L show bidirectional regulatory characteristics, and a high concentration of 100 mg/L causes negative physiological effects. The optimal application concentration is 80 mg/L, which comprehensively improves key phenotypes such as seedling height and volume under drought stress and exerts a positive regulatory effect on seedling growth under drought conditions. The DDCANet model constructed in this study provides an efficient technical tool for the accurate phenotypic detection of crop seedlings treated with SiO 2 nanoparticles under drought stress. It clarifies the optimal application concentration of SiO 2 nanoparticles, offers a precise concentration threshold and theoretical support for the scientific application of SiO 2 nanoparticles in drought-stressed cultivation of protected cucumber, and establishes a novel methodological reference for the research on phenotypic regulation of crops under drought stress via nano-agricultural technology.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3D点群分割モデルを開発・検証し、キュウリ幼苗の茎葉分離と形質抽出を自動化することが研究の中心であるため、植物フェノタイピング手法論文として採用。

abstracttraditional manual measurement and classic point cloud segmentation models struggle to achieve high-throughput accurate detection of cucumber seedling phenotypes under drought stress.

LiDAR and UAV Photogrammetry for Three-Dimensional Canopy Reconstruction: A Comparative Study for Precision Agriculture Under Mediterranean Conditions ↗

This study evaluates the performance of LiDAR sensing and UAV photogrammetry for three-dimensional canopy reconstruction and structural parameter estimation in precision agriculture under Mediterranean conditions. Experiments were conducted in Sicily, Italy, on Moringa oleifera Lam. and Ficus macrophylla subsp. columnaris, representing contrasting canopy architectures. LiDAR and UAV photogrammetric data were used to generate canopy models and estimate canopy height, canopy volume, and vegetation density distribution. A voxel-based approach was applied to LiDAR-derived point clouds to quantify internal canopy structure and vegetation density within the canopy volume. Accuracy was assessed by comparing remote sensing-derived canopy metrics with ground-truth field measurements. LiDAR outperformed UAV photogrammetry in canopy height estimation, achieving lower RMSE values than UAV-derived models (0.19–0.21 m vs. 0.52–0.60 m), corresponding to an approximate error reduction of 60–65%. LiDAR also provided more accurate canopy volume estimation, with lower relative errors than UAV photogrammetry (3.5–4.2% vs. 13.7–16.1%). The voxel-based LiDAR approach enabled the quantification of vegetation density distribution within the canopy volume, showing higher sensitivity to internal canopy layers compared with UAV photogrammetry, particularly in the structurally complex Ficus macrophylla canopy. UAV photogrammetry provided reliable estimates of the external canopy surface but underestimated structural parameters in dense vegetation due to canopy occlusion and limited penetration into inner canopy layers. Differences between the two methods were more pronounced in Ficus macrophylla than in Moringa oleifera, confirming the strong influence of canopy complexity on sensing performance. These findings demonstrate that LiDAR-derived structural and voxel-based metrics can improve canopy characterization and support precision agriculture applications such as biomass estimation, irrigation planning, yield prediction, and canopy management in Mediterranean cropping systems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsLiDARとUAVフォトグラメトリによる植物キャノピーの3次元再構築・構造形質推定を比較検証し、地上計測との精度評価まで行っており、フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study evaluates the performance of LiDAR sensing and UAV photogrammetry for three-dimensional canopy reconstruction and structural parameter estimation

External-field optimality of logarithmic coeffcients with applications to geometric image analysis ↗

This paper develops an external-field optimization framework for logarithmic coefficients of multiplier-defined univalent functions and establishes optimality principles with applications to geometric image analysis. Using the Herglotz representation, logarithmic coefficients are expressed as nonlinear moment functionals of probability measures on the unit circle, where multiplier coefficients act as an external field imposing admissibility constraints. A general Euler&ndash;Lagrange condition is derived, yielding a nonlinear equilibrium equation that characterizes extremal solutions. When the external-field potential admits a unique maximizer, the extremal measure collapses to a one-point distribution, leading to explicit optimal special-function solutions. The theoretical framework is applied to a dataset of citrus lesion images. After segmentation and conformal normalization of lesion regions, approximate logarithmic coefficients are computed from boundary harmonic expansions. A distortion index and harmonic separation criterion are introduced, and a coefficient separation theorem is verified numerically, demonstrating that geometric differences in lesion morphology correspond to measurable differences in logarithmic coefficient distributions. The results provide a mathematically rigorous connection between nonlinear external-field optimization, conformal special-function representations, and shape-based image descriptors. This approach offers a theoretically grounded and conformally invariant methodology for analyzing geometric irregularity in biomedical and agricultural imaging.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods柑橘病斑画像を分割・正規化し、病斑形態を定量化する新しい画像記述子と判定基準を導入・検証しており、植物の病害状態の表現型抽出が中心である。

abstractThe theoretical framework is applied to a dataset of citrus lesion images. After segmentation and conformal normalization of lesion regions, approximate logarithmic coefficients are computed from boundary harmonic expansions.

Drought adaptation in spring wheat seedlings relies on coordinated deep root architecture and cortical tissue allocation. ↗

Introduction: Root anatomical traits and spatial architecture play a critical role in crop water acquisition and utilization, directly impacting drought tolerance. However, comprehensive studies examining the synergistic effects of deep root configuration and cortical tissue organization under drought stress during the seedling stage remain scarce. Additionally, the underlying physiological mechanisms are not yet well understood. Methods: In this study, we utilized a high-throughput, paper-based phenotyping platform to simulate drought stress using 10% PEG. An efficient, multi-trait evaluation framework was employed to classify the 28 tested genotypes into five drought tolerance categories. Results: This approach enabled the identification of drought-tolerant cultivars "Ruichun 1," "Ningchun 11," and "Ningchun 57," as well as the drought-sensitive cultivar "Dingxi 48." Root traits, including maximum depth, convex hull area, and plant height, demonstrated strong explanatory power and could serve as valuable phenotypic indicators for seedling stage screening. Our findings suggest that drought adaptation in spring wheat involves a strategic coupling in which specific cortical configurations facilitate the development of deep root architecture. While previous studies have often focused on individual parameters, we show that drought-tolerant genotypes optimize root growth in deeper segments of the growth medium by adjusting cortical tissue proportions, potentially minimizing metabolic costs. Discussion: This integrated perspective offers a detailed physiological framework for understanding drought resilience and moves toward a mechanism-based interpretation of resource reallocation. However, it is important to note that these results were obtained using a paper-based phenotyping platform under PEG-induced osmotic stress, reflecting the genotypic potential at the seedling stage rather than actual field drought tolerance. In conclusion, combining the paper-based high-throughput phenotyping platform with a multi-trait evaluation framework allows for the accurate classification of drought tolerance types and the efficient identification of representative spring wheat cultivars. The findings emphasize the importance of deep root configuration and optimized cortical allocation as fundamental components of the root structural basis for drought adaptation in spring wheat. These results provide clear phenotypic targets for early-stage screening, which should be further validated at later developmental stages and under field conditions before being applied in breeding programs.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods紙ベースのハイスループット表現型解析プラットフォームと多形質評価フレームワークが、根形態を用いた耐乾性分類の中心的手法として明示されているため。

abstractwe utilized a high-throughput, paper-based phenotyping platform

Repeatability and Heritability of UAV-Derived Canopy Traits in a Cassava Breeding Population Using Time-Series Data from Two Consecutive Growing Seasons ↗

Cassava is a major staple crop in tropical regions, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, yet its productivity remains constrained by genetic and agronomic limitations. A major bottleneck in cassava breeding is the difficulty of accurately phenotyping agronomic traits under field conditions using conventional, labor-intensive methods. Here, we evaluated the potential of uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV)-based phenotyping to quantify canopy growth traits and assess their genetic relevance under realistic field conditions. For this, multi-temporal UAV imagery was collected over two growing seasons (2018-2019 and 2019-2020) in a panel of 46 cassava genotypes planted in fields of the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nigeria. Canopy height, canopy volume, and their relative growth rates (RGRh and RGRv) were extracted at the plot-level, and their seasonal dynamics and canopy-yield relationships were further assessed across developmental stages and environmental conditions. Repeatability (R) and broad-sense heritability (H2) were estimated using a linear mixed model (LMM) that partitioned genetic, genotype-by-year, and residual variance components, enabling the evaluation of both measurement reliability and genetic signal. Overall, UAV-derived growth dynamics were found to exhibit comparable patterns across genotypes, reflecting shared seasonal growth trajectories, while canopy-yield relationships varied with developmental stage and environmental conditions. In terms of genetic metrics, R was high for all UAV-derived traits (R = 0.68-0.69), indicating reliable genotype-level assessment across replicates and seasons. In contrast, H2 differed substantially among traits. Canopy volume (H2 = 0.64) and canopy height (H2 = 0.58) exhibited moderate-to-high heritability, reflecting strong genotype effects and comparatively moderate genotype-by-year interactions. However, their relative growth rates showed near-zero H2 values, driven primarily by genotype-by-year interaction, indicating a dominant environmental influence. These results demonstrate that UAV-derived canopy height and volume provide a consistent basis for genetic differentiation of cassava genotypes across environments, supporting their use in selection, whereas growth-rate traits are better suited for characterizing growth plasticity and genotype-by-environment interactions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像からキャッサバの樹冠高さ・体積・相対成長率を抽出し、再現性と遺伝率を検証することが研究の中心であり、実質的な植物フェノタイピング手法の評価に該当する。

abstractwe evaluated the potential of uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV)-based phenotyping to quantify canopy growth traits and assess their genetic relevance under realistic field conditions.

The Sykes tree: Changes in the architecture of Fouquieria columnaris after six decades on the coast of Sonora, Mexico ↗

Estimating the age and growth of long-lived desert succulents is challenging due to the absence of annual growth rings. This study utilizes Single-Image Photogrammetry (SIP) and a historical photograph taken by G. Sykes in 1965 and two replicated photographs obtained in 2016 and 2025 to analyze architectural changes over six decades in an iconic “Boojum tree” ( Fouquieria columnaris ) and an adjacent columnar cactus ( Pachycereus pringlei ) from a relictual population in Sonora, Mexico. Results indicate that F. columnaris exhibited a slow mean vertical growth rate of 1.71 cm yr −1 during the 1965-2016 interval which increased to 3 cm yr −1 for the recent 2016-2025 period. This acceleration aligned with values recorded at more favorable sites (i.e. 3.3 to 3.6 cm yr −1 ). Conversely, P. pringlei exhibited a minimal growth rate (1.01 cm yr −1 ), which is much lower than rates reported from repeat photography (5-10 cm yr −1 ) or radiocarbon dating of spines (3-23 cm yr −1 ). Together, these species demonstrate high ecological resilience near their physiological limits in the Sonoran Desert through divergent morphofunctional pathways. F. columnaris favors architectural stability and sustained growth, whereas P. pringlei relies on mechanical robustness and structural redundancy. These findings highlight the efficacy of SIP and historical records for long-term demographic monitoring in extreme arid environments.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods単一画像フォトグラメトリを用いて植物の建築構造変化と成長速度を定量化することが研究の中心であり、植物表現型の実質的な測定法適用に該当する。

abstractThis study utilizes Single-Image Photogrammetry (SIP) and a historical photograph taken by G. Sykes in 1965 and two replicated photographs obtained in 2016 and 2025 to analyze architectural changes over six decades

Quantitative Live Cell Imaging of Nuclear Shape and Chromatin Dynamics During Development and Environmental Stress in Arabidopsis thaliana Root. ↗

The nucleus is the characteristic organelle of eukaryotic organisms. Unlike the classic textbook view of static nuclei, nuclear shape is dynamic in live cells. Altered or deformed nuclear shape is a hallmark of cancer in animal cells and environmental stress in plants. Nuclear envelope proteins interact with chromatin to regulate gene expression. Unfortunately, little is known about the impact of abiotic stress on nuclear shape, movement, and chromatin dynamics. To confront this issue, we developed a pipeline using confocal microscopy and particle tracking software to quantify nuclear and chromatin dynamics in Arabidopsis roots under control and abiotic stress condition. This confocal imaging method utilizes a dual fluorescently tagged marker line - nuclear envelope protein and chromatin - to perform live cell imaging of the root in model plant Arabidopsis thaliana under control and salt-stressed conditions. These captured movies are analyzed to quantify nuclear and chromatin dynamics using open-source image processing software Fiji/ImageJ with the help of the TrackMate plugin. To validate this method, we imaged and quantified chromatin movement in control and salt-stressed roots, revealing a decrease in chromatin speed under salt-stressed conditions. This method allows for quantitative live cell imaging of root nuclear shape and chromatin dynamics during plant development and environmental stress, thus enabling analysis of changes in nuclear and chromatin dynamics caused by abiotic stressors.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsシロイヌナズナ根の核形状・クロマチン動態を定量する共焦点ライブイメージングと画像解析パイプラインを開発し、塩ストレス条件で検証しており、植物表現型取得が中心です。

abstractwe developed a pipeline using confocal microscopy and particle tracking software to quantify nuclear and chromatin dynamics in Arabidopsis roots under control and abiotic stress condition.

One-year-old wood morphology and colorimetric indicators of cold hardiness in 'Frontenac' and 'Prairie Star' grapevines. ↗

Cold hardiness is a critical trait for grapevine survival and productivity in cold climates. This study examined the relationships among cane morphological characteristics, shoot color parameters, and cold hardiness in two grapevine cultivars ('Prairie Star' and 'Frontenac') across four dormant-season sampling times (ST 1-ST 4) and three internode diameter classes (small, normal, and large). Morphological traits, including internode length, shoot diameter, and cross-sectional area, did not show a consistent temporal trend across sampling periods, suggesting that the observed variation was primarily associated with sampling time and cane class rather than progressive structural change during dormancy. In contrast, colorimetric traits showed a clear seasonal pattern, with shoots becoming darker and redder from ST 1 to ST 4, consistent with advancing lignification and cane maturation. Cold hardiness, assessed using low-temperature exotherms of bud, phloem, and xylem tissues, increased substantially from early to mid-dormancy, with xylem tissues reaching the greatest freezing tolerance by ST 3-ST 4. 'Prairie Star' showed slightly greater xylem cold hardiness than 'Frontenac', while bud survival remained consistently high across all treatments. Strong associations between shoot color and LTE values indicate that color traits, particularly at the fifth internode, may serve as reliable non-destructive indicators of cold hardiness status. Sampling time was the primary source of multivariate variation, with cultivar and internode class contributing secondary effects. These findings demonstrate that observable cane traits, especially shoot color, reflect the progression of seasonal cold acclimation and may support the evaluation and selection of cold-hardy grapevine germplasm.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods枝の色・形態を用いてブドウの耐寒性を非破壊推定する指標として評価しており、単なる生物学的測定ではなく表現型取得法の妥当性評価が中心です。

abstractStrong associations between shoot color and LTE values indicate that color traits, particularly at the fifth internode, may serve as reliable non-destructive indicators of cold hardiness status.

Uncertainty-Aware 3D Plant Reconstruction from Sparse Video Frames Using Neural Radiance Fields ↗

Abstract Automated three-dimensional reconstruction of plant architecture under- pins high-throughput crop phenotyping, yet its deployment in practical field settings is constrained by two fundamental limitations of Neural Radiance Fields (NeRF): degraded geometry under sparse, unstructured image capture, and a complete absence of calibrated uncertainty estimates that would allow practitioners to distinguish reliable geometry from reconstruction artefacts. We present UA-PlantNeRF, a unified framework that resolves both limita- tions through three tightly coupled contributions. First, building on VISAR, our prior intelligent video frame-selection strategy (weights α1 = 0.4, α2 = 0.3, α3 = 0.3), the pipeline identifies maximally informative, non-redundant view- points from raw footage with as few as 15 frames. Second, a dual-head NeRF architecture augmented with Monte Carlo Dropout produces jointly decom- posed aleatoric and epistemic uncertainty alongside each reconstructed voxel, trained under a heteroscedastic negative log-likelihood objective. Third, split conformal prediction—with calibration performed on held-out plants to preserve exchangeability— yields provable, distribution-free per-ray cov- erage guarantees at any user-specified confidence level. Evaluated across three benchmarks (Pheno4D, ROSE-X, and our novel UA-Field greenhouse dataset) at sparsity levels N ∈ {15, 30, 50}, UA-PlantNeRF achieves PSNR 28.7±0.6 dB and SSIM 0.89±0.01 at N = 30, outperforming all sparse-view baselines (p

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の3D構造・アーキテクチャを推定する画像ベースのNeRF手法を開発し、複数ベンチマークで評価しているため、植物表現型計測法が中心です。

abstractEvaluated across three benchmarks (Pheno4D, ROSE-X, and our novel UA-Field greenhouse dataset)

3D Quantitative Modeling for Stone Fruit Quality Assessment by LF-NMRI ↗

The core volume ratio (CVR) is a key indicator for evaluating the proportion of edible fraction in stone fruits. Traditionally, CVR is determined through destructive sampling by separately measuring the masses of the core and entire fruit. Recently, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (LF-NMRI) has been introduced as a non-destructive alternative, but its sparse sampling limits the ability to achieve accurate spatial and volumetric quantification of fruit quality. To address this limitation, we propose a novel method for high-precision three-dimensional (3D) modeling of stone fruits. The method acquires tomographic LF-NMRI sequences along three orthogonal axes. Each sequence is segmented into pulp and core regions using a SwinUNet deep learning model and converted into point clouds for each view. Point clouds from the three orthogonal views are registered via a genetic algorithm to align structural information from complementary perspectives and fused into a unified 3D model through Poisson surface reconstruction. Using prunes as a representative case, the method enables accurate quantification of core and entire fruit volumes, achieving a CVR estimation with a mean absolute error of 0.13% compared to manual measurements. The proposed three-view reconstruction strategy yields a volumetric error of only 0.73%, significantly outperforming single-view (4.57%) and dual-view (3.73%) approaches. This technology provides a robust and accurate non-destructive solution for 3D internal quality analysis of fruits.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsLF-NMRI、深層学習セグメンテーション、3D再構成を組み合わせ、果実内部の芯・可食部体積という植物器官形質を非破壊推定する手法を開発・検証しており、フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractwe propose a novel method for high-precision three-dimensional (3D) modeling of stone fruits.

Evaluation of Global and High-Resolution Canopy Height Models for Forest Monitoring and Disturbance Detection: From GEDI Footprint to Deep Learning High-Resolution Mapping ↗

Accurate mapping of forest canopy height is fundamental to modern forestry, providing essential structural data for biomass estimation and monitoring forest health. This study evaluates the broad usability of global (25 m) and high-resolution (1 m) Canopy Height Models (CHMs) by comparing them against temporally aligned Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) reference layers from 2018 and 2024. At the 25 m scale, we evaluated four global products: Global Forest Canopy Height (GFCH), Global Map of Tree Canopy Height (GMTCH), High-Resolution Canopy Height model of Earth (HRCH), and Europe Temporal Canopy Height (EUCH). These satellite-derived models exhibit significant height-dependent limitations, systematically underestimating mature forest canopies (>30 m) by more than 15 m due to signal saturation, though EUCH and GMTCH performed moderately better. Transitioning to 1 m high-resolution data revealed a dramatic recovery in structural fidelity. A photogrammetrically derived model (PALS) achieved an RMSE of 4.89 m and a Mean Error (ME) of 1.86 m, demonstrating remarkable vertical stability across complex topography, even on slopes >25°. While coniferous stands produced higher absolute errors (RMSE = 6.75 m) than deciduous stands (RMSE = 6.19 m) due to spire-like architectures, PALS effectively captured fine-scale canopy textures. Experimental deep learning architectures, specifically the ArcGIS Living Atlas model, showed promise with an RMSE of 8.90 m, though out-of-the-box implementations struggle without local calibration. For forest disturbance monitoring, a distinct performance trade-off emerged. High-resolution photogrammetry (PALS) provided the highest overall precision for identifying clear-cuts (F1 = 0.353) but was conservative, capturing only 51% of the reference area. In contrast, the global HRCH model captured the total spatial footprint (103.9% of area) despite its geometric inaccuracies. The Living Atlas deep learning model offered the most balanced sensitivity, detecting 118.6% of the area with a competitive F1 score of 0.326. Ultimately, digital aerial photogrammetry provides a cost-effective solution for frequent operational updates, such as the two-year national mapping cycle in the Czech Republic.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods森林キャノピー高という植物構造形質を対象に、複数の衛星・航空・深層学習モデルをALS基準と比較評価しており、測定手法の技術的検証が中心である。

abstractThis study evaluates the broad usability of global (25 m) and high-resolution (1 m) Canopy Height Models (CHMs) by comparing them against temporally aligned Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) reference layers from 2018 and 2024.

Defining critical drivers of cross-pollination for better hybrid grain set in wheat ↗

Hybrid wheat breeding offers a promising route to enhance grain yield and yield stability through heterosis, yet hybrid grain production remains constrained by limited cross-pollination efficiency due to high rates of autogamy. To achieve cross-pollination in an autogamous species like wheat, pollen must shed outside the floret. This is typically assessed by scoring visual anther extrusion (VAEX), a key floral trait that sets the foundation for cross-pollination. However, VAEX explains only part of the variation in hybrid grain set. To address this, we analyzed floral structures and reproductive processes underlying cross-pollination efficiency in wheat. From 24 elite winter wheat genotypes, we developed traits describing anther extrusion kinetics, pollen release, and floral bract architecture. These traits showed substantial genotypic variation and high heritability. While VAEX alone explained approximately 49% of the variation in hybrid grain set, combined trait analyses explained up to 77%, demonstrating that hybrid grain production is governed by coordinated floral and reproductive trait interactions. Together, our analyses define a hierarchical trait architecture linking floral bract mechanics, anther extrusion dynamics, and pollen shedding to cross-fertilization success. This establishes a systems-level phenotyping framework for improving male parent selection in hybrid wheat breeding. Highlight High cross-pollination efficiency in wheat is a multi-factorial process that requires lighter floral bract architecture combined with adequate anther extrusion and pollen release for improving hybrid grain production.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods交雑受粉効率を評価するための葯突出動態、花粉放出、苞葉構造の形質を開発し、統合的なフェノタイピング枠組みとして解析しており、表現型取得・評価法が研究の中心である。

abstractFrom 24 elite winter wheat genotypes, we developed traits describing anther extrusion kinetics, pollen release, and floral bract architecture.

AN EFFICIENT CROP IMAGE CLASSIFICATION PROCESS USING ENSEMBLE CONVOLUTION FEATURES-INTEGRATED MULTI-SCALE AND DILATED ADAPTIVE DEEP NETWORK FOR HIGH YIELD PRODUCTION ↗

The agricultural sector is the most important asset in the country, which boosts development by reducing unemployment, food shortages, poverty, and unstable economic conditions. The recognition and classification of agricultural imagery are the fundamental requisites of contemporary farming methodologies. Thus, it helps to accurately identify the enumeration of plant growth, plant diseases and so on, leading to an increase in crop yield production. There are numerous methods for classifying crop images; however, the conventional methods struggle with issues like noise, distortion, and image quality. It is not capable of fully exploiting the rich potential of image characteristics due to the weather conditions and shooting angles. It does not have the ability to significantly extract the relevant information in the training process and enhance the negative classified outcomes. Multiple learning-based methods have been created to gain more accurate and trustworthy information from image classification. In order to overcome these challenges, a novel crop image classification model is implemented in this research work for classifying the crop images to improve yield production. The required high-quality crop images are collected from the standard datasets. These images are further fed into the feature extraction phase, the Visual Geometry Group 16 (VGG16), graph convolutional neural network (GCNN), and residual network (ResNet) models are utilized to extract the relevant primary information in the collected crop images for generating ensemble convolution features. Subsequently, the resultant features are fed into the classification process, where the multi-scale and dilated adaptive recurrent neural network (MDARNN) mechanism is utilized to effectively classify the crops. In this process, a random function improved dark forest algorithm (RFIDFA) is employed for tuning the RNN parameters, thus improving the classification process. Finally, the validation of the designed approach is performed using several performance measures and compared with the previous works to ensure the designed model’s superior performance. The designed method achieves the best outcome of 95.19% precision, 95.14% NPV, and 95.15% accuracy measures. The developed crop image classification method can continuously monitor the crop growth information to improve yield production. Also, it helps to optimally detect the disease and pest-affected crops in an earlier stage to reduce crop losses, allowing for proper treatment and preventing widespread infection. It is possible to determine the water needs of various crops to ensure efficient crop production and precise farming practices.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物画像から生育状態や病害状態を分類する画像解析手法の開発・検証が中心であり、植物の状態を直接推定するため採用。

abstracta novel crop image classification model is implemented in this research work for classifying the crop images

BN-NeRF: A fast 3D reconstruction and phenotyping framework for banana plants using handheld devices ↗

High-fidelity 3D reconstruction and precise phenotypic parameter extraction of banana plants are critical for crop growth monitoring and yield estimation in precision agriculture. However, traditional methods encounter significant bottlenecks: LiDAR systems are cost-prohibitive for widespread adoption, while traditional photogrammetry often fails to handle the complex canopy structures, severe occlusions, and weak texture features characteristic of banana leaves. To address these limitations, this article proposes a novel framework for 3D reconstruction and automatic phenotyping based on multi-view images captured by mobile phones. We introduce BN-NeRF, an enhanced Neural Radiance Field method built upon Instant-NGP. Specifically, we integrate three key technical improvements: (1) frame-level geometric calibration to correct camera pose drift caused by handheld motion; (2) sparse geometric anchoring to explicitly constrain depth and scale using sparse point clouds; and (3) thin-leaf prior regularization to suppress artifacts and improve the geometric accuracy of leaf surfaces. Building on this reconstruction, we establish a complete pipeline to recover explicit metric geometry from implicit radiance fields. By combining mesh topological analysis with geodesic algorithms, we achieve automated and precise extraction of key morphological parameters. Extensive experiments were conducted on a dataset of 90 banana plants in a real-world orchard. The results demonstrate that BN-NeRF achieves superior rendering quality (PSNR of 32.4 dB, SSIM of 0.951, and LPIPS of 0.152) while maintaining inference speeds comparable to Instant-NGP. Furthermore, the extracted phenotypic parameters showed strong agreement with manual ground truth across both leaf-level and structural traits. In addition to trait-specific regression performance, the evaluation also includes normalized completeness analysis, calibration-cube-based scale validation, and Bland-Altman agreement analysis, supporting the measurement reliability of BN-NeRF for field phenotyping. This study demonstrates that low-cost smartphone-based acquisition, combined with BN-NeRF, can support accurate field phenotyping of banana plants. In addition, an implemented mobile-cloud system was functionally validated through repeated end-to-end runs on an iPhone 13 client and a cloud workstation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsスマートフォン画像からの3D再構成と植物形態形質抽出を中核とするBN-NeRF手法を開発し、圃場データで精度・再現性を検証しているため。

abstractthis article proposes a novel framework for 3D reconstruction and automatic phenotyping based on multi-view images captured by mobile phones

Active and passive 3D sensing for forest stem geometry: Comparing MLS, consumer LiDAR, SfM and Gaussian Splatting ↗

Accurate characterization of tree stem geometry is essential for forest inventories, yet conventional field measurements of diameter at breast height (DBH) are limited to a single cross-section and do not capture vertical variability along the trunk. This study compares five approaches for stem characterization in a Mediterranean forest: mobile laser scanning (MLS), consumer-grade iPad-LiDAR, Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry, Gaussian Splatting (GS), and manual field measurements. Data were acquired simultaneously within a 2.5 m radial plot. DBH was estimated through RANSAC-based circular fitting, and stem sections were extracted every 20 cm to assess diameter stability along the trunk. All techniques produced similar mean DBH values closely matching field measurements (23 cm), with MLS achieving the lowest RMSE (1.29 cm), followed by SfM (1.52 cm), GS (1.60 cm), and iPad-LiDAR (2.26 cm). However, marked differences were observed in vertical completeness. MLS captured the full vertical profile of the stems, reaching 14.11 m, whereas SfM and GS from iPhone, and iPad-LiDAR were limited to approximately 6 m or less. The results indicate that although low-cost image-based approaches can provide accurate DBH estimates under controlled conditions, MLS remains the most robust solution for comprehensive vertical stem characterization.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods森林樹幹のDBHと垂直方向の形状を、複数の3Dセンシング手法で推定・比較し、RMSEや垂直完全性を評価している。植物形状計測法の技術比較・検証が中心である。

abstractThis study compares five approaches for stem characterization in a Mediterranean forest: mobile laser scanning (MLS), consumer-grade iPad-LiDAR, Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry, Gaussian Splatting (GS), and manual field measurements.

Skeleton-guided 3D digitization standardizes complex trait phenotyping and supports reproducible locus discovery in cucumber. ↗

Accurate and standardized phenotyping of complex, environmentally sensitive quantitative traits remains a major bottleneck for reliable locus discovery and breeding applications. Here, we established a skeleton-guided 3D digital phenotyping framework that generates standardized digital replicas and enables precise quantification of fruit and plant architecture traits in cucumber. The workflow was applied to a permanent recombinant inbred line (RIL) population (n = 211) evaluated across two seasons (2023-2024), from which nine traits were extracted from 3D models. All 211 RILs were whole-genome resequenced to generate genome-wide SNPs, enabling construction of a high-density linkage map and subsequent QTL mapping, complemented by GWAS for physical anchoring of association signals. Using this integrated design, we identified 29 QTLs across the nine traits and resolved cross-season major-effect loci with consistent genetic signals. Notably, two cross-season loci were detected as novel: FL4.1/FSL4.1 affecting fruit length and fruit stalk length, and NLB1.1/LLB1.1 affecting branching. GWAS further anchored lead variants to physical coordinates and supported cross-season associations. Together, these results demonstrate that standardized 3D phenotyping provides a reproducible and interoperable trait definition framework that supports cross-season locus discovery and downstream marker development for quantitative genetic dissection in cucumber.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsキュウリの果実・植物体形態を3Dモデルから定量化する標準化フェノタイピング手法の構築と応用が研究の中心であり、再現可能な形質抽出枠組みとして評価されている。

abstractwe established a skeleton-guided 3D digital phenotyping framework that generates standardized digital replicas and enables precise quantification of fruit and plant architecture traits in cucumber.

Wheat Size and Plant Distance Measurement Using LiDAR and Convex Hull Method ↗

Interest in light detection and ranging (LiDAR) for the precise monitoring of vegetative growth of grain crops has increased. The study was conducted to estimate wheat size and plant distance using LiDAR and the convex hull method (CHM) compared to the voxel grid method (VGM). A commercial LiDAR system was used for data collection in the middle and late growth stages using static and dynamic scanning. A small number (ten) of data frames, consisting of a region of interest (ROI) of 1 m × 0.9 m for each frame, were selected as data samples. The data processing workflow consisted of data conversion, targeted data frame selection, visualization, region of interest (ROI) segmentation, outlier and untargeted point removal, downsampling, denoising, voxelization, preparation of the convex hull, and 3D PCD density map. To estimate the plant size and distance of wheat, the results obtained using CHM and VGM were compared with measured data results, and both methods were applied for the middle and late growth stages of wheat. The relative accuracy of LiDAR-estimated plant height, canopy volume, plant spacing, and row distances with respect to the measured results were 94%, 87%, 94%, and 87%, respectively, using CHM, and 76%, 72%, 62%, and 71% by VGM for static data scanning; for dynamic scanning, the estimated relative accuracy percentages were 87%, 91%, 94%, and 93%, respectively, using CHM, and 77%, 74%, 75%, and 74%, respectively, using VGM. The same methods were applied to the late growth stage data sets. Between the two methods, CHM provided higher accuracy for static and dynamic data-scanning approaches in the middle and late growth stages because the complex geometry of plants, thin and sparse leaf area, and structure complicated voxelization. Despite several challenges in PCD collection and processing, this study supports size and distance estimation for wheat and similar grains as non-destructive methods.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsLiDARと3D点群処理によりコムギの草丈、キャノピー体積、株間・畝間距離を推定し、凸包法とボクセル法を実測値と比較検証している。表現型取得・抽出手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThe study was conducted to estimate wheat size and plant distance using LiDAR and the convex hull method (CHM) compared to the voxel grid method (VGM).

AgriGaussian: A low-cost 3D reconstruction method for high-fidelity plant architecture analysis ↗

High-quality, real-time three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and phenotyping of field crops are essential for advancing digital farm management. However, challenges such as diverse crop postures and fluctuating illumination in open-field environments significantly hinder reconstruction accuracy. To address these issues, this study proposes AgriGaussian, a novel 3D phenotyping method based on 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS), designed to enable low-cost, high-fidelity reconstruction and phenotypic analysis of agricultural fields, with chili pepper plants as an example. Specifically, a dataset encompassing three distinct growth stages of chili pepper plants was collected and preprocessed using a phenotyping robot (PR) equipped with oblique-view imaging. The AgriGaussian method integrates three core components: (1) a Depth-Supervised Strategy (DSS) for adaptively enhancing phenotypic features based on gradient variations; (2) a Crop Appearance Extraction (CAE) module that suppresses the effects of illumination and environmental interference while preserving fine phenotypic details; and (3) a Multi-scale Chunking Training (MCT) strategy that enables scalable reconstruction of large agricultural scenes. Experimental results demonstrate that AgriGaussian achieves high-fidelity reconstruction, with peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) of 26.85 dB, structural similarity index (SSIM) of 0.86, and learned perceptual image patch similarity (LPIPS) of 0.24—surpassing existing baseline algorithms. Compared to manual measurements, the reconstructed canopy height and volume exhibit strong agreement, with coefficients of determination (R2) reaching 0.90 and 0.86, respectively, and average absolute percentage errors as low as 5.1%. Furthermore, the method accurately reconstructs fine-grained features such as foliar lesions and surface textures. In summary, AgriGaussian enables large-scale, high-fidelity reconstruction of field crop phenotypes and provides a promising foundation for advancing 3D phenotyping and digital twin technologies in precision agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の3D形態・構造を抽出する低コスト画像ベース表現型解析法を開発し、手動測定との一致性も検証しているため、表現型取得法が研究の中心である。

abstractthis study proposes AgriGaussian, a novel 3D phenotyping method based on 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS)

Application of deep learning in crop research: From genomics to phenomics ↗

Abstract Deep learning, as a pivotal branch of machine learning, has demonstrated remarkable potential in advancing crop science by effectively integrating genomics and phenomics. This review systematically outlines the application of diverse deep learning architectures—such as convolutional neural networks, recurrent neural networks, and transformers—across key crop genomic tasks, including gene expression prediction, alternative splicing analysis, cis ‐regulatory element identification, epigenomic profiling, and genome‐based trait prediction. In phenomics, these models facilitate high‐throughput extraction of crop phenotypic traits from multispectral, unmanned aerial vehicle, and ground‐based imagery, supporting yield forecasting, disease diagnosis, and stress response monitoring. We critically evaluate the performance and limitations of each model type across tasks, considering trade‐offs between complexity, accuracy, and interpretability, to offer practical guidance for crop researchers. Additionally, the review addresses major challenges in deploying deep learning—such as data scarcity, model transparency, and computational demands—and proposes future pathways to enhance model generalizability, multimodal data integration, and applications in intelligent breeding and sustainable agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods作物フェノミクスにおける深層学習による画像からの形質抽出を中心的にレビューしており、フェノタイピング手法の方法論的整理に該当する。

abstractIn phenomics, these models facilitate high‐throughput extraction of crop phenotypic traits from multispectral, unmanned aerial vehicle, and ground‐based imagery

Three-dimensional photogrammetric analysis of shoot growth dynamics and spatial competition in in vitro–grown kiwifruit explants ↗

Because conventional vegetative propagation methods for Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa (A.Chev.) C.F.Liang & A.R.Ferguson) often are constrained by their need for extensive plantation areas, high labour inputs, and intensive weed management. Therefore, in vitro micropropagation has emerged as an effective approach for the large-scale production of uniform, disease-free kiwifruit plant material. In the present study the shoot growth dynamics and spatial competition between explants for kiwifruit (cv. Hayward) in vitro-grown were investigated considering different explant densities (3, 5, and 7) and two subculture durations (30 and 45 days). Growth performance was assessed integrating traditional measurements (shoot viability, number and length, callus formation, fresh and dry biomass) with high-resolution three-dimensional photogrammetric reconstruction. Image acquisition was performed using a smartphone-based system (iPhone+viDoc RTK rover), and dense point clouds were generated through the Structure from Motion photogrammetric processing, providing the basis for quantitative geometric analysis. Consistent correlations were observed between manually measured growth traits and smartphone-derived morphometric parameters at both 30 and 45 days of subculture. Specifically, point cloud–based estimates of surface area, height, and volume were significantly associated with shoot number, shoot length, and biomass accumulation, supporting the reliability of 3D photogrammetry as a non-destructive tool for phenotyping in vitro kiwifruit growth. The proposed approach demonstrates the potential of 3D photogrammetry to enhance the objectivity, resolution, and repeatability of growth assessment in in vitro culture systems, offering new insights into shoot development and density-dependent interactions. Graphical Abstract

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsスマートフォン撮影とSfMによる3Dフォトグラメトリで、キウイフルーツ苗条の表面積・高さ・体積を非破壊推定し、手動測定およびバイオマスとの相関で信頼性を検証しており、表現型取得手法が中心である。

abstractdense point clouds were generated through the Structure from Motion photogrammetric processing, providing the basis for quantitative geometric analysis.

Hyperspectral imaging meets 3D Gaussian Splatting: A novel approach beyond 3D plant morphology ↗

Accurate acquisition of plant phenotypes is crucial for elucidating plant growth and development, underlying genetic mechanisms, and responses to environmental stimuli. Traditional three-dimensional (3D) phenotyping mainly captures geometric traits such as height, leaf area, and canopy volume, while overlooking physiological and biochemical information. Here, we present a hyperspectral point clouds generation method based on PlantGaussian (a 3D Gaussian Splatting technique) that integrates structural and spectral information, extending 3D phenotyping beyond geometry to include physiology. High-quality plant point clouds were first reconstructed using PlantGaussian, and hyperspectral images(HSI) were mapped onto them to produce hyperspectral point clouds. In potted soybean experiments, we built predictive models linking hyperspectral reflectance to SPAD (chlorophyll content) and EWT (equivalent water thickness), and visualized their 3D distributions. The hyperspectral point clouds achieved strong predictive performance for SPAD ( R 2 = 0.78, RMSE = 2.05) and EWT ( R 2 = 0.80, RMSE = 1.07), thereby validating the approach. It further revealed clear vertical stratification within the canopy, highlighting significant spatial heterogeneity of SPAD and EWT in individual plants. Temporal monitoring from August 6 to 21, 2025, captured a sharp increase in EWT after heavy rainfall on August 11. Overall, our results demonstrate that hyperspectral point clouds enable accurate, non-destructive trait estimation and provide a powerful tool for exploring plant function, monitoring stress responses, and advancing precision agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の3D形態とハイパースペクトル情報を統合してSPAD・EWTを推定する手法を開発し、予測性能を検証しているため、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractHere, we present a hyperspectral point clouds generation method based on PlantGaussian (a 3D Gaussian Splatting technique) that integrates structural and spectral information, extending 3D phenotyping beyond geometry to include physiology.

Assessing UAV imagery and high-resolution LiDAR for tree height estimation: The role of flight speed and image overlap ↗

Tree height is a fundamental attribute in ecological research and commercial forestry, serving as a key indicator of site productivity. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with RGB cameras and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors offer a cost- and time-efficient alternative to traditional field-based, satellite, and manned aircraft methods for tree height measurement. The objectives of this study are: (1) to evaluate the effects of UAV flight speed and image overlap on data quality, mission efficiency, and processing requirements; (2) to compare the performance of Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry and LiDAR in generating canopy height models (CHMs); and (3) to quantify the accuracy of UAV-derived tree height estimates relative to field measurements and identify optimal flight configurations. Three flight speeds (10, 15, and 20 mph) and four forward/side overlap levels (50%, 60%, 70%, and 80%) were tested, with UAV-derived height estimates validated against 920 field-measured trees. Both datasets were processed in ArcGIS Pro to produce canopy height models (CHMs), RGB imagery via Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry, and LiDAR data from laser-scanned point clouds. Orthomosaic quality was assessed using tie point density, reprojection error, ground resolution, image georeferencing deviation, Global Positioning System (GPS) root mean squared error (RMSE), and block adjustment success, while LiDAR point cloud quality was evaluated using point density (pts/m 2 ) and height percentiles (P25, P50, P75, P95). Height estimation accuracy for both sensors was quantified using the coefficient of determination (R 2 ), RMSE, and Bias. Results indicate that image overlap exerted a stronger and more consistent influence than flight speed across all dimensions of mission efficiency, data volume, and processing time. Flight duration more than doubled and image counts increased sixfold when overlap increased from 50:50 to 80:80. Higher overlaps improved orthomosaic continuity, tie point density, reprojection accuracy, and CHM quality, though at the cost of longer processing times, greater storage demands, and increased computational requirements. LiDAR point density similarly increased with overlap, yielding smoother CHMs at ≥70% overlap, while height percentiles remained stable across configurations. In terms of accuracy, UAV imagery at 10 mph with 80:80 overlap achieved the best photogrammetric performance (R 2 ≈ 0.60, RMSE = 4.5 m, Bias = 4.3 m), though all imagery-derived estimates exhibited systematic height underestimation. LiDAR-derived heights were substantially more robust across all flight configurations, with the best performance at 10 mph and 80:80 overlap (R 2 ≈ 0.89, RMSE < 1.5 m, Bias < 0.5 m). These findings demonstrate that higher overlap, particularly at moderate flight speeds, substantially enhances data quality and tree height estimation accuracy, offering practical guidance for optimizing UAV-based forest inventory workflows.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像・LiDARによる個体樹高推定を中心に、飛行条件、SfMとLiDARの比較、920本の実測木による精度検証を行っており、植物形質取得手法の技術評価が主目的である。

abstractThe objectives of this study are: (1) to evaluate the effects of UAV flight speed and image overlap on data quality, mission efficiency, and processing requirements; (2) to compare the performance of Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry and LiDAR in generating canopy height models (CHMs); and (3) to quantify the accuracy of UAV-derived tree height estimates relative to field measurements and identify optimal flight configurations.

Improving maize LAI estimation by integrating multispectral imagery and digital surface models with ensemble learning. ↗

To overcome the limitations of single remote-sensing features in estimating maize canopy leaf area index (LAI), this study developed a UAV-based estimation approach by integrating multispectral vegetation indices (VIs) with digital surface model (DSM) features and stacking ensemble learning. Field experiments were conducted in Dehong, Yunnan Province, China, during 2023-2024, and UAV multispectral images and DSM products were acquired for maize grown under three planting-density treatments. Five vegetation indices and three DSM-derived texture/structural features were retained according to their correlation with measured LAI, statistical significance, and complementary spectral or structural information. The VI-based random forest (VI-RF) model achieved an R 2 of 0.835 and an NRMSE of 9.5%, whereas the DSM-based model showed lower performance (R 2 = 0.641; NRMSE = 14.2%). Under the same random-forest modeling framework, fusing VIs with DSM features improved the overall model performance to R 2 = 0.892 and NRMSE = 7.6%, indicating that DSM-derived structural information mainly enhanced the feature representation of maize LAI. Using the same VI-DSM feature set, the stacking model with support vector machine (SVM) as the meta-learner further improved the overall performance to R 2 = 0.930 and NRMSE = 6.3%. The additional gain from stacking was moderate but consistent, whereas feature fusion contributed the dominant improvement. The combined VI-DSM-Stacking workflow improved prediction stability across planting densities, especially under low- and high-density canopy conditions where soil background interference and spectral saturation were more evident. These results demonstrate that integrating spectral and DSM-derived structural information with stacking ensemble learning can improve the accuracy and robustness of UAV-based maize LAI estimation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像・DSM・アンサンブル学習を統合し、トウモロコシのLAI推定法を開発・比較検証しており、表現型取得・推定手法が研究の中心である。

abstractthis study developed a UAV-based estimation approach by integrating multispectral vegetation indices (VIs) with digital surface model (DSM) features and stacking ensemble learning

From Occlusion to 3D: Amodal Completion Enables Single-View Wheat Reconstruction ↗

Abstract Occlusion is a major factor limiting accurate three-dimensional (3D) wheat phenotyping. In natural growth conditions, overlapping spikes, leaves, and stems often make only partial target regions visible in single-view images, hindering complete and reliable 3D reconstruction. To address this problem, this study proposes an amodal completion-driven framework for single-view 3D reconstruction of occluded wheat. The framework first uses visible prompts to recover the complete appearance and structural cues of occluded targets, and then feeds the completed images into single-view 3D reconstruction models to generate complete 3D structures. To support model training and evaluation, we construct the MMWO (Multi-view Multi-instance Wheat Occlusion) dataset from MMW by synthesizing diverse occlusion samples through organ-level cutouts, random geometric transformations, and region-constrained pasting, with annotations including visible masks, occlusion masks, and complete target images. Six representative reconstruction methods, including Direct3D, Real3D, SF3D, Spar3D, TRELLIS.2, and Hunyuan3D, are systematically evaluated. Hunyuan3D achieves the best geometric performance, with the lowest mean CD-L 1 and CD-L 2 values of 0.1286 and 0.0536, and the highest mean F-score of 0.5668. SF3D achieves the best rendering quality in terms of PSNR, SSIM, and LPIPS. In addition, Pix2Gestalt completion reduces the estimation errors of spike length, width, and area from 9.31%, 10.89%, and 32.23% to 4.64%, 9.70%, and 9.45%, respectively. These results demonstrate that amodal completion can effectively alleviate occlusion-induced information loss and provide more complete structural priors for single-view 3D wheat reconstruction. This study offers a feasible solution for robust 3D wheat phenotyping under occlusion and provides a systematic reference for applying general-purpose 3D generative models to agricultural phenotyping.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods遮蔽下小麦の単視点3D再構成とアモーダル補完を開発し、データセット構築、複数手法の系統評価、器官形質推定誤差の検証まで行っており、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractthis study proposes an amodal completion-driven framework for single-view 3D reconstruction of occluded wheat

Plant Disease Recognition Using ML ↗

Crop cultivation sustains the livelihoods of a substantial portion of households across developing economies, yet the crops on which those households depend are perpetually at risk from pathogenic infections that erode both yield volume and produce quality. Infected fields, when not addressed at the right time, translate into mounting financial strain that smallholder growers — who operate with limited financial reserves — are ill-equipped to withstand. The dominant method of spotting such infections today still relies on a farmer walking the field and judging leaf condition by eye, or waiting for an agronomist's visit — a workflow that is neither fast nor consistent enough for large-scale cultivation. Progress in deep learning has fundamentally changed what automated visual inspection can accomplish, and plant pathology diagnosis is one of the fields that has benefitted most visibly. Image-based pipelines can now scan a leaf photograph and return a disease classification in fractions of a second. Among the architectures driving this capability, Convolutional Neural Networks occupy a central role: their layered filter design allows them to extract and encode visually informative features — texture discontinuities, color anomalies, lesion geometry — without any manual specification of what to look for. We present a CNN-driven plant disease recognition system that operates on photographs of plant leaves and returns a disease label together with a confidence estimate. Our training corpus is the Plant Village benchmark collection, a large repository of annotated leaf images spanning healthy and diseased specimens across multiple crop varieties. The input pipeline applies spatial normalization, pixel rescaling, and augmentation strategies to condition the data before it reaches the network. A React.js browser interface connects end users to the model via a lightweight prediction API, enabling diagnosis without any specialist involvement. Validation results affirm that this deep learning approach surpasses rule-based image processing baselines on both accuracy and response time, and the system holds clear potential for adoption in early disease management program

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物葉画像から病害状態を推定するCNNベースの画像解析手法を開発し、既存手法との性能比較・検証を行っており、表現型取得が研究の中心である。

abstractWe present a CNN-driven plant disease recognition system that operates on photographs of plant leaves and returns a disease label together with a confidence estimate.

Integration of Aerial Photogrammetry, UAV LiDAR and Terrestrial LiDAR Point Clouds for Individual Tree Measurement and Individual Tree Carbon Storage Estimation ↗

Urban forest carbon sequestration is vital for environmental health, climate change mitigation, and enhancing the quality of life in urban areas. This paper presents a framework for high density point clouds production by integrating point data from aerial photogrammetry, UAV-based LiDAR and terrestrial LiDAR for individual tree measurements and carbon storage estimation. The aerial photos, UAV-based LiDAR and terrestrial LiDAR were observed based on common ground control points and combined using Iterative Closest Point (ICP) algorithm. The combined point cloud was iltered to separate ground points and normalized based on Digital Terrain Model (DTM). The normalized point cloud was used for individual tree segmentation from which individual tree measurements such as, tree height, Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) and crown diameter were estimated. The estimated tree parameters were used for individual carbon estimation. The results show that the individual tree segmentation method signi icantly underestimated the number of trees. The estimation of DBH, tree height, and crown diameter achieved the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) value of 0.107m, 1.385m and 2.650m respectively. However, in general the estimates experience underestimation as shown by Mean Bias Error (MBE) with 0.003m, -0.636m and 0.001m for DBH, tree height and crown diameter respectively. The estimated values for each individual tree were used for individual tree biomass and carbon storage recording the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) at 1970.236 kg and 886.606 kgC respectively while attaining the Mean Bias Error (MBE) measure of 140.019 kg and 63.009 kgC each. The proposed framework showed promising results for individual tree carbon estimation. Nonetheless, further attention should be given on individual tree delineation process.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods航空写真、UAV・地上LiDARを統合し、個体樹木の分離と樹高・DBH・樹冠径を推定して精度評価する手法が中心であり、植物形質計測の技術的検証に該当する。

abstractThis paper presents a framework for high density point clouds production by integrating point data from aerial photogrammetry, UAV-based LiDAR and terrestrial LiDAR for individual tree measurements and carbon storage estimation.

Evaluation of UAV Flight Altitude for Accurate Mangrove Canopy Height Estimation: A Case Study from Melgonze, Persian Gulf, Iran ↗

Abstract. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have become valuable tools for high-resolution ecological monitoring, particularly in complex environments such as mangrove forests. This study investigates the impact of flight altitude on the accuracy of tree height estimation in the Melgonze mangrove forest, in southern Iran. Two UAV flights were conducted at altitudes of 100 meters and 150 meters using a DJI Phantom 4 Pro, and photogrammetric processing was performed using Agisoft Metashape. A total of 16 mangrove trees were measured in the field to provide ground-truth reference data. Canopy height models (CHMs) were generated from both UAV datasets and compared to the field measurements. Preliminary results indicate that the 100-meter flight achieved higher accuracy, with a lower root mean square error (RMSE =21.2 cm), Mean Absolute Error (18.94 cm), and a higher coefficient of determination (R² = 0.97) compared to the 150-meter flight (43.3 cm, 35 cm, and 0.92, respectively). These findings underscore the significance of flight altitude in UAV-based assessments of forest structure and offer practical guidelines for optimizing data acquisition in future mangrove mapping applications.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像と写真測量によるマングローブ樹高推定を対象に、飛行高度が推定精度へ与える影響を実測値と比較検証しており、植物形質取得法の技術評価が中心である。

abstractThis study investigates the impact of flight altitude on the accuracy of tree height estimation in the Melgonze mangrove forest

Comparison of Unmanned Aircraft System–based Photogrammetry and Light Detection and Ranging for Pecan Tree Height Estimation ↗

While unmanned aircraft system (UAS)-based photogrammetry and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) are increasingly used for canopy height estimation in forestry and other orchard systems, their application to pecan orchards remains limited. Accurate measurements of tree height and canopy structure are essential in pecan production for assessing tree growth and health, and for supporting precision orchard management. This study provides one of the first systematic evaluations of UAS-based structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry and UAS-mounted LiDAR for estimating pecan tree height. A rotary-wing UAS equipped with RGB and near-infrared (NIR) cameras collected imagery at 60 and 120 m aboveground over two pecan orchards containing 480 and 308 trees, and LiDAR data were acquired at 70 m. UAS imagery was processed to generate three-dimensional (3D) point clouds, digital surface models (DSMs), digital terrain models (DTMs), and orthomosaics. DTMs were derived using point cloud classification and DSM filtering, and tree heights were calculated relative to these terrain models using canopy height models (CHMs) and point cloud–based approaches. LiDAR data were processed to produce calibrated point clouds, DSMs, and DTMs, from which tree heights were extracted using comparable methods. Image-based tree heights showed strong agreement with manual measurements, with point cloud–derived high percentiles or maxima [ R 2 = 0.982–0.996; root mean square error (RMSE) = 14 to 25 cm] consistently outperforming CHM-based estimates across ground elevation methods, camera types, and flight altitudes. LiDAR-derived tree heights exhibited similarly high accuracy. Image-based and LiDAR-derived heights were strongly correlated across all trees at 120 m ( R 2 = 0.982–0.995; RMSE = 18–25 cm), confirming the reliability of SfM photogrammetry. However, incomplete canopy reconstruction in some 60 m datasets led to underestimation, highlighting the importance of sufficient image overlap for accurate 3D canopy modeling. These results demonstrate that UAS image-based point clouds can provide pecan tree heights comparable to LiDAR, offering a cost-effective approach for tree growth monitoring, orchard management, and precision agriculture applications.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAS画像測量とLiDARを用いた pecan 樹高推定法を系統的に比較・検証しており、植物形態形質の取得が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study provides one of the first systematic evaluations of UAS-based structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry and UAS-mounted LiDAR for estimating pecan tree height.

Estimation of Ramie Key Phenotypic Traits Based on UAV Remote Sensing ↗

UAV-based phenotyping enables efficient high-throughput measurement of field crops. Phenotypic monitoring of ramie is critical for its cultivation management and variety breeding. However, ramie exhibits characteristics including multiple annual harvests, short growth cycles and rapid dynamic growth change, all of which increase the difficulty of growth monitoring and yield estimation. This study aims to utilize UAV-based multispectral remote sensing to estimate ramie plant height (PH), leaf area index (LAI), and above-ground biomass (AGB) over multiple time series, and to assess the influence of seasonal effects and different data processing strategies on the accuracy of ramie digital phenotyping. Over three ramie growth cycles, a total of 15 UAV flights were conducted over an experimental field consisting of 72 plots. The structure from motion (SfM) algorithm was applied to estimate PH. Remote sensing features derived from UAV imagery were used with background segmentation and machine learning to estimate LAI. The AGB was estimated by combining remote sensing-derived PH, LAI, and climate data. The results showed that the estimated and measured phenotypes were highly correlated, with optimal coefficients of determination of 0.961 for PH and 0.873 for LAI. Background segmentation improved LAI accuracy. Integrating climate data, remote sensing-derived PH and LAI significantly enhanced the accuracy of AGB estimation. In conclusion, this study provides a feasible method for extracting ramie phenotypes from UAV remote sensing imagery, providing methodological support for large-scale management of the crop industry and intelligent, precise monitoring of crop growth.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチスペクトル画像、SfM、背景分割、機械学習を用いてラムーの草丈・LAI・地上部バイオマスを推定し、精度評価まで行う手法研究であり、表現型取得・抽出が中心である。

abstractThis study aims to utilize UAV-based multispectral remote sensing to estimate ramie plant height (PH), leaf area index (LAI), and above-ground biomass (AGB) over multiple time series, and to assess the influence of seasonal effects and different data processing strategies on the accuracy of ramie digital phenotyping.

Toward smart agriculture: a hybrid mamba-transformer vision framework for plant disease detection ↗

Plant disease detection under complex field conditions remains a critical challenge for precision agriculture due to varying illumination, scale variations, subtle lesion patterns, and inter-class visual ambiguity. This study proposes MAFusionNet, a disease-aware hybrid vision framework integrating Mamba and Transformer architectures, with components explicitly designed for plant disease-specific challenges. The MAFusion Mixer operates parallel CS-Mamba and self-attention branches to simultaneously capture sequential lesion boundary evolution and global diseasecontext spatial relationships. The CS-Mamba branch employs the SS2D-LS Block with twodimensional selective scanning and Local-Selective enhancement for linear-complexity longrange modeling while preserving 2D lesion morphology. The PConv operator uses asymmetric directional kernels forming cross-shaped receptive fields to capture anisotropic disease patterns such as vein-aligned blights and directional rust streaks. We constructed PD40, a large-scale dataset with 80,369 expert-verified annotated images across 40 disease categories spanning eight major crops, with inter-annotator agreement Cohen’s κ = 0.874. Extensive experiments demonstrate that MAFusionNet achieves 94.7% mAP 50 and 81.8% mAP 50:95 on PD40, surpassing 25 state-of-the-art baselines including recent hybrid Mamba-Transformer detectors (CropMamba, HybridMamba, Mamba-DETR), with comprehensive ablation studies validating each component’s non-redundant contribution. Edge deployment analysis on NVIDIA Jetson hardware demonstrates practical feasibility: the compressed MAFusionNet-T-Lite variant (8.7M parameters) achieves 89.3% mAP 50 at 18.4 FPS on Jetson Nano with 8.3W power consumption. The dataset and code are available at PD40-Dataset GitHub Repository.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物病害の症状を画像から検出・分類する視覚モデルを開発し、注釈付き大規模データセットで検証しているため、植物状態の画像ベース表現型計測が中心である。

abstractWe constructed PD40, a large-scale dataset with 80,369 expert-verified annotated images across 40 disease categories spanning eight major crops

Towards Accurate Crop Yield Prediction: Integrating Sentinel-2 Remote Sensing with AI-Based Modelling ↗

Abstract. Accurate monitoring of vegetation health and canopy structure is essential for optimizing agricultural productivity and managing natural resources. Remote sensing technologies, combined with artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced satellite data, have revolutionized the capacity to assess crop conditions at large scales with high temporal and spatial resolution. This study leverages Sentinel-2 multispectral imagery and a novel AI-driven model approach to estimate Leaf Area Index (LAI) across multiple fields for canola. By integrating spectral reflectance data with view and solar geometry parameters, the model effectively captures the complex interactions between canopy structure and environmental factors. The methodology employs a two-layer neural network calibrated with physically based normalization to translate Sentinel-2 spectral and angular inputs into accurate LAI estimates. Validation against observed field measurements demonstrates strong agreement, underscoring the model’s robustness and reliability. Spatial analysis reveals distinct LAI patterns among the crop types, highlighting differences in canopy density and growth dynamics. Temporal profiling further illustrates crop-specific development trends, with canola showing extended canopy expansion. The results confirm that the fusion of remote sensing data with AI modelling provides a powerful tool for precision agriculture, enabling detailed monitoring of crop growth and facilitating informed decision-making. This approach offers significant potential for enhancing yield prediction, resource management, and sustainable farming practices, ultimately supporting global food security efforts.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsSentinel-2画像とニューラルネットワークにより、作物のLAIという明示的な植物形質を推定し、実測値で検証する手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study leverages Sentinel-2 multispectral imagery and a novel AI-driven model approach to estimate Leaf Area Index (LAI) across multiple fields for canola.

Research progress on rapid detection technology of soybean phenotypic indicators under saline-alkali stress. ↗

Main conclusion The progress of soybean phenotypic detection and intelligent sensing technologies has been reviewed under salt-alkali stress , and an integrated approach combining three-dimensional imaging with near-infrared spectroscopy has been proposed to construct full-spectrum three-dimensional images. The approach could provide a reference for the breeding of salt-alkali-tolerant soybean varieties and the optimization of cultivation practices. Soil saline-alkali is one of the major environmental factors limiting global agricultural development, posing a serious challenge to normal crop growth, resource use efficiency, and sustainable agricultural development. Soybeans are a vital oilseed crop and plant-based protein source, and their phenotypic traits are significantly affected by saline-alkali stress, severely limiting soybean grain yield and quality. With the rapid advancement of technologies such as intelligent sensing and big data, this progress has driven new developments in plant phenomics detection, offering fresh insights into germplasm resource evaluation, breeding, gene function, and the cultivation of salt-alkali stressed soybeans. This article introduces the impact of salinity-alkali stress on soybean "phenotype-environment-gene" information, reviews the technical progress and application fields of traditional phenotypic detection methods for obtaining various phenotypic indicators across crops, and focuses on a rapid detection method of soybean phenotype under salinity-alkali stress. This paper analyzes the current state of research on detecting phenotypic indicators of soybeans under saline-alkali stress using intelligent sensing methods, including near-infrared spectroscopy, image recognition, and three-dimensional imaging. It is anticipated that through the integration of three-dimensional imaging and near-infrared spectroscopy, forming "full-spectrum three-dimensional images" with spatial structure and spectral information, this approach will advance the breeding and cultivation of superior salt-alkali tolerant soybean varieties through "intelligent data-driven" methods.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物フェノタイピング指標の迅速検出技術を中心に、画像認識、三次元 imaging、近赤外分光などをレビューし、統合的な表現型取得法を提案する方法論的レビューである。

abstractThe progress of soybean phenotypic detection and intelligent sensing technologies has been reviewed under salt-alkali stress

Validation and application of high-throughput 3D multispectral phenotyping platform for evaluating seasonal adaptation in Chinese cabbage ↗

Climate change poses increasing challenges to Chinese cabbage ( Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis ) production through unpredictable weather patterns that induce premature bolting and physiological disorders. Traditional breeding programs rely on labor-intensive visual assessment that cannot capture continuous developmental dynamics or precisely quantify stress responses across variable environments. This study validated and applied an automated high-throughput phenotyping system for evaluating seasonal adaptation in 134 Chinese cabbage genotypes across contrasting autumn (favorable) and spring (stressful) seasons in Taiwan. The system, based on a FieldScan gantry platform equipped with multispectral 3D scanners, operated autonomously 2-3 times daily, continuously monitoring morphological parameters (3D leaf area, digital biomass, plant height) and spectral indices (NDVI, PSRI) throughout the growth cycle. The system’s automated components -continuous data acquisition and real-time parameter extraction – generated approximately 100,000 data points from 63 morphological, spectral, and structural parameters during 6-week pre-harvest period. Subsequent quality and statistical analysis enabled objective genotype classification and breeding decisions. Automated measurements showed season-dependent associations with visual assessment scores (R² = 0.37-0.56 in autumn; R² = 0.73-0.80 in spring), with spring models substantially outperforming autumn models due to enhanced physiological differentiation under stress. Spring cultivation induced severe stress responses, evidenced by 71% increase in PSRI (0.12 vs. 0.07) and 26% increase in plant height, with bolting resistance emerging as the critical determinant of adaptation. A quantile-based multi-dimensional classification framework integrating seasonal composite scores and Euclidean distances stratified germplasm into actionable breeding categories: stable genotypes (3.7%), spring-specific types (0.7%), poor performers (13.4%), and intermediate materials (82.1%). Continuous temporal monitoring enabled early stress detection, with binned PSRI measurements predicting subsequent morphological development one week in advance (R² = 0.62). This integrated phenotyping framework provides efficient tools for accelerating climate-resilient breeding through objective genotype classification, early stress detection, and data-driven decision support, with potential adaptation to other vegetable crops and integration with IoT-based collaborative breeding network.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods高スループット3D・マルチスペクトル表現型計測プラットフォームの検証と応用が研究の中心であり、形態・スペクトル形質の自動取得、抽出、予測性能、遺伝子型分類を評価している。

abstractThis study validated and applied an automated high-throughput phenotyping system for evaluating seasonal adaptation in 134 Chinese cabbage genotypes

LiDAR-Guided Semantic 3D Gaussian Splatting for Forest Digital Twins ↗

Forest digital twins play a crucial role in modern precision forestry by supporting biomass estimation and carbon cycle monitoring. However, existing 3D reconstruction methods struggle to simultaneously achieve metric-level structural accuracy and visual realism in complex understory environments. This study proposes a semantically constrained 3D Gaussian Splatting framework that fuses handheld LiDAR point clouds with unmanned aerial vehicle imagery. First, a multi-modal fusion mechanism is constructed to extract geometric anchors from registered LiDAR data for precise 3DGS spatial initialization, which mitigates rendering artifacts and geometric drift caused by poor initialization in purely visual methods. Second, a semantic regularization optimization strategy is proposed to realize differentiated modeling of tree trunks and canopies, effectively balancing the structural accuracy of rigid trunks and the photorealistic rendering of non-rigid canopies. Experiments conducted on three study plots demonstrate that the proposed approach achieves an average PSNR of 24.94 dB, SSIM of 0.773, and LPIPS of 0.231 across all plots, outperforming standard NeRF and baseline 3DGS, while enabling DBH estimation with R2 = 0.848 and RMSE = 2.705 cm. This method provides a solution for high-fidelity forest digital twin construction in open-canopy forest environments such as urban and campus forests.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsLiDAR・UAV画像を統合した3D再構成法を開発し、樹幹・樹冠の構造モデル化とDBH推定を評価しており、植物形質取得が中心的な技術貢献である。

abstractThis study proposes a semantically constrained 3D Gaussian Splatting framework that fuses handheld LiDAR point clouds with unmanned aerial vehicle imagery.

UAS-Based Analysis of a Black Locust Clone Trial ↗

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is a key tree species globally and in Hungary, valued for its economic benefits, adaptability, and ecosystem services. Despite its invasiveness and susceptibility to frost damage, its high-quality timber and significant nectar production make it economically important. This research, conducted as a collaboration between the Hungarian Forest Research Institute and the University of Debrecen, aimed to evaluate the applicability of remote sensing technologies in supporting black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) research and monitoring efforts. A clonal trial established in 2020 in eastern Hungary aimed to assess the performance of newly bred black locust clones. Tree height was measured using both conventional ground-based methods and photogrammetric analysis of unmanned aerial system (UAS) data, enabling comparison between the two approaches. Tree vitality was evaluated through UAS-based multispectral analysis using vegetation indices, including NDVI, GNDVI, NDRE, and LCI. Our findings revealed no significant differences (p>0.05) between UAS-based and traditional height measurements, confirming UAS as a reliable tool. Clones »NK2« and »PL251« showed superior growth (height of 7.6 m and 7.4 m) and health, while »Üllői« cultivar performed the weakest (5.3 m). Strong correlations were found between some vegetation indices (NDRE and LCI) and tree heights (r=0.593 and r=0.587), emphasizing the potential of remote sensing in efficient forest management. This study highlights the value of integrating UAS technology in forestry, offering cost-effective, accurate and comprehensive data for improving black locust cultivation practices.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUASの写真測量・マルチスペクトル解析により樹高と樹体活力を推定し、地上測定との比較検証を行っており、植物表現型取得手法が中心的です。

abstractTree height was measured using both conventional ground-based methods and photogrammetric analysis of unmanned aerial system (UAS) data, enabling comparison between the two approaches.

Development of a Compact Automatic Sorting Machine for Kazakhstani Apple Varieties Based on Computer Vision ↗

This article presents the development and experimental study of a compact, automated apple sorting machine based on computer vision, indirect fruit weight estimation, and color grading. It is designed for use in small and medium-sized farms, where the use of industrial lines is limited by high cost and complex maintenance. The proposed machine enables non-destructive assessing and sorting of apples in a continuous flow mode without the use of mechanical weighing, includes a fruit feeding and positioning module, a computer vision system, an image processing unit, and a sorting actuator synchronized with the conveyor movement. Fruit weight and color assessment is based on visual geometric parameters (diameter, fruit height, projected area, and the proportion of surface color), extracted from digital images, followed by classification by product category using regression models. As part of the experimental study, a correlation analysis was conducted between the actual weight of apples and their geometric parameters for five varieties typical of Kazakhstan. It was shown that the projected fruit area exhibits the most stable correlation with weight, justifying its use as the primary predictor in constructing a regression model for indirect weight estimation. An assessment of the accuracy of apple classification by product categories was carried out and the influence of conveyor speed on the stability and correctness of sorting was observed. The experimental results with a total 1250 apples of five varieties - Aport Alexander, Sinap Almaty, Kazakhski Yubileinyi, Ainur, and Nursat indicated that the optimal operating mode for the machine is an apple transport speed of 0.16 m/s. In this mode, sorting throughput is approximately 400 kg/hour, with an average accuracy of 92% for the automatic classification in accordance with GOST requirements. These results confirm that the proposed approach provides sufficient real-time sorting accuracy with a simple machine design. The machine can be used as a standalone sorting solution, as well as a base platform for further expansion of functionality by integrating surface defect assessment and grade identification modules.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods果実の形態・色・重量を画像から推定し分類するコンピュータビジョン方式と装置の開発が中心であり、単なる品質測定ではなく、再利用可能な植物器官形質の取得・推定法を提示している。

abstractThis article presents the development and experimental study of a compact, automated apple sorting machine based on computer vision, indirect fruit weight estimation, and color grading.

Long-term preservation strategy for legume root nodule phenotypes coupled with a comprehensive evaluation method. ↗

Nodule color and morphology are key readouts of legume symbiotic performance. However, long-term preservation of post-excavation nodules with intact morphology, color, and microbial cleanliness remains a major challenge. This study developed a two-stage aqueous-phase preservation method (TAPP) that enables rapid structural fixation and long-term chemical stabilization. A comprehensive evaluation was subsequently established, incorporating composite morphological score (0-5), color difference (ΔE) and its piecewise slope over time ([Formula: see text]), and visible contamination grade (0-3). Peanut and soybean nodules from multiple regions and cultivars were tracked for 24 months under five preservation methods: TAPP, FormalinCu, TAPP-Resin, Resin, and AirDry. TAPP showed the best overall preservation, with composite morphological scores of 4.65 ± 0.14 for peanut and 4.63 ± 0.22 for soybean at 24 months, and no visible mold. Color change slowed over time: [Formula: see text] decreased from 1.83 to 1.10 ΔE·month - 1 during 0-1 month to 0.16 ΔE·month - 1 during 12-24 months, yielding final ΔE values of 10.53 ± 1.88 and 10.32 ± 1.93, respectively. Notably, TAPP pretreatment markedly improved resin-embedded samples, demonstrating scalability and flexible deployment. In addition, this study further proposes a stage-wise workflow that integrates on-site pre-fixation, long-distance transport, and long-term storage to enable cross-regional circulation and collaborative phenomics of oxidation-prone, dehydration-sensitive nodules. Together, this work establishes a standardized, traceable workflow to preserve and benchmark legume root nodule phenotypes, supporting cross-laboratory comparability and longitudinal cross-source analyses.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsマメ科根粒の形態・色・汚染状態という植物表現型を長期保存し、定量評価・比較する手法と標準化ワークフローが研究の中心であるため。

abstractThis study developed a two-stage aqueous-phase preservation method (TAPP) that enables rapid structural fixation and long-term chemical stabilization.

3D Reconstruction of Mature Arabidopsis Ovules Using FIB-SEM to Study Filiform Apparatus Morphology ↗

Volume electron microscopy based on serial sectioning allows for three-dimensional (3D) visualization and analysis of the internal structures of tissues, cells, and organelles. One such technique, focused ion beam (FIB) scanning electron microscopy (SEM), has the advantages of nanoscale sectioning and high z-resolution, but the disadvantage of limited volume processing. Because of this limitation, targeting localized objects by FIB-SEM is difficult. Here, we developed a FIB-SEM observation workflow that enables the analysis of the filiform apparatus of synergid cells enclosed in the Arabidopsis ovule. In this protocol, plant samples are stained, embedded, trimmed, and carbon-coated while maintaining their orientation within the tissue. Then, sequential observations are performed using Cut & See function of FIB-SEM, followed by image processing for 3D reconstruction. Utilization of multi-scanning and image cropping from high-resolution data helps to identify localized targets within plant tissue. The filiform apparatus, which is an invaginated cell wall structure of the synergid cells, shows distinct contrast in each image, allowing for segmentation using brightness-based binarization. Such segmentation avoids the need to manually trace complex structures and facilitates 3D reconstruction by volume electron microscopy. Key features • Sampling and trimming of the resin block enable directionally loading in FIB-SEM. • Multi-scanning by FIB-SEM and target extraction by image processing software enable 3D reconstruction of local areas within the sample block. • Binarization using distinctive brightness of cellular structures enables segmentation without manual tracing of complex structures such as the filiform apparatus cell wall.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物組織内の構造をFIB-SEMと画像処理で3D再構成・セグメンテーションするワークフローを開発しており、フィリフォーム装置形態という植物器官形質の取得が中心である。

abstractHere, we developed a FIB-SEM observation workflow that enables the analysis of the filiform apparatus of synergid cells enclosed in the Arabidopsis ovule.

Sensing Plant Photosynthesis Using Solar-Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence: From Chloroplasts to the Globe ↗

Photosynthesis is the fundamental biological process that introduced oxygen into Earth's atmosphere and continues to power life, from the earliest single-celled organisms to entire global ecosystems. Yet, measuring photosynthesis across scales has been challenging because traditional techniques have not transcended scales. The emergence of remote-sensing techniques to measure solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) provides a unique approach to estimate photosynthesis across spatiotemporal scales, representing a new age for optical remote sensing to study photosynthesis and shaping the decades of satellite SIF research. Here, focusing on spatiotemporal scales, we review the mechanisms that drive the relationship between SIF and photosynthesis. Remotely sensed SIF is modulated by biological drivers, environmental drivers, the interaction between biological and environmental drivers, and the viewing geometry. Studying fluorescence at small scales provides the ecophysiological understanding needed to disentangle the biological and environmental drivers of SIF at larger scales. Leveraging progress in satellite SIF, future research should focus on cross-scale mechanistic understanding of the drivers of SIF and using SIF as a metric for plant function beyond photosynthesis.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の光合成・機能を推定するリモートセンシング手法（SIF）を中心に、その機構とスケール間利用をレビューしており、植物フェノタイピング手法のレビューに該当する。

abstractThe emergence of remote-sensing techniques to measure solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) provides a unique approach to estimate photosynthesis across spatiotemporal scales

Integrated Fruit Phenotyping and Electronic-Nose Profiling of Five Ilex Taxa from Eastern China for Germplasm Characterization and Utilization. ↗

Accurate characterization of closely related Ilex taxa is essential for the conservation, documentation, and utilization of plant genetic resources. In this study, five Ilex taxa from eastern China ( Ilex rotunda Thunb., Ilex chinensis , Ilex cornuta Lindl. & Paxt., Ilex cornuta 'Fortunei', and Ilex latifolia Thunb.) were evaluated using an integrated framework combining fruit morphometric traits, CIELAB color parameters, and electronic-nose (E-nose) volatile fingerprints. Fruit transverse diameter, longitudinal diameter, single-fruit weight, fruit shape index, and peel color traits (L*, a*, b*, and chroma, C*) differed significantly among taxa (one-way ANOVA, all p I . cornuta produced the largest and heaviest fruits, I . chinensis showed the most elongated fruit shape, and I . rotunda exhibited the highest redness and chroma values. Chemometric analyses of E-nose responses further improved taxon discrimination and revealed clear divergence in volatile-response patterns. Trait-space relationships were broadly consistent with the preset phylogenetic framework, with I . rotunda showing the greatest divergence and I . cornuta and I . cornuta 'Fortunei' showing the closest similarity. These findings indicate that integrated fruit phenotyping and rapid volatile profiling provide a practical approach for Ilex germplasm identification, comparative evaluation, and resource documentation, with potential value for conservation planning and horticultural utilization.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods果実形態・色彩形質と電子鼻プロファイリングを統合した再利用可能な分類・遺伝資源評価フレームワークが研究の中心であり、単なる生物学的実験の routine 測定を超える応用と判断する。

abstractevaluated using an integrated framework combining fruit morphometric traits, CIELAB color parameters, and electronic-nose (E-nose) volatile fingerprints.

LV-3DGS: A High-Quality Reconstruction Method Based on 3D Gaussian Splatting for Precise Phenotypic Measurement of Leafy Vegetables ↗

High-precision plant phenotyping requires efficient 3D reconstruction methods with high geometric quality. 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) has recently emerged as a promising approach for real-time 3D reconstruction, achieving impressive visual quality. However, in crop environments dominated by monochromatic and low-texture regions, existing 3DGS methods often produce ambiguous geometries and fail to recover geometry-consistent 3D surfaces. To address these limitations, we propose LV-3DGS (Leafy Vegetables-3DGS), an optimized 3DGS-based framework tailored for the reconstruction of leafy vegetable scenes. First, a blurred reconstruction module is introduced to mitigate reconstruction artifacts caused by camera motion blur during multi-view image acquisition. Second, we propose a planar optimization strategy and design both local and global geometric consistency regularizations to optimize the model, thereby improving the surface reconstruction quality and geometric accuracy. Third, based on an analysis of individual Gaussian contributions, a contribution-based pruning strategy is developed to selectively remove inaccurate geometric components, achieving accurate scene geometry while reducing memory consumption and improving rendering efficiency. In addition, a quantitative geometric evaluation method is proposed for assessing reconstruction quality. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves the highest accuracy among the tested baselines, with SSIM, PSNR, and LPIPS reaching 0.94, 34.53 dB, and 0.11, respectively. Moreover, the geometric consistency (GC) metric attains 0.317 cm. Finally, phenotypic parameters are measured from the reconstructed leafy vegetable point clouds. Compared with ground truth measurements, the proposed approach yields coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.9959, 0.9651, and 0.9895 for plant height, leaf number, and leaf area, respectively. These results are significantly outperform to some existing phenotyping methods, providing a new methodology and technical solution for high-precision, low-cost, and high-throughput crop phenotyping.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods葉菜類の3D再構成とそこからの形質抽出を中心に、手法開発・幾何評価・実測値との検証を行っているため、植物フェノタイピング手法として中心的である。

abstractwe propose LV-3DGS (Leafy Vegetables-3DGS), an optimized 3DGS-based framework tailored for the reconstruction of leafy vegetable scenes.

Characterization of Rhizosphere Oxidation Associated with Root Development in Rice Using Planar Oxygen Optodes ↗

Rhizosphere oxidation is a key adaptive mechanism in reductive soil environments, in which oxygen released from roots alters rhizosphere redox conditions and regulates biogeochemical processes. Rice plants possess an internal oxygen transport system, and radial oxygen loss (ROL) from roots is closely associated with root development. However, the spatial patterns of ROL in soil and their relationships with root traits remain poorly characterized. In this study, we developed a multimodal imaging system that integrates planar oxygen optodes with X-ray computed tomography to simultaneously visualize rhizosphere oxidation and root development in rice. Daily time-course tracking of individual crown roots revealed dynamic changes in the spatial distribution and magnitude of rhizosphere oxygen in relation to root elongation and aging. Root thickness was positively correlated with dissolved oxygen levels near root tips. Genotypic comparisons further identified a cultivar with reduced rhizosphere oxidation despite possessing thicker roots among the tested genotypes, thereby indicating the involvement of additional physiological processes. Overall, these findings demonstrate that rhizosphere oxidation is regulated by root growth stage and thickness and dynamically modulated during root development.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods平面酸素オプトードとX線CTを統合したマルチモーダル画像システムを開発し、イネ根の発達と根圏酸化を時系列・空間的に測定しているため、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractwe developed a multimodal imaging system that integrates planar oxygen optodes with X-ray computed tomography to simultaneously visualize rhizosphere oxidation and root development in rice.

EpiReasoner: An Integrated Artificial Intelligence Framework for Phenotype-to-Genotype Reasoning in Plant Epidermal Development ↗

Achieving high-throughput and precise phenotypic quantification and imaging modalities of stomatal and epidermal cells across diverse species remains a primary bottleneck in elucidating the mechanisms of stomatal dynamics, epidermal patterning, and environmental adaptation of plants. Here, we developed EpiReasoner, an artificial intelligence framework comprising a vision module, EpiVision, and a knowledge-based reasoning module, EpiBrain, for the quantitative phenotypic analysis and domain-specific knowledge reasoning of stomatal complexes and pavement cells in plants. Operating across bright-field, scanning electron microscopy, and differential interference contrast modalities, EpiVision achieves precise instance segmentation in various monocotyledonous, dicotyledonous, and fern species. Its performance significantly surpasses current state-of-the-art models. Moreover, we defined 23 quantitative indices describing stomatal cell morphology and spatial distribution. For domain-specific tasks such as phenotype prediction, genotype deduction, and molecular mechanism reasoning, EpiBrain demonstrates a human preference rate significantly higher than that of general-purpose large language models, including GPT-5 and Claude Sonnet 4. The application of EpiReasoner to phenotypic data of stomatal density derived from a tomato natural population of 170 accessions successfully identified a major quantitative trait locus on chromosome 8. The candidate gene, SKP1-interaction partner 19L ( SKIP19L ), encoding an F-box family protein, exhibited severe allele frequency drift during tomato domestication, which is highly consistent with the adaptive trend of reduced stomatal density under artificial selection. EpiReasoner provides a novel paradigm that unifies visual phenomics and knowledge-driven reasoning for the biology of stomata and pavement cells, thereby significantly accelerating scientific discovery in plant science.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の気孔・表皮細胞を対象に、画像解析と知識推論を統合したフェノタイピング手法を開発しており、形態・空間分布の定量化が中心的な貢献である。

abstractwe developed EpiReasoner, an artificial intelligence framework comprising a vision module, EpiVision, and a knowledge-based reasoning module, EpiBrain, for the quantitative phenotypic analysis and domain-specific knowledge reasoning of stomatal complexes and pavement cells in plants.

Improved leaf area index estimation in Jujube trees by fusing spatial-temporal features from UAV RGB time-series with a deep learning framework. ↗

To achieve high-precision and high-efficiency estimation of the Leaf Area Index (LAI) of jujube trees using drone remote sensing, and to overcome the limitations of traditional vegetation index methods, such as saturation in the later stages of crop growth, sensitivity to background noise, and difficulty in capturing temporal dynamics, this study proposes a parallel hybrid deep learning framework using CNN-GRU. The model adaptively extracts spatial-spectral local features from drone RGB images through a convolutional neural network (CNN) branch, while a gated recurrent unit (GRU) branch learns the sequential evolution of LAI during key phenological periods. Finally, a meta-learner integrates spatial-temporal information for decision-making. To verify the model's effectiveness and prediction performance, the study systematically collected multi-temporal ground-measured LAI data and synchronized drone remote sensing images during critical growth stages of jujube trees in two independent years: 2024 (Bachu, Xinjiang) and 2025 (Alaer, Xinjiang). A series of spectral and texture indices were extracted as model inputs. The experimental results show that the proposed CNN-GRU model exhibits excellent learning and fitting capabilities on the training set, with an R 2 value of 0.839. On the test set, after optimization with data augmentation strategies, the model's prediction accuracy is significantly improved, with prediction accuracy reaching its best level, with an R 2 of 0.83 and an RMSE of 0.150. All error metrics outperform mainstream comparative models such as Transformer, KNN, MLP, and CNN. This study demonstrates that the hybrid deep learning architecture, combining spatial feature extraction and time-series modeling, is an effective approach for accurate and robust remote sensing inversion of crop LAI in complex agricultural scenarios, providing a reliable technical tool for the digital management of smart orchards and precise agricultural decision-making.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV RGB画像からナツメ樹のLAIを推定するCNN-GRU手法を開発し、複数年データと比較モデルで性能検証しており、植物形質取得が中心である。

abstractthis study proposes a parallel hybrid deep learning framework using CNN-GRU

Monitoring plant moisture content and optimizing irrigation prescriptions based on UAV multimodal data ↗

Introduction With the continuous advancement of smart agriculture, multi-modal remote sensing based on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offers new technical approaches for monitoring and managing crop moisture in fields. However, significant challenges remain in developing high-precision field-scale crop Plant Moisture Content (PMC) prediction models and translating them into actionable irrigation strategies. Methods This study focuses on winter wheat, employing field experiments with PMC and water use efficiency (WUE) as indicators of crop water status. Vegetation indices (VIs) derived from UAV data were used to construct a leaf area index (LAI) inversion model. Crop Height was extracted from oblique photogrammetry point cloud data. By combining the Penman-Monteith equation with dual crop coefficients, an improved evapotranspiration (ET) model was developed, utilizing multispectral data from UAVs, thermal infrared data, point cloud-derived plant height, and LAI inversion results. Further utilizing VIs, temperature indices (TIs), and machine learning algorithms (Random Forest Regression (RFR), Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN), Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR), and Support Vector Regression (SVR), we established PMC prediction models for winter wheat at different growth stages. These models, integrated with WUE, form the basis for an irrigation scheduling optimization framework at the field scale. Results Results indicate that VIs, the difference between canopy temperature and air temperature (ΔT), Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI), and ET exhibit varying correlations with PMC during three critical growth stages of winter wheat, with ET showing the highest correlation during the jointing and heading stages (absolute correlation coefficient |r| ≥ 0.639). Compared to PMC prediction models constructed with different combinations of VIs, ET, VIs+ET, and VIs+TIs, the model employing the RFR algorithm with multimodal inputs (VIS+TIs+ET) demonstrated the best performance. The model’s predictive accuracy gradually improved across all growth stages, peaking during the grain-filling stage, with the coefficient of determination(R 2 ) of 0.900 and a normalized root mean square error (nRMSE) of 2.688%. Optimal WUE varied across growth stages under different irrigation treatments. The highest values were achieved at the jointing stage under treatment W3 (PMC = 81.8%), and at the heading and grain-filling stages under treatment W1 (PMC = 76.8% and 64.0%, respectively). Discussion The study suggests that stage-specific irrigation scheduling based on PMC thresholds can improve overall water use efficiency. This study shows that integrating multi-modal UAV data with machine learning and an improved ET model enables high-precision PMC monitoring, supporting data-driven irrigation scheduling in precision agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVマルチモーダルデータと機械学習により、作物水分状態（PMC）、LAI、草高、蒸発散量を推定する手法を開発・評価しており、フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractCrop Height was extracted from oblique photogrammetry point cloud data.

Image-based phenotyping of faba bean genetic resources for water deficit responses under controlled conditions ↗

Abstract Faba bean ( Vicia faba L.) has great potential to contribute to sustainable agriculture and protein security globally but is known to be very sensitive to drought stress. Uncovering drought-resilient germplasm is critical for developing resilient cultivars and advancing our understanding of the mechanisms underlying stress adaptation. However, high-throughput plant phenotyping under stress conditions remain a major bottleneck in crop genetics and breeding programs. In this study, a multi-sensor indoor phenotyping platform was used to assess 44 faba bean genotypes under water deficit conditions. Standardized, monitored stress conditions were achieved by watering-by-weighing for drought onset, duration, and intensities allowing genotype-level comparisons. The genotypes showed a range of stress responses in growth and physiology, including traits such as plant height, biomass, water use efficiency (WUE), and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. Digital biomass, derived from combined top- and side-view plant imaging, was strongly correlated with biological biomass at the experimental endpoint, validating its use as a non-destructive proxy for growth assessment in faba bean. Time-resolved generalized additive modelling further revealed genotype-specific differences in the timing and magnitude of water deficit response. Genotypes that maintained growth and WUE under water deficit conditions may serve as valuable pre-breeding materials for development of drought-adapted faba bean.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods多センサー表現型プラットフォームを用いた画像由来バイオマスの抽出と生物量との検証が研究の中心であり、表現型取得・検証に該当する。

abstractIn this study, a multi-sensor indoor phenotyping platform was used to assess 44 faba bean genotypes under water deficit conditions.

A study on a 3D morphological measurement method for tobacco stems based on point cloud data and central skeleton extraction ↗

Conventional two-dimensional image-based methods are limited in measuring the three-dimensional morphology of tobacco stems, especially thickness and curved geometry. This study proposes a point-cloud-based method for three-dimensional tobacco stem measurement using a dual-laser scanning system. The method combines improved centerline skeleton extraction, upper–lower surface registration, and skeleton-guided cross-sectional analysis to estimate length, width, thickness, and fineness. Adaptive neighborhood re-weighting and curvature-constrained regularization are introduced to improve skeleton extraction, and reference-assisted registration is used to support thickness measurement. For a standard gauge block, the proposed method achieved mean absolute errors below 0.009 mm and root mean square errors below 0.011 mm for length, width, and thickness measurements. Validation on 30 tobacco stem samples showed good agreement with the YC image-based method for length and width, with correlation coefficients of 0.998 and 0.997, respectively. The results demonstrate the feasibility of thickness-aware three-dimensional morphological measurement of tobacco stems under the tested conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsタバコ茎の長さ・幅・厚さ・細さという植物形態形質を、点群・レーザースキャン・骨格抽出で測定する手法の開発と検証が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study proposes a point-cloud-based method for three-dimensional tobacco stem measurement using a dual-laser scanning system.

LOCOPOTS: a low-cost high-throughput screening platform for in vitro potato phenotyping under abiotic stress ↗

Potato crop is highly vulnerable to abiotic stresses like salinity and low nutrient availability. Rapid identification of stress-resilient genotypes is therefore essential for breeding, yet conventional phenotyping is often slow, space-demanding and expensive. We present LOCOPOTS — a LOw-COst high-throughput screening platform for in vitro POTatoes under abiotic Stress — which combines individual in vitro plant culture, low-cost RGB imaging and machine-learning-based automatic segmentation using a trained model of a convolutional neural network, based on U-Net architecture. LOCOPOTS enabled the automated extraction of growth, colour, and vegetation-index traits and demonstrated robust performance across independent phenotyping rounds. We screened 30 potato varieties under control, low-nutrient and saltinity conditions, identifying contrasting growth and physiological responses. Integrated traits such as final area and height, Area_AUC and height_AUC, together with GLI, Ch ol , cive and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, discriminated genotype performance under stress. Metabolic profiling further revealed genotype-specific reprogramming in carbon and nitrogen metabolism under low nutrition and salt stress, including changes in fructose, myo-inositol, β-aminobutyric acid, γ-aminobutyric acid, proline, and certain polyamines, identifying them as specific chemical biomarkers of plant stress responses. LOCOPOTS provides a scalable, affordable and space-efficient platform for early screening of potato genetic diversity and identification of candidate traits associated with stress resilience.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods低コストRGB撮像とU-Netによる自動セグメンテーションを中核とする、ジャガイモ表現型取得プラットフォームの開発・検証であり、形態・色・植生指数形質を自動抽出している。

abstractWe present LOCOPOTS — a LOw-COst high-throughput screening platform for in vitro POTatoes under abiotic Stress — which combines individual in vitro plant culture, low-cost RGB imaging and machine-learning-based automatic segmentation using a trained model of a convolutional neural network, based on U-Net architecture.

A Multi-Sensor UAV Platform: Design, Testing, and Application for High-Throughput Plant Phenotyping ↗

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are broadly used for high-throughput plant phenotyping, yet their long-term use in public-sector research is increasingly challenged by regulatory restrictions and reliance on proprietary platforms. This study presented a regulation-compliant, modular multi-sensor unmanned aerial system (UAS) designed to deliver flexible, high-quality phenotyping data without dependence on restricted ecosystems. A dual-mount, open-architecture payload integrated RGB, multispectral, and thermal sensors, enabling simultaneous acquisition of structural, spectral, and thermal information within a unified workflow. Field validation in a lantana (Lantana camara) breeding trial demonstrated high-precision multi-sensor data fusion and reliable trait extraction. Spatial co-registration achieved centimeter-level accuracy, with alignment errors of 0.88 cm (multispectral) and 3.23 cm (thermal) relative to the RGB reference. UAV-derived canopy height closely matched ground measurements (R2 up to 0.98; RMSE as low as 1.57 cm), while canopy coverage estimates showed consistency across sensing modalities (R2 = 0.99; RMSE = 0.02 m2). Calibrated thermal orthomosaics provided robust canopy temperature estimation (RMSE = 3.13 °C), supporting a quantitative assessment of plant physiological status. Together, these results demonstrate that a regulation-compliant, open-architecture UAV platform can achieve high accuracy in multi-modal phenotyping while maintaining flexibility and cost efficiency. This work demonstrates a scalable and sustainable framework for UAV-based phenotyping, enabling researchers to adapt to evolving regulations while advancing data-driven crop improvement.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物フェノタイピング用のマルチセンサーUAVプラットフォームを設計・検証し、植物形質の抽出精度を評価しているため、方法が中心的である。

abstractThis study presented a regulation-compliant, modular multi-sensor unmanned aerial system (UAS) designed to deliver flexible, high-quality phenotyping data without dependence on restricted ecosystems.

Macronutrient deficiency reduces growth and influences vegetation indices of greenhouse grown ornamental and vegetable plants as measured by the TraitFinder digital phenotyping system. ↗

Introduction: Recent technological advances in high resolution image capture and analysis have led to increased adoption of high-throughput digital phenotyping in plant science research. High-throughput digital phenotyping provides a nondestructive method to quantify changes in plant growth and health in response to environmental factors or developmental cues. Moreover, it allows researchers to conduct large experiments in a time- and cost-efficient manner. The TraitFinder is a digital phenotyping system developed by Phenospex (Heerlen, Netherlands) that measures plant morphological (e.g., digital biomass) and spectral (leaf light reflectance) information. Leaf reflectance is presented as five vegetation indices (e.g., normalized difference vegetation index). Methods: This project evaluated nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) deficiency in greenhouse grown ornamental and vegetable plants using the TraitFinder. Plant species included celosia, coleus, marigold, petunia, and tomato. Plants were fertilized with a complete Hoagland's solution (control), and three modified solutions: Hoagland's solution without nitrogen (-N), phosphorus (-P), or potassium (-K). Each plant species was evaluated separately with eight replicate plants per treatment, organized as a randomized complete block design. Results: Treatment with -N, -P, and -K solutions resulted in reduced vegetative growth and decreased concentration of the corresponding macronutrient in leaf tissue for all species evaluated. We observed that the presence of flowers would negatively affect calculations of the vegetation indices due to their distinct spectral properties; therefore, flowers must be excluded to accurately quantify plant health parameters. In general, we observed a common trend where GLI (green leaf index) and NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) decreased, and NPCI (normalized pigment chlorophyll index) and PSRI (plant senescence reflectance index) increased in response to macronutrient deficiency. The measure of GLI, NDVI, NPCI, and PSRI were different from the control plants, but these observations were dependent on the nutrient deficiency and species tested. Discussion: Our results underscore the importance of accounting for species-specific spectral signatures when assessing plant responses to nutrient deficiencies. This project also provides reference values for interpreting vegetation indices, offering valuable guidance for scientists implementing digital phenotyping in their experimental protocols. Digital phenotyping can significantly improve experimental throughput and provide quantitative insights into plant health.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsTraitFinderによる形態・スペクトル形質の取得と、花の除外や種特異的スペクトルへの対応を含むデジタルフェノタイピングの実質的な適用・評価が中心である。

abstractThe TraitFinder is a digital phenotyping system developed by Phenospex (Heerlen, Netherlands) that measures plant morphological (e.g., digital biomass) and spectral (leaf light reflectance) information.

Observing the invisible: X‐ray CT for plant–microbe interactions ↗

Summary Plant–microbe interactions are inherently spatial, yet the physical structure of the soil and rhizosphere is rarely treated as a mechanistic variable in experimental design. X‐ray computed tomography (X‐ray CT) enables nondestructive, three‐dimensional, and time‐resolved imaging of intact root–soil systems, providing direct access to the structural context in which plant–microbe interactions occur. Rather than a secondary imaging technique, X‐ray CT can offer a wealth of data as a primary experimental platform for future plant–microbe research. Here, we highlight key structural traits that X‐ray CT can quantify and discuss how they may shape microbial behaviour, plant immune responses, and disease outcomes. We expand on how X‐ray CT could be employed in future to provide a framework to disentangle direct microbial effects from indirect, structure‐mediated feedbacks. For breeding and management, it could enable selection for root traits and soil practices that engineer favourable microhabitats rather than targeting organisms in isolation. Despite this potential, broader adoption will require overcoming current limitations related to access to instrumentation, analytical expertise, and the integration of structural data with biological measurements. Overall, we suggest that resolving these issues will enable the integration of X‐ray CT‐derived structure with molecular, microbiome, and modelling approaches to enable the development of digital rhizospheres, offering a pathway from descriptive observations to predictive, structure‐aware in silico frameworks in plant–microbe research.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsX線CTを用いて根・土壌系の構造形質を定量する方法を、植物・微生物相互作用研究の主要な実験プラットフォームとして論じる方法論レビューであり、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心です。

abstractX‐ray computed tomography (X‐ray CT) enables nondestructive, three‐dimensional, and time‐resolved imaging of intact root–soil systems, providing direct access to the structural context in which plant–microbe interactions occur.

Image-based QTL mapping of grain size for establishment of predictive breeding in rice ↗

Rice is a staple food and a major source of calories for much of the global population. With the global population continuing to rise, breeding high-yielding rice cultivars is critical for future food security. Grain size is a key trait directly related to rice yield. In this study, QTL mapping was conducted using both phenotypic data collected with Vernier calipers and image-based phenotyping. All QTLs identified through caliper measurements were also detected using image data, which allowed for more precise localization with higher LOD scores. Grain size-related QTLs were identified on chromosomes 3, 5, 6, and 7, including major genes such as GS3, qSW5, and GW7. A novel QTL region between markers RM586 and RM1163 on chromosome 6 was identified, which has not been previously reported. Introgression of this region positively affected grain length, and an additive effect was observed when combined with qGL3. Within the RM586-RM1163 region, 16 open reading frames (ORFs) were annotated, and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis suggested their roles in regulating cellular structures and organelle functions during grain development. Among these, OsGSq6 showed a significant increase in expression from the panicle formation stage to the heading stage. Fifteen SNPs were identified within the gene, resulting in 11 distinct haplotypes, several of which were predominantly found in indica rice. OsGSq6 encodes a phosphotyrosyl phosphatase activator, suggesting its role in grain development. Image-based phenotyping also enabled the detection of varietal admixtures, contributing to improved genetic purity. This approach offers a promising strategy for enhancing rice breeding precision.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods画像ベース表現型解析を用いてイネ粒サイズを定量し、ノギス測定との比較でQTL検出精度を評価しており、表現型取得法の実質的な適用が研究上重要です。

abstractQTL mapping was conducted using both phenotypic data collected with Vernier calipers and image-based phenotyping.

Stem Modeling for Savanna Tree Characterization with Close-Range Photogrammetry: Comparison of the Performance of Automatic Algorithms ↗

Sudanian savannas remain underexplored in terms of utilizing close-range photogrammetry (CRP) for assessing tree characteristics, leaving a gap in ecological research. This study evaluates the performance of automatic stem modeling techniques using CRP-generated point clouds for 30 trees from five savanna species. Two labeling methods, a machine learning-based approach (StemML) and a flatness/vertical structure-based method (StemFlat), were used to extract stem points. We applied three diameter estimation techniques: convex-hull line fitting (CHM), least squares circle fitting (LSM), and Ransac circle fitting (RANSAC), comparing their results against field measurements using root mean square error (RMSE), bias and the coefficient of determination R2. The combination of StemML and CHM yielded the best performance, with an RMSE of 2.1 cm (5.8%), R2 of 0.983 and a bias of −0.30 cm, accurately identifying 93% of stem segments. Diameter estimation accuracy varied with height, with optimal alignment between CRP-derived profiles and manual measurements occurring between 0.5 and 2.5 m. These findings demonstrate CRP’s potential for modeling savanna tree stems and highlight the importance of method selection in ensuring reliable measurements.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods近距離写真測量による樹幹点群の抽出・モデル化と直径推定手法を開発・比較し、野外測定で性能検証しているため、植物形質計測手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study evaluates the performance of automatic stem modeling techniques using CRP-generated point clouds for 30 trees from five savanna species.

Phenotypic analysis method for 3D reconstruction of eggplant seedlings fused with background purification — based on the improved EggplantPointNet++ model and DBSCAN clustering ↗

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is a widely cultivated vegetable crop worldwide, occupying an important position in the agricultural industries of Asia, the Middle East, and Southern Europe. Its significance extends beyond agricultural economics to diverse dimensions such as dietary nutrition, rendering it of considerable research and application value. Traditional crop phenotyping methods suffer from low efficiency, substantial manual errors, and a tendency to damage tender seedlings, while existing three-dimensional phenotyping techniques face challenges including strong background interference and large data volumes. These dual constraints limit the accuracy and application feasibility of seedling phenotyping. To address these issues, this study proposes a non-destructive phenotyping method for eggplant seedlings, with the improvement of the PointNet++ architecture as its core and point cloud background purification as a key preprocessing step, aiming to enhance eggplant breeding efficiency and seedling screening accuracy. The raw point clouds first undergo background purification to actively remove seedling tray points, thereby improving point cloud purity and reducing data size. Concurrently, based on the PointNet++ model, we develop an improved point cloud segmentation model, EggplantPointNet++, by introducing multi-scale residual blocks, integrating channel attention mechanisms, incorporating a global context module, and refining the feature propagation layer. In conjunction with the DBSCAN clustering algorithm, this approach achieves semantic and instance segmentation of eggplant seedling point clouds, with certain improvements in segmentation accuracy and model efficiency under small-scale and occluded scenarios. To validate the technical effectiveness, multiple comparative experiments and ablation studies were conducted. The results demonstrate that EggplantPointNet++ outperforms the original model, background purification preprocessing provides positive gains, and each improved module contributes positively. The final model achieves improvements in core metrics including Recall and F1-score. Based on the segmented point cloud data, this study calculates core phenotypic parameters including plant height, stem diameter, cotyledon angle, and cotyledon area. Using the technical system established in this study, we completed the time-series measurement of three-dimensional morphological changes in eggplant seedlings during the cotyledon stage, providing quantitative references for seedling growth assessment and superior plant selection.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsナス幼苗の3D点群から形質を抽出する非破壊フェノタイピング手法を開発し、比較実験・アブレーションで技術性能を検証しているため、方法が中心的である。

abstractthis study proposes a non-destructive phenotyping method for eggplant seedlings

From plots to commercial fields: scalable, transferable cotton morphology and productivity estimation using functional growth proxies from UAV and PlanetScope time series. ↗

Product demand and climate variability are progressively increasing the need for real-time, scalable crop monitoring to support varietal selection and in-season input optimisation. However, producers still have limited information on the temporal and spatial variability of cotton health and performance beyond point-scale field surveying. In addition, given cotton's high phenotypic plasticity, near real-time derived metrics are essential to improve input efficiency and strengthen long-term sustainability of the cotton industry in Australia. Therefore, we proposed a functional integrated predictive sensing framework to estimate and predict cotton canopy morphological (i.e., height) and productivity traits (i.e., dry matter and lint yield) across large plots (12m × 6m). Scalability was validated by applying the proposed framework to estimate and map cotton yield across commercial fields. To do this, we explored the accuracy of high-resolution multispectral imagery from two platforms (unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and PlanetScope (PS)) collected across two 144-plot trials for two cotton seasons. These were designed with a large range in nitrogen rates (N), shading, and two growth-regulator doses, thus, creating variable environments. Sensing metrics were obtained from UAV imagery (1.3-1.6 cm pixel size) acquired once in 2022/23 and eight times in 2023/24, while PS composites (3 m pixel size) provided near-daily coverage in both seasons. Time-series gaps were imputed using Savitzky-Golay smoothing in thermal time (GDD), enabling extraction of growth dynamic metrics (GDMs) as single-date (SD; e.g., peak canopy) and multi-date (MD; e.g., daily average growth rate) metrics. After reducing collinearity and dimensionality, random forest (RF), support vector regression (SVR), and gaussian process regression (GPR) were trained and interpreted with SHAP, for feature contribution. UAV single-date models (SD_ UAV) achieved strong accuracy for height (R 2 = 0.77), biomass (R 2 = 0.73), and yield (R 2 = 0.81). Incorporating UAV time-series metrics (MD_UAV) improved the performance R 2 = 0.87, 0.86, and 0.85 for height, biomass and yield, respectively. Application of the derived models using high resolution satellite data (MD_PS) for different farming systems showed highly significant accuracy (R 2 = 0.67) to predict cotton yield at aggregated field scale. As such, enabling the detailed spatial prediction of cotton yield within a field. It is anticipated that the proposed functional sensing framework will improve the estimation of key cotton production traits, supporting field- and within-field decision-making, ultimately contributing to more resilient and sustainable cotton production in Australia.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV・衛星時系列画像から綿花の形態・生産性形質を推定するセンシング／予測フレームワークを開発・検証し、商業圃場へ適用しており、表現型取得手法が中心である。

abstractwe proposed a functional integrated predictive sensing framework to estimate and predict cotton canopy morphological (i.e., height) and productivity traits (i.e., dry matter and lint yield) across large plots (12m × 6m).

Construction of a Precision Thinning Framework for Cunninghamia Lanceolata Plantations Driven by Point Cloud Fusion and Multi-Criteria Weighting ↗

Thinning is a cornerstone of sustainable forest management (SFM), yet decisions are often constrained by subjective experience and a lack of quantitative spatial data. To address this, we developed a precision thinning framework for Cunninghamia lanceolata plantations by fusing terrestrial and aerial LiDAR data. Instead of relying on manual selection, this study established a quantitative mechanism for identifying harvesting targets. We employed a layer-stacking seed-point algorithm to accurately segment individual trees and extracted key parameters (tree height, DBH, and crown width) with high precision (Overall R2 ≥ 0.85). Furthermore, an objective multi-criteria weighting method (AHP – CRITIC) was constructed to prioritize thinning targets based on stand stability and growth status. Results indicated that the proposed framework achieved an individual tree segmentation F1-score of 89.24%. Simulated thinning based on the calculated weights significantly optimized the stand spatial structure: canopy openness increased by 11.8%, and spatial indices converged toward optimal ranges. Compared with conventional practices, the proposed approach effectively reduced growth dispersion and enhanced population coordination. These findings demonstrate that integrating multi-platform LiDAR with objective weighting algorithms offers a scientifically rigorous pathway for precision forestry, promoting both productivity and the long-term sustainability of plantation ecosystems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsLiDAR融合による個体木セグメンテーションと樹高・DBH・樹冠幅の抽出、および精度評価が枯間伐フレームワークの中心的な技術要素であるため、植物表現型計測手法として採用する。

abstractWe employed a layer-stacking seed-point algorithm to accurately segment individual trees and extracted key parameters (tree height, DBH, and crown width) with high precision (Overall R2 ≥ 0.85).

Quantifying the Link Between 3D Vegetation Structure and Plant Diversity in Urban Parks Using Fused Multi-Platform LiDAR Data ↗

Traditional field surveys of urban park biodiversity lack efficiency and scale, whereas LiDAR offers precise 3D vegetation quantification. This study investigates how 3D vegetation structural complexity impacts urban park plant diversity. We integrated Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and handheld LiDAR data with ground-based quadrat surveys to capture comprehensive vegetation structures. Using six key 3D structural metrics, we modeled their relationship with plant diversity via Random Forest. Results indicate canopy height standard deviation (Hstd) primarily influences cultivated plant diversity, while the vegetation density index (VDI) drives spontaneous diversity. The model predicted species richness better (30.63% variance explained) than the Shannon index (7.63%). These drivers exhibited significant non-linear effects and potential ecological thresholds. A strong synergy emerged: when the vertical structure is complex and the 3D spatial density is high, the predicted plant diversity initially exhibits a trend of saturation and stabilization. Ultimately, multi-dimensional 3D vegetation structure proves to be a robust indicator of plant diversity. Our proposed multi-platform LiDAR fusion framework enables rapid, precise ecological assessments, providing methodological references and support for the transition from 2D to 3D green quality evaluation in the fine-scale management of similar cities.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV・ハンドヘルドLiDARを融合し、植物群落の3D構造指標を抽出して植物多様性を推定する測定・解析フレームワークが中心であり、植物状態の定量的評価に該当する。

abstractWe integrated Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and handheld LiDAR data with ground-based quadrat surveys to capture comprehensive vegetation structures.

Research on maize growth simulation and organ morphology co-modeling driven by multimodal data fusion. ↗

Introduction Addressing the core bottleneck in traditional crop models-the disconnect between morphology and physiological function at the organ scale and their limited dynamic response to environmental changes-this study aimed to construct a multi-source data fusion maize growth model for simultaneous organ-scale simulation. Methods We developed a closed-loop Environment-Driven-Functional Response-Morphological Feedback (EDFM) architecture. By integrating environmental time-series data, RGB images, and 3D point clouds, we created a multimodal fusion model based on a gated attention network. This approach adaptively weights multi-source features and pioneers a bidirectional morphology-physiology feedback loop based on physiological development time (PDT) and NURBS surfaces. The WOFOST moisture response function was also improved. Results The model significantly enhanced the simulation accuracy of organ-scale growth, reducing the root mean square error (RMSE) for plant height by 74.6% through a morphology-physiology dynamic weighting mechanism. More fundamentally, it resolved the disconnect between morphological and physiological processes. The improved plant height prediction validates the model's effectiveness at the organ scale. Discussion The pioneering "physiology-morphology" parallel simulation architecture provides an interpretable theoretical model and robust quantitative tools for designing high-photosynthetic-efficiency plant architecture and enabling precision water-fertilizer management.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsRGB画像・3D点群・環境データを統合し、器官スケールの形態と生長をシミュレーションする手法を開発しており、植物形質（草丈など）の推定が中心的な技術貢献である。

abstractWe developed a closed-loop Environment-Driven-Functional Response-Morphological Feedback (EDFM) architecture.

LiDAR and UAV Photogrammetry for Three-Dimensional Canopy Reconstruction: A Comparative Study for Precision Agriculture Under Mediterranean Conditions ↗

This study evaluates the performance of LiDAR sensing and UAV photogrammetry for three-dimensional canopy reconstruction and structural parameter estimation in precision agriculture. Experiments were conducted in Sicily (Italy) on Moringa oleifera Lam. and Ficus macrophylla subsp. columnaris, representing contrasting canopy architectures. LiDAR and UAV data were used to generate canopy models and estimate canopy height, volume, and vegetation density. A voxel-based approach was applied to LiDAR point clouds to analyze internal canopy structure. LiDAR significantly outperformed UAV photogrammetry, achieving lower errors in canopy height estimation (RMSE = 0.19–0.21 m vs. 0.52–0.60 m) and canopy volume (3.5–4.2% vs. 13.7–16.1%). UAV photogrammetry provided reliable estimates of canopy surface but underestimated structural parameters in dense vegetation due to occlusion effects. Differences were more pronounced in Ficus macrophylla than in Moringa oleifera, highlighting the influence of canopy complexity. These findings demonstrate that LiDAR-derived structural metrics can improve canopy characterization and support precision agriculture applications such as biomass estimation, irrigation planning, and canopy management in Mediterranean cropping systems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsLiDARとUAVフォトグラメトリによる樹冠の3次元再構成と、樹冠高・体積・密度推定を比較検証しており、植物形質取得手法が研究の中心です。

abstractThis study evaluates the performance of LiDAR sensing and UAV photogrammetry for three-dimensional canopy reconstruction and structural parameter estimation in precision agriculture.

Exploring morphological traits related to potential milling yield based on image-analysis. ↗

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a globally essential cereal crop whose productivity and processing efficiency are critically influenced by the morphological traits of the grain. While biotic and abiotic stresses reduce field yields, post-harvest milling losses further diminish flour output, underscoring the importance of optimizing grain morphology for processing efficiency. This study investigates the relationships between the wheat grain shape and size parameters and their impact on milling performance outcomes to identify optimal morphological characteristics that minimize yield losses. Using a Korean wheat core collection of 566 accessions, we applied image-based phenotyping to quantify key grain traits, in this case the width, length, area, perimeter, aspect ratio, circularity, roundness, and skewness. Multivariate analyses through k-means clustering and principal component analysis showed two distinct morphological groups and highlighted the kernel width and uniformity as potential indicators. Strong positive correlations between size traits and negative correlations between shape descriptors emphasize the trade-offs influencing milling quality. Optimal wheat grains for enhanced the milling yield exhibited large, plump, regular kernels with high circularity and low skewness. These findings provide quantitative criteria to guide wheat breeding programs with the goal of genetically optimizing the grain morphology to improve the milling yield and processing quality, thereby contributing to global food security.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods画像解析による小麦粒の形態形質の定量が研究の中心であり、大規模コレクションに適用して形質抽出・解析を行っているため、植物表現型手法の実質的な応用に該当する。

abstractUsing a Korean wheat core collection of 566 accessions, we applied image-based phenotyping to quantify key grain traits, in this case the width, length, area, perimeter, aspect ratio, circularity, roundness, and skewness.

Monitoring Carbon Stock Change at the Individual-Plant Scale: A Methodological Review and Integrative Framework ↗

With increasing demand for fine-scale ecological management under carbon neutrality frameworks, multi-temporal assessment of carbon stock change (ΔC) at the individual-plant scale has become essential for understanding plant-level carbon dynamics and supporting management decisions. However, methodologies for repeated monitoring at this scale remain fragmented, showing limited cross-temporal comparability, weak cross-scale consistency, and insufficient integration across methods. Existing approaches can be grouped into three pathways: (i) process-based methods derived from CO2 exchange measurements, (ii) state-based approaches estimating biomass and ΔC, and (iii) sensing-based approaches using structural, spectral, thermal, and fluorescence signals. These approaches offer complementary strengths, yet none simultaneously achieve high accuracy, temporal continuity, and operational scalability for multi-temporal ΔC estimation. Among these, stock-based and structural approaches form the primary estimation pathways, while flux-based and functional sensing methods provide complementary constraints. This review synthesizes and compares these approaches in terms of their theoretical basis, spatial support, temporal characteristics, and uncertainty structures. To address the lack of methodological integration, we propose a structure–function–scale framework that links heterogeneous observations across spatial and temporal domains and emphasizes cross-scale consistency as a prerequisite for reliable ΔC estimation. Within this framework, we further examine how multi-source integration can connect structural and functional observations through segmentation, co-registration, scaling, temporal alignment, and uncertainty propagation. By integrating traditional measurement logic with emerging remote sensing technologies, this review provides a unified methodological framework for ΔC estimation and identifies key directions for advancing fine-scale carbon monitoring, spatiotemporally consistent data fusion, uncertainty-aware inference, and MRV-oriented verification systems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods個体植物スケールの炭素蓄積変化を推定するための測定・センシング・統合手法を体系的に比較し、セグメンテーションや不確実性伝播を含む統合枠組みを提案する方法論レビューであり、植物状態の取得・推定が中心である。

abstractmethodologies for repeated monitoring at this scale remain fragmented

The 2D and 3D ultrastructure of symbiosomes and associated vesicular structures in Lotus japonicus root nodule symbiosis ↗

In root nodule symbiosis, symbiosome compartments accommodate nitrogen-fixing rhizobia inside the plant cell. Differentiated into bacteroids, the rhizobia are surrounded by a peribacteroid space and a plant-derived peribacteroid membrane, which separates them from the plant cytoplasm but allows signal and nutrient exchange between host and microbe. The morphological features of symbiosomes are primarily determined by ultrastructural single focal plane imaging, with limited information about spatial details. This study combines 2D and 3D imaging, using transmission electron microscopy and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy as complementary techniques to analyse the symbiosome ultrastructure and organisation in Lotus japonicus wild-type plants. The 3D model of a mature colonised root nodule cell region demonstrates a dense, puzzle-like arrangement of symbiosomes relative to one another and adjacent plant organelles. The symbiosome shape and size depends on the orientation and number of bacteroids within the compartment and features connective tubular structures. Furthermore, vesicular structures, some likely of bacterial origin, were present at the interface. The study presents a multi-angled analysis of symbiosome-related structures, highlighting their volumes, spatial distribution, and pronounced compactness. Interface associated vesicles, protrusions and connective structures hint towards a dynamic and flexible system that contributes to the plant-microbe crosstalk.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物根粒内の共生体の形態・体積・空間分布を、2D/3D電子顕微鏡で解析することが研究の中心であり、植物組織の構造的表現型を取得する方法論的応用に該当する。

abstractThis study combines 2D and 3D imaging, using transmission electron microscopy and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy as complementary techniques to analyse the symbiosome ultrastructure and organisation in Lotus japonicus wild-type plants.

Rice LAI estimation using UAV-based multi-parameter fusion at the booting stage. ↗