Plant phenotyping methods.

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、根の発達と根圏酸化を時系列・個体別に定量化しており、表現型取得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.

Root-TransUNet enables high-throughput phenotyping of Arabidopsis thaliana roots as a parameter in Heterodera schachtii parasitism →

Introduction Plant parasitism by sedentary plant-parasitic nematodes is a dynamic and continuously evolving process, accompanied by profound remodelling of host root system architecture across distinct infection stages. However, the physiology and anisotropic growth of Arabidopsis thaliana roots under Heterodera schachtii infection, together with complex lateral root proliferation and increasingly dense, overlapping morphology, pose substantial challenges for accurate image segmentation. Methods Here, we introduce Root-TransUNet, an optimised segmentation architecture that extends TransUNet by incorporating a composite loss function to improve boundary precision and structural continuity, as well as dual-stage strip-pooling (SP) modules to enhance elongated and directional root features. These adaptations address the unique morphological complexity of the infected root system. Additionally, we integrated Root-TransUNet into a high-throughput phenotyping pipeline and applied it to an existing dataset of ~120,000 images of 362 A. thaliana MAGIC recombinant inbred lines collected over several months of infection. By extracting root system architecture traits, including root surface area and estimated root volume across infection stages, we enabled stage-specific association analyses between host root growth and nematode performance across these genotypes. Results Root-TransUNet achieved strong segmentation performance, demonstrating improved structural continuity and boundary precision compared with widely used CNN- and Transformer-based baselines, including UNet++. Stage-specific analyses revealed that the relationship between host root traits and nematode performance changed as infection progressed. During establishment, nematode number was largely independent of initial root size and varied strongly among genotypes, whereas during the reproductive phase (10-30 dpi), greater root expansion coincided with reduced estimated nematode volume accumulation. Notably, nematode burden was largely independent of host root size before infection, indicating that root quantity was generally not a limiting factor for infection in this experiment. Discussion These results demonstrate that Root-TransUNet can robustly segment infected root systems across a wide range of nematode infection densities, providing a scalable image-analysis framework for studying plant-parasitic nematode parasitism in combination with host root phenotyping.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods感染根系の画像セグメンテーション手法を開発し、高スループット表現型解析パイプラインに統合して根系形態形質を抽出しており、表現型取得・抽出法が中心的である。

abstractHere, we introduce Root-TransUNet, an optimised segmentation architecture that extends TransUNet by incorporating a composite loss function to improve boundary precision and structural continuity, as well as dual-stage strip-pooling (SP) modules to enhance elongated and directional root features.

BioIMA: a one-click desktop tool for standardized extraction of phenotypic traits from biological images →

Standardized extraction of quantitative phenotypes from images is increasingly important across plant biology, from ecological and evolutionary studies to genetics, breeding, and functional genomics. However, as large image datasets are increasingly used for trait analysis, many biologically relevant traits, including size, shape, color, and spatial patterning, are still measured manually or using fragmented semi-automated workflows. These limitations reduce throughput, reproducibility, and accessibility, especially for researchers without computational expertise. Here, we present BioIMA, an open-source desktop tool for rapid and standardized phenotyping from biological images. BioIMA integrates foundation model-based segmentation with automated trait computation, allowing users to extract quantitative measurements from images through an intuitive graphical interface and without model training. To validate its performance, we quantified a set of knot morphological traits in two Populus species, as these measurements are typically time-consuming to perform manually. Automatic measurements showed strong agreement with manual ImageJ-based measurements (R2 > 0.95), while reducing per-image processing time by approximately 75% (from ~15 s to ~4 s). BioIMA was further applied to diverse plant datasets, including Helianthus and Rhododendron images with varying morphologies and background conditions. Although developed for plant phenotyping, BioIMA may also be extended to other biological samples where region-based size, shape, or color traits are of interest. By combining accessibility and standardization in a lightweight local application, BioIMA provides a practical community resource for image-based phenotyping in ecological and evolutionary studies.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物画像から形態形質を自動抽出するツールの開発と、手動測定との性能検証が中心であるため。

abstractHere, we present BioIMA, an open-source desktop tool for rapid and standardized phenotyping from biological images.

A methodological framework for the standardised evaluation of olive genetic resources: GEN4OLIVE harmonized protocols →

Background Olive ( Olea europaea L.) breeding initiatives rely heavily on the extensive and correct characterisation of genetic resources to successfully achieve their goals, such as addressing climate change and emerging diseases challenges. However, the historical lack of standardised phenotyping protocols across multi-environment trials has severely hindered data interoperability and large-scale comparative analyses. Methods Within the Horizon 2020 GEN4OLIVE project, five international olive germplasm banks established a consensus-based methodological framework to systematically evaluate over 500 olive cultivars. We harmonised 14 evaluation protocols covering six fundamental dimensions: phenological and agronomic traits, abiotic stress resilience, biotic stress resilience, olive oil yield and chemical quality, table olive quality assessment, and morphological characterisation and photography. While most protocols were adapted from previously published literature to ensure ease of implementation across different facilities, novel methodologies for frost tolerance and standardised photography were developed de novo. Results The implementation of these consensus methods across five countries proved highly successful. This methodological framework enabled the generation of the largest harmonised, publicly available dataset on olive genetic resources to date, effectively making possible the correct comparation and ranking of the olive cultivars based on their specific characteristics. Conclusions This compendium of methods provides a robust, highly replicable reference point for the standardisation of olive germplasm characterisation and use of shared benchmark cultivars as an effective way for data normalization and comparation. It facilitates future global pre-breeding efforts, ensures international data interoperability, and supports the discovery of resilient cultivars to secure the future of the olive sector.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsオリーブ遺伝資源の標準化フェノタイピングプロトコルを体系化し、複数機関で実装・検証して大規模データセットを生成した方法論中心の研究である。

abstractthe historical lack of standardised phenotyping protocols across multi-environment trials has severely hindered data interoperability and large-scale comparative analyses.

Improving pear fruit quality without yield loss through 3D point cloud-based estimation of reasonable fruit load →

Fruit quality is a critical determinant of economic returns in pear production, and maintaining an appropriate fruit load (FL) is essential for achieving high yield and quality. As a direct indicator of canopy photosynthetic capacity and assimilate supply, leaf number constitutes the key biological basis of reasonable FL determination under the leaf-to-fruit ratio concept. However, accurate and efficient estimation of leaf number in mature pear trees remains technically challenging, limiting its practical use in precision FL regulation. Here, we propose a data-driven framework for leaf number and reasonable FL estimation by integrating 3D point cloud-derived canopy structure with machine learning. A pipeline for extracting 3D architectural traits was developed and implemented in the software tool FTPCT, enabling rapid and standardized trait acquisition. Through correlation analysis, multicollinearity diagnosis, and variance inflation factor screening, five key traits strongly associated with leaf number were identified and incorporated into five machine learning models optimized using Bayesian optimization. Among them, the optimized random forest regression model achieved the highest and most stable performance, with R 2 of 0.85, RMSE of 239.74, and MAE of 149.26 for test dataset. SHAP analysis identified tree crown volume as the dominant contributor to leaf number estimation. Field validation demonstrated that FL regulation guided by the proposed framework significantly improved fruit weight and size without reducing yield compared with conventional practices. Notably, the proposed approach avoids explicit leaf-level reconstruction and relies on less canopy-scale traits, substantially reducing data requirements and computational cost, and thereby offering strong potential for rapid, field-deployable FL regulation in large-scale orchards.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3D点群から樹冠構造形質を抽出し、葉数と適正着果量を推定する手法およびソフトウェアを開発・検証しており、植物表現型取得が中心である。

abstractA pipeline for extracting 3D architectural traits was developed and implemented in the software tool FTPCT, enabling rapid and standardized trait acquisition.

Democratizing three-dimensional surface phenotyping: an open structured-light platform reveals and removes the projection bias in biological imaging →

Surface phenotyping underpins plant science, preclinical animal research and entomology, yet across all three the measurement is almost always a photograph, which records a projection and not the surface itself. Here we present the Gentschinator3000 , an open structured-light platform that brings high-end metric surface measurement within reach of laboratories with no optics expertise, combining documented open hardware, open reconstruction software and analysis workflows for under 4000 Euro in components. It resolves a planar reference to 45 µm local flatness, registers full rotations to a loop closure of 156 µm, and performs stably across acquisition ranges that we define. Applying one workflow to a leaf before and after desiccation, to murine anatomy and to a spread lepidopteran, we find that projection underestimates surface area by 11 to 41 %. That error grows with the condition under study, with the evaluation scale and with the direction of view, so it can confound phenotype comparisons dramatically. In murine limbs a 15-degree change of viewing direction shifts a projected inter-segment angle by up to 23.2 degrees, while the three-dimensional angle does not move. Projection geometry can therefore contribute as much to a measured phenotype as the biology it is meant to quantify.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物表面の三次元形状を測定するオープンな構造化光プラットフォームと再構成・解析ワークフローを開発し、葉で投影バイアスを評価しており、表現型取得手法が中心である。

abstractHere we present the Gentschinator3000 , an open structured-light platform that brings high-end metric surface measurement within reach of laboratories with no optics expertise, combining documented open hardware, open reconstruction software and analysis workflows for under 4000 Euro in components.

Denoising-Aware Temporal Point Cloud Completion for 3D Crop Architecture Recovery and Phenotypic Trait Extraction →

High-throughput phenotyping depends on accurate 3D reconstruction of plants across growth stages, yet the development and evaluation of temporal completion methods are limited by the lack of datasets with complete geometric ground truth. To address this challenge, we introduce SynthCrop4D, a procedurally generated synthetic dataset of temporally evolving plant point clouds that provides controllable noise, occlusion, and complete plant geometry for benchmarking reconstruction methods. Using this dataset, we evaluate a two-stage pipeline that combines spatial denoising and temporal point cloud completion. First, a denoising module removes structural artifacts from raw laser-scanned point clouds. The resulting data are then processed by an Adaptive Temporal PoinTr model that reconstructs the current growth stage (t) using information from the previous stage (t-1), enabling recovery of regions missing due to self-occlusion. We evaluate the proposed framework on both SynthCrop4D and the real-world Pheno4D dataset (tomato and maize) under settings with and without denoising. Results show that denoising substantially improves reconstruction quality, with the best configuration achieving a Chamfer Distance of 0.0061 on SynthCrop4D (Temporal PoinTr + Mamba-DG) and an F-Score of 0.2080 on Pheno4D (Vanilla PoinTr + Mamba-DG). We further demonstrate the use of completed point clouds for phenotypic trait extraction, including plant height, canopy width, and convex hull volume, obtaining hull-volume MAEs of 0.021 on synthetic data and 0.343 on real data. Together, SynthCrop4D and the proposed pipeline provide a benchmark and methodology for temporal plant reconstruction and high-throughput crop phenotyping.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の3D点群再構成・時系列補完を開発し、合成データセットと実データで性能検証するとともに、草丈・群落幅・凸包体積を抽出する手法を中心に扱っている。

abstractwe introduce SynthCrop4D, a procedurally generated synthetic dataset of temporally evolving plant point clouds that provides controllable noise, occlusion, and complete plant geometry for benchmarking reconstruction methods.

Introducing entropy-based metrics for quantifying edge- and macro-shape complexity in leaves and beyond →

ABSTRACT Leaf shape is a fundamental trait of plant ecological strategies, influencing biotic interactions and ecosystem functioning. However, established quantitative metrics fail to capture subtle variations and irregularities, require user-based reference points or are challenging to compare among taxa with broadly different leaf shapes. In addition, established metrics typically conflate (aggregate) leaf edge complexity and macro-shape complexity, despite their independent functional significance and genetic foundations. Here, we introduce an entropy-based framework to quantify two new complexity metrics: edge complexity and macro-shape complexity. Based on three case studies, we show that these metrics outperform aggregate metrics in predicting Quercus robur chemical traits, provide more intuitive interspecific classifications, and strongly align with human perception. In addition, edge and macro-shape complexity show high complementarity, while aggregate metrics are highly redundant and typically strongly related to leaf area. Emerging as the strongest predictor of leaf chemistry and key visual cue for complexity as perceived by humans, the effects of edge complexity highlight the under-appreciated functional significance of leaf margins. Our framework and the proposed entropy-based complexity metrics thus promise to help unlock the potential of growing digital image archives of leaves, including images from herbaria and fossils, and are technically readily applicable to shapes of algae, bacteria, pollen, and beyond. The accompanying package ShapeComplexity enables the broad application of entropy-based metrics, providing a powerful tool to explore how the shape of organisms and biological structures influences ecological strategies, biotic interactions, and ecosystem functioning while tracking spatial and temporal variation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods葉の画像からエッジ複雑性とマクロ形状複雑性を定量化する新規指標とソフトウェアを開発しており、植物形質抽出法が研究の中心である。

abstractHere, we introduce an entropy-based framework to quantify two new complexity metrics: edge complexity and macro-shape complexity.

Unsupervised machine-learning identifies latent pyrenoid states linked to mitotic remodeling defects and CO2-dependent growth →

Biomolecular condensates that persist through cell division must be reorganized and inherited, yet it remains unclear whether subtle defects before division are associated with later organelle or growth phenotypes. We examined the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii pyrenoid, a liquid-like condensate that concentrates ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), the photosynthetic CO2-fixing enzyme. As part of the algal CO2-concentrating mechanism, the pyrenoid raises CO2 availability around Rubisco. We generated an RBCS1-mGold Rubisco reporter and developed an unsupervised image-analysis pipeline combining a convolutional autoencoder and a one-class support vector machine. Using 4,905 wild-type single-cell images, augmented 22-fold to 107,910 image instances, we defined the range of normal pyrenoid morphology. A combined machine-learning and visual screen of approximately 21,000 insertional mutants yielded 17 pyrenoid integrity mutants (pim1-pim17). Differential reconstruction-error maps highlighted local deviations from the wild-type reference, including phenotypes difficult to classify by eye. Four-dimensional live imaging showed defects in matrix dispersal, partitioning of Rubisco-containing foci, or pyrenoid recondensation in multiple pim strains. Growth assays identified broad defects and phenotypes that became more apparent as CO2 supply decreased. Insertion-site mapping nominated candidate loci, including STT7, which encodes a chloroplast kinase best known for regulating photosynthetic light harvesting. Independent STT7-edited lines lacked detectable STT7 accumulation and showed pyrenoid-region reconstruction-error patterns, supporting an association between impaired STT7 function and altered pyrenoid morphology. These findings show that unsupervised image screening can extend forward genetics to subtle pyrenoid phenotypes accompanied by mitotic remodeling or growth defects.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods藻類細胞のピレノイド形態を対象に、画像解析と教師なし機械学習パイプラインを開発し、正常範囲の定義・変異体スクリーニング・検出性能の実証を行っており、表現型取得手法が研究の中心である。

abstractdeveloped an unsupervised image-analysis pipeline combining a convolutional autoencoder and a one-class support vector machine

Automated Segmentation and Quantitative Analysis of Cotton Fiber Cross Sections Using a Deep Learning-Based Workflow →

Abstract Cross-sectional analysis is considered the reference method for measuring cotton fiber fineness and maturity; however, its widespread use has been limited by labor-intensive sample preparation and manual image analysis. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a reproducible deep-learning-based workflow for automated segmentation and quantitative analysis of cotton fiber cross-sections. A total of 249 composite light microscopy images of cotton fiber cross-sections were collected and manually annotated to generate training and validation datasets. A YOLO11m instance segmentation model was developed to identify cotton fiber and lumen regions and automatically extract quantitative traits, including fiber area, lumen area, fiber perimeter, and lumen perimeter. The workflow integrates automated image segmentation, post-processing, quantitative trait extraction, and data export to facilitate reproducible cotton fiber phenotyping. Model performance was evaluated using mean Average Precision (mAP), and workflow outputs were validated against Adobe Photoshop using descriptive comparisons of six cross-sectional traits. The model achieved Box mAP50 scores of 0.984 for cotton fiber regions and 0.789 for lumen regions, demonstrating high segmentation accuracy. The automated workflow substantially reduced manual analysis time while producing measurements with central tendencies comparable to those obtained using Adobe Photoshop. To facilitate reproducibility and adoption, the workflow, trained model weights, and supporting documentation are publicly available through GitHub and a Hugging Face web application. The workflow substantially increases analytical throughput while providing a reproducible and publicly accessible method for automated cotton fiber cross-sectional phenotyping, facilitating quantitative analysis for cotton genetics and breeding research.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods綿繊維横断面の画像分割、形質抽出、検証を目的とした再現可能な深層学習ワークフローの開発であり、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThe objective of this study was to develop and validate a reproducible deep-learning-based workflow for automated segmentation and quantitative analysis of cotton fiber cross-sections.

A distributed segmentation strategy developed for three-dimensional leaf trait quantification of tomato plants. →

Leaf parameters are crucial indicators reflecting the growing status of plants. Monitoring and analysis of leaf parameters significantly contributes to the improvement of crop yield and food quality. This study focused on three tomato plant varieties commonly grown in the Netherlands and proposed a fully automatic pipeline for leaf phenotyping. Three-dimensional (3D) point clouds of target plants were acquired with a specially designed imaging unit naming Maxi-Marvin. A semantic segmentation of plant organs was performed with PointNet++ model. To mitigate point cloud resolution decrement, the down-sampling operation in the baseline model was replaced with a distributed segmentation strategy. Leaf instances were further identified with Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN), followed by a morphological phenotypic trait quantification based on 3D geometrical analysis. Target phenotypic traits including leaf length, leaf width, and leaf area. The evaluation results indicated that the distributed segmentation strategy achieved the best F 1 scores of 0.98 with block size set to 30,000. The Mean Average Errors (MAE) of leaf length, leaf width, and leaf area estimation were 2.09 cm, 1.78 cm and 8.98 cm 2 respectively. The estimation accuracies for leaf length, leaf width, and leaf area were 91.98%, 92.66%, and 89.67%, respectively.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsトマト葉の3D画像取得、器官セグメンテーション、葉インスタンス識別、形態形質推定を統合した自動フェノタイピング手法を開発・評価しており、方法が研究の中心です。

abstractproposed a fully automatic pipeline for leaf phenotyping

Application of the OliveID morphometric tool for the identification of archaeobotanical carbonized olive endocarps: evidence for morphological continuity with the modern Throumbolia cultivar. →

Introduction This study evaluates the applicability of digital morphometric analysis to images of archaeological carbonized olive endocarps as a proof-of-concept initial approach for archaeobotanical investigations. Conventional morphometric analyses of olive endocarps largely rely on manual measurements, limiting reproducibility and quantitative comparison. Methods Ten archaeological endocarps were selected from previously published archaeological assemblages based on the integrity of their outlines, apex-base morphology and overall preservation quality. Quantitative descriptors describing endocarp size, symmetry, curvature and contour geometry were extracted using the OliveID software and compared with a modern morphometric reference database comprising Greek and international olive cultivars. Results Reliable contour extraction and quantitative descriptor computation were successfully achieved for all archaeological specimens despite carbonization. Preliminary comparison of representative morphometric descriptors showed that the archaeological specimens were positioned within the morphometric variation observed among the modern reference collection. Hierarchical clustering consistently associated the archaeological endocarps with the modern Throumbolia morphotype, while distinguishing them from elongated, globular and mucro-bearing cultivars. Discussion These findings demonstrate the feasibility of applying digital image-based morphometric analysis to sufficiently preserved archaeological carbonized olive endocarps and indicate a similar morphometric affinity between the analyzed archaeological material and the modern Throumbolia cultivar. This proof-of-concept study highlights the potential of digital morphometric approaches for quantitative archaeobotanical investigations of archaeological olive remains, while emphasizing the need for larger archaeological datasets and standardized image acquisition to further validate the observed morphometric similarity.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsOliveIDを用いて炭化オリーブ内果皮の輪郭からサイズ、対称性、曲率、形状記述子を抽出し、デジタル画像形態計測の適用可能性と再現性を評価している。植物器官の形質抽出法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study evaluates the applicability of digital morphometric analysis to images of archaeological carbonized olive endocarps as a proof-of-concept initial approach for archaeobotanical investigations.

Optimizing resource allocation in Miscanthus breeding via sparse testing designs for genomic prediction. →

Phenotyping high-biomass perennial crops is laborious and the rate of genetic gain in conventional perennial crop breeding programs is typically low. So, it is especially important to identify methods that produce efficiency gains in the breeding process. Miscanthus is a C4 perennial grass with favorable characteristics for producing biomass as a feedstock for biofuels and diverse bio-based products. Increasing biomass yield will increase profitability and environmental benefits, so it is a key target for Miscanthus breeding. In addition, the identification of well-adapted genotypes across a wide range of environmental conditions requires the establishment of multi-environment trials (METs). Sparse testing is a genomic prediction-based strategy that reduces the phenotyping costs in METs by selecting a subset of genotypes to evaluate in a subset of environments and then predicts the performance of the unobserved genotype-environment combinations. A Miscanthus sacchariflorus (MSA) population comprising 336 genotypes observed across three environments was analyzed implementing sparse testing designs. Three prediction models considering main effects (environments, genotypes, genomic) and interaction effects (genotype-by-environment; G×E interaction) were implemented for forecasting dry biomass yield (YDY), total culm (TCM), average internode length (AIL), and culm node number (CNN). Multiple calibration sets based on different compositions and sizes were considered to evaluate performance in terms of the predictive ability (PA) and the mean square error (MSE) for a fixed testing set size. The training set size ranged from 52 to 112 to predict a fixed set of 224 unobserved genotypes across all three environments. The results showed that the model accounting for G×E interaction consistently presented the highest PA and the lowest MSE: for CNN (PA: ~0.77, MSE: ~0.5) and YDY (PA: ~0.70, MSE: ~1.3) while for TCM and AIL these ranged from ~0.28 to 0.41 and ~1.3 to 4.3, respectively. Overall, varying training sets and allocation strategies did not affect PA and MSE, with 52 non-overlapping and 0 overlapping genotypes per environment as the optimal cost-effective allocation framework. This suggests that implementing sparse testing designs could significantly reduce phenotyping costs by fivefold, without compromising PA in breeding programs for perennial crops such as Miscanthus .

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsスパーステスト設計とゲノム予測を用いて、複数環境での植物形質予測と表現型測定コスト削減を評価しており、表現型取得・予測手法が研究の中心である。

abstractSparse testing is a genomic prediction-based strategy that reduces the phenotyping costs in METs by selecting a subset of genotypes to evaluate in a subset of environments and then predicts the performance of the unobserved genotype-environment combinations.

To Explore the Utility of Leaf Morphological, Color, and Chlorophyll Traits in Assessing Inter-Cultivar Variations Among Six Tea Plant Cultivars. →

Reliable traits are needed for identification of tea ( Camellia sinensis ) cultivars, yet the stability of leaf morphology and color across leaf positions remains unclear. This study evaluated inter-cultivar variation and positional stability in leaf morphological, RGB color, and SPAD traits in six predominant cultivars. One-year-old shoots were sampled in a completely randomized design, and five fully expanded leaves below the apical bud were analyzed. SPAD values were measured with a chlorophyll meter, and scanned images were used to extract contour and RGB traits. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, correlation analysis, PCA, and discriminant analysis. Leaf morphology differed among cultivars and leaf positions, with significant cultivar-by-position interactions; however, the width-to-length ratio differed among cultivars but remained stable across positions in these cultivars. SPAD values increased with leaf position and were strongly associated with RGB components, being negatively correlated with R and G and positively correlated with B. Morphological traits explained 52.988% of total variance in PCA and yielded 64.6% overall classification accuracy, with LaoHan showing the highest accuracy (83.3%). Misclassification was concentrated among genetically similar cultivars. These findings suggest that stable leaf shape proportions and SPAD-RGB relationships provide useful descriptors, whereas genetic relatedness limits morphology-based cultivar identification under the present conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods茶品種識別のため、葉の形態・RGB・SPAD特性の取得と安定性、分類性能を中心に評価しており、画像由来形質抽出を含む実質的な表現型解析である。

abstractscanned images were used to extract contour and RGB traits

Morphological characteristics and optimized protocols for in vitro germination and viability testing of Idesia polycarpa Maxim. Pollen. →

Idesia polycarpa Maxim. is a premier woody oil species in Guizhou Province, China, whose fruit yield and oil quality largely depend on effective pollination and fertilization. However, limited research on pollen viability and germination has hindered industrial progress. To address this gap, a comprehensive evaluation framework for elite I. polycarpa germplasm was developed, integrating micromorphological analysis, optimized staining protocols, and in vitro germination assay. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that I. polycarpa pollen, while genetically conserved at the genus level-characterized by prolate shapes, tricolporate apertures, and reticulate exine ornamentation-exhibits notable micromorphological variation among genotypes. Of the nine staining protocols tested (2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride [TTC], carbol fuchsin, acetocarmine, methylene blue, Alexander, peroxidase, 2,5-diphenylmonotetrazolium bromide [MTT], I2-KI, and red ink), TTC and red ink were the most effective, offering clear chromatic distinction between viable and non-viable pollen. Through orthogonal experimental designs, genotype-specific optimal media for in vitro germination were identified: 0.40 g/L H3BO3, 0.01 g/L KNO3, 0.02 g/L Ca(NO3)2·4H2O, and 0.20 g/L KH2PO4 for STZ-6; and 0.20 g/L H3BO3, 0.02 g/L KNO3, 0.02 g/L Ca(NO3)2·4H2O, and 0.10 g/L KH2PO4 for STZ-9. Regression analysis confirmed a highly significant positive correlation (P < 0.01) between in vitro germination rates and the staining results from both TTC and red ink across various concentrations. Notably, 5% TTC and 30% red ink exhibited the highest coefficients of determination. A hierarchical evaluation strategy is thus proposed: the 5% TTC method is recommended for precise laboratory quantification due to its stability, while the 30% red ink method, due to its ease of use, is suited for rapid field-based screening. This study provides valuable insights into the morphological characteristics of I. polycarpa pollen and establishes a standardized evaluation framework, supporting germplasm innovation and optimizing pollination management.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods花粉の生存性・発芽という植物の生殖形質を対象に、染色法とin vitro発芽法を最適化・検証し、標準化した評価フレームワークを開発しているため、方法論が中心である。

abstracta comprehensive evaluation framework for elite I. polycarpa germplasm was developed, integrating micromorphological analysis, optimized staining protocols, and in vitro germination assay.

Non-destructive quantification of shoot apical meristem homeostasis for prediction of plant architecture and biomass using robot-based 3D imaging and photosynthesis measurements →

Shoot apical meristem (SAM) homeostasis integrates environmental and genetic cues to regulate growth dynamics that drive biomass accumulation and crop yield; however, no robust, non-destructive, quantitative proxy has been established for modeling or monitoring SAM-homeostasis-associated dynamics. Here, we developed a novel robot-based 3D imaging system and a custom pot-chamber gas exchange system to non-destructively measure plant occupation volume (POV) and whole-plant photosynthetic rate in wild-type Arabidopsis plants and nine mutants with disrupted SAM homeostasis. We demonstrate that POV robustly captures 3D plant architecture, whereas whole-plant photosynthetic rate serves as a superior proxy for optimal growth dynamics and final biomass associated with SAM homeostasis, outperforming conventional traits such as leaf number, leaf size, total leaf area, and rosette diameter. The strong positive correlations among POV, whole plant photosynthesis, and biomass accumulation establish a powerful new framework for quantitative studies of SAM homeostasis and data-driven evaluation of plant architecture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsロボット3D画像とカスタムガス交換による非破壊的な植物形態・光合成表現型測定系を開発し、従来形質との比較検証も行っており、方法が研究の中心である。

abstractwe developed a novel robot-based 3D imaging system and a custom pot-chamber gas exchange system to non-destructively measure plant occupation volume (POV) and whole-plant photosynthetic rate

A novel approach for tropism characterisation through point cloud analysis →

Background: Tropism, an adaptive growth mechanism often completely overlooked in tree phenotyping studies, is a crucial aspect of tree growth that allows them to reconfigure geometrically in relation to their immediate environment. This study introduces an integrated method to quantify tropic behaviour in plant phenotyping studies. Methods: The methodology combines cost-effective three-dimensional (3D) photogrammetric data capture from video, stem delineation techniques and 3D mathematical modelling of posture control for model-assisted identification of tropism traits. The proposed method was tested on a Pinus radiata D.Don. seedling subjected to a gravitational stimulus for 75 days. Stem posture was repeatedly measured using both 3D photogrammetry and fixed photography to create multitemporal 3D datasets and two-dimensional (2D) reference curves. Results: Individual 3D stem curves reconstructed with the proposed methodology introduced an error on spatial coordinates with a normalised RMSD ranging from 1.6 to 4.3% depending on time of capture, when compared with the 2D reference. The error for local tilt angle was higher than the error on spatial coordinates, with RMSD ranging between 5.6–12.2°, as expected for a first-order derivative. The gravitropic coefficient, capturing the sensing of and the reaction to local inclination by the plant, was underestimated by 2% if compared to the reference methodology. No contribution of autotropism (tendency to remain straight) was identified using the new methodology, but that contribution was found to be small using the 2D-approach and likely a key aspect of the gravitropic signature in the studied species. The major challenge with the proposed point cloud-based methodology arose from automated stem delineation. With dedicated algorithm enhancements to address stem occlusion in juvenile conifers and with more regular captures during plant motion, the proposed method could, however, perform identically to the 2D reference methodology. Overall, recovery of tropism traits performed equivalently whether using 2D or 3D data to fit the model of posture control. The minor discrepancies with experimental behaviour originated from fitting a simple kinematic model to complex real-world behaviour rather than data capture and digitising procedures. Conclusions: Overall, the proposed methodology, in its current form, offers a viable alternative to traditional 2D imagery methods at the cost of a small reduction in accuracy and capture time. The advantage of the 3D methodology is that it has the potential to track motion in multiple planes, whilst also measuring plant structure. With refinement, this methodology could be streamlined and adapted for deployment in field and operational environments at scale for phenotyping studies.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3Dフォトグラメトリ、茎の自動抽出、点群解析、姿勢モデルを統合し、植物の屈性形質を定量化・検証する方法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study introduces an integrated method to quantify tropic behaviour in plant phenotyping studies.

Drones detect fine-scale vegetation structure across cover types and disturbance histories →

Introduction: Habitat restoration is necessary for the conservation and management of plant and animal species, especially in rare ecosystems. Drones may be well-suited to monitor changes in plant and animal communities in response to restoration efforts. The objective of the study was to examine whether drone imagery can detect differences in vegetation across multiple contexts. Materials and methods: Using a commercially available drone, I captured and processed aerial imagery with an open-source photogrammetric processing program. Point cloud data were processed to generate a vegetation density index, which was quantified across four cover types and compared between disturbance histories. In addition, using automated radio tracking, I compared vegetation density between used and available locations for Eastern Whip-poor-wills during the day and at night. Results: In August 2024, a drone flight covering a 3.05 km2 area of pine barrens captured 3372 images. Vegetation density differed by cover type (p = 0.001) and was greater in recently disturbed sites (p = 0.002). Scrub oak and recently burned sites had ~30% and ~12% greater vegetation density than deciduous forests and plots > 2 years post-disturbance, respectively. Vegetation density was lower at Eastern Whip-poor-will used locations than at available locations (151.0 vs. 159.7 points/m2, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Analysis of fine-scale differences in vegetation structure was important in discriminating subtle differences in habitat selection for Eastern Whip-poor-wills. This study demonstrated that drones and relatively simple image processing can be practical tools for restoration when quantifying and monitoring vegetation differences in dynamic ecosystems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsドローン画像と点群処理により植生密度・植生構造を定量化する手法を中心に、異なる植生条件での適用性を評価しているため、植物表現型計測の方法適用研究に該当する。

abstractPoint cloud data were processed to generate a vegetation density index, which was quantified across four cover types and compared between disturbance histories.

UNet-ECA-Bio: a biologically informed deep learning model for high-throughput micro-phenotyping of rice stem vascular bundles. →

Rice stem internal structure is a critical micro-phenotype influencing lodging resistance and yield; however, its analysis remains constrained by labor-intensive manual methods. Here, we present a publicly available dataset of 686 rice stem cross-sections, with 21,027 large vascular bundles (LVBs) and 19,342 small vascular bundles (SVBs) manually annotated. Five deep learning architectures were systematically evaluated, among which UNet-VGG16 achieved the best performance with a mean intersection over union (mIoU) of 87.4% (82.49% for LVBs and 74.41% for SVBs). An improved model, UNet-ECA-Bio, further raised mIoU to 89.32% and SVB IoU to 78.97% by integrating Efficient Channel Attention (ECA) and biologically informed class weighting using an image-level dataset. Leveraging these high-accuracy phenotypic predictions, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) indicated concordance between annotated and predicted traits, with SNP overlap rates of 96% (LVB count: 1,217/1,262), 43% (SVB count: 6/14), 98% (stem area: 122/124), and 100% (cavity area: 3/3) at −log10(p) ≥ 6. Meanwhile, compared with manual annotation (estimated 10–30 minutes per image), the proposed approach processed all 686 images within 10 minutes, representing a >600-fold increase in throughput. We further developed a user-friendly software tool, “Rice_Stem_Pre_V1.1.exe,” for automated phenotyping of 14 stem traits, providing a cost-effective platform for genetic studies of lodging resistance and yield improvement.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsイネ茎維管束の画像から複数の表現型形質を自動抽出する深層学習モデル、データセット、検証、ソフトウェアを中心的に開発しており、明確な植物フェノタイピング手法研究である。

abstractwe present a publicly available dataset of 686 rice stem cross-sections, with 21,027 large vascular bundles (LVBs) and 19,342 small vascular bundles (SVBs) manually annotated.

Garryanalyzer: A morphometric workflow and open-source ImageJ plug-in for quantitative morphological analysis of Pacific Northwest Quercus leaves. →

Premise Accurate species identification is crucial for ecological restoration and can be especially challenging for understudied non-model species. Quercus garryana is the only native oak species in the Pacific Northwest and is an important component of the endangered oak savanna ecosystem. Quercus robur is an imported ornamental species from Europe and has been found to be mistakenly planted as Q. garryana in habitat restoration projects. Methods We measured leaf morphological traits sampled from herbarium collections in their native ranges using the digital morphometric tools MorphoLeaf and Tomato Analyzer. We then used Lasso logistic analysis to generate a predictive model and tested it on leaves from Portland, Oregon. To streamline this species detection process, we developed Garryanalyzer, an ImageJ plug-in that automatically measures leaf traits and outputs species predictions. Results Garryanalyzer demonstrated 95% accuracy in predicting the species identity of herbarium specimens of oaks. Garryanalyzer correctly identified all Q. robur individuals sampled in Portland but showed lower accuracy for Q. garryana . Discussion Many existing morphometric software are not open source, which makes them unable to be customized to specific study systems. Garryanalyzer is built upon the widely used open-source ImageJ platform. This study also demonstrates a viable workflow for developing similar tools for other ecologically important non-model plant species.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods葉の形態形質を自動測定し、種予測まで行うImageJプラグインとワークフローの開発・評価が中心であり、植物フェノタイピング手法として適格です。

abstractTo streamline this species detection process, we developed Garryanalyzer, an ImageJ plug-in that automatically measures leaf traits and outputs species predictions.

MatchPlant: An Open-Source Pipeline for UAV-Based Single-Plant Detection from Undistorted Images with Orthomosaic Projection →

Accurate identification of individual plants from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery is essential for high-throughput phenotyping and data-driven decision-making in plant breeding. This study presents MatchPlant, a modular, open-source Python pipeline with a graphical user interface for UAV-based single-plant detection and geospatial trait extraction. The pipeline integrates UAV image processing, user-guided annotation of selected undistorted images, convolutional neural network–based object-detection training, forward projection of bounding boxes onto an orthomosaic, and shapefile generation for spatial phenotypic analysis. This workflow preserves native image geometry during detection while maintaining coordinate traceability from source imagery to georeferenced outputs. Across five independent training runs using early-season maize imagery, MatchPlant achieved source-image-level detection performance of AP@0.5 = 90.3 ± 1.1% and mAP@0.5:0.95 = 43.4 ± 2.9%. Orthomosaic-level evaluation after forward projection showed AP@0.5 = 89.7 ± 0.8% and recall = 93.7 ± 1.2%, demonstrating the workflow’s ability to transfer plant detections into georeferenced outputs. Plant-level traits, including plant height derived from canopy height models and NDVI derived from vegetation index rasters, showed strong agreement with manual annotations ( r = 0.87–0.97). Detection outputs were reused across time points with minimal additional annotation, supporting temporal phenotyping during early growth. The framework was validated using maize imagery from a single site and growing season, where plant separation remained clear. By combining modular design, reproducibility, and coordinate traceability, MatchPlant provides an open-source workflow for UAV-based plant-level analysis, with broader applications requiring validation across additional crops, sensors, growth stages, GSDs, and field conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像から個体検出と植物形質（草高・NDVI）を抽出する、オープンソースの再利用可能なワークフローを開発・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 study presents MatchPlant, a modular, open-source Python pipeline with a graphical user interface for UAV-based single-plant detection and geospatial trait extraction.

What you plant may not be what you bought: morphological and genetic discordance in specialty Coffea arabica L. cultivars from Ecuador. →

The genetic identity of coffee cultivars is fundamental to the specialty coffee sector, where premium prices are paid under the assumption that the purchased planting material corresponds to the declared variety. However, many producing countries lack the certification infrastructure necessary to guarantee this identity in their informal seed systems, exposing producers to undetected varietal non-conformity. In this study, we examine a case from a specialty coffee ( Coffea arabica L.) farm in southern Ecuador where seeds labeled as Sidra (USD 100/kg) and Gesha (USD 500/kg) were purchased without genetic or phytosanitary certification. Using a combination of SSR-based DNA fingerprinting and quantitative morphological characterization, including plant architecture, leaf functional traits, and fruit characteristics, we documented varietal identity and assessed the discriminant capacity of morphological traits across the four resulting morphotypes. Using eleven microsatellite markers for SSR fingerprinting, we found that two of the four morphotypes did not match their declared commercial identity. One plant sold as Sidra was identified as compatible with Batian, a composite variety of Kenyan origin that is genetically unrelated to Ethiopian landraces. The plants acquired as Gesha corresponded to a pure Ethiopian landrace that is genetically similar to, but not identical to, the Panamanian Geisha reference accession T.02722. Only two morphotypes were confirmed as Sidra. Furthermore, the placement of Sidra within the Core Ethiopia genetic group is consistent with prior population-level analyses and with its likely status as a selected Ethiopian landrace rather than a variety of hybrid origin. Morphological linear discriminant analysis achieved 82.4% overall classification accuracy under leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV), with internode length dominating the first discriminant function (LD1 = 66.6%). These results demonstrate that varietal nonconformity in the specialty coffee seed sector can extend to the inadvertent introduction of genetically unrelated material and underscore the urgent need for accessible seed certification.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsコーヒー品種識別のための形態形質測定と判別分析が研究の中心であり、形態形質の識別性能をLOOCVで検証しているため、植物フェノタイピング手法の適用・検証に該当する。

abstractquantitative morphological characterization, including plant architecture, leaf functional traits, and fruit characteristics

High-throughput stomatal phenotyping provides selection targets for stress-resilient wheat →

Phenotyping stomatal traits and their developmental plasticity is time-consuming but holds potential to improve water use efficiency and photosynthesis for designing stress-tolerant crops under climate change. Here, we develop a robust, high-throughput pipeline for phenotyping 14 stomatal traits in winter wheat related to size, variation, maximum conductance, and spatial patterning. We (1) analyze over 25,000 images from 60 wheat cultivars grown in growth chamber, greenhouse, and field conditions; (2) investigate the impact of light, temperature, and reduced water and nitrogen supply on stomatal traits and their developmental plasticity across adaxial and abaxial surfaces; and (3) evaluate genetic diversity and breeding progress of stomatal traits. Stomatal traits were highly broad-sense heritable, were largely plastic in response to environmental conditions, and showed genotype-specific responses. Stomatal traits of third leaves under controlled environments with stable light and temperature conditions reliably captured the genetic variance of flag leaves under field conditions. Our data suggests that the upper leaf surface contributed more to transpiration and cooling through consistently higher stomatal density, area, and maximum conductance, while the lower surface facilitated CO₂ diffusion via systematic proper patterning and spacing. Breeding maintains the genetic diversity of stomatal traits, and our pipeline facilitates breeders to target them to enhance water use efficiency in high-yielding modern cultivars.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods高スループットで14種類の気孔形質を抽出するパイプラインを開発しており、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractwe develop a robust, high-throughput pipeline for phenotyping 14 stomatal traits in winter wheat related to size, variation, maximum conductance, and spatial patterning.

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

0. 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. 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 counts. We validated EcoMorph across two ecological scales. At the intermediate scale, EcoMorph-derived floral area agreed closely with manual ImageJ measurements (R 2 = 0.935, n = 74) under simple-background conditions and (R 2 = 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 (R 2 = 0.9997, n = 12). By combining prompt-based segmentation with modular measurement, EcoMorph enables high-throughput quantification of area, size, and abundance 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画像から花の面積など植物形態形質を抽出する汎用システムを開発し、手動測定との一致で検証しており、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

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

PlantCV v4: Image analysis software for high-throughput plant phenotyping →

PlantCV is an open-source Python project aimed at developing tools to address a range of image-based, plant phenotyping questions. PlantCV has been used for more than 10 years to automate trait collection from image data, and the newest release, PlantCV version 4, continues to lower the barrier to entry for users without substantial coding experience through extensive example use-case tutorials and simplified installation. In addition to usability, we document added functionality since the release of PlantCV v2, including support for more image types such as fluorescence, thermal, and hyperspectral data. Finally, we describe the development of a new subpackage focused on morphological trait measurements like leaf angle, and demonstrate its utility as compared to more manual methods of data collection.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物フェノタイピング用の画像解析ソフトウェア開発と、形態形質測定機能の実証が中心である。

abstractPlantCV is an open-source Python project aimed at developing tools to address a range of image-based, plant phenotyping questions.

Stomatalia: a deep learning-based platform for quantitative stomata and pavement cell analysis. →

Abstract Background Stomata and pavement cells are fundamental components of the leaf epidermis, jointly regulating gas exchange, water loss, and leaf surface expansion. Stomata size, aperture, density, and pavement cell morphology are critical parameters for assessing plant transpiration efficiency, epidermal growth dynamics, and adaptive responses to environmental constraints. Despite their biological importance, quantifying stomatal and pavement-cell traits remains seldom not generalized, simple, and fast enough . Manual or semi-automated approaches limit large-scale phenotyping and restrict the integration of epidermal morphology into crop-improvement pipelines aimed at developing climate-resilient varieties with optimised stomatal patterning. To address such limitations, we developed Stomatalia , a deep learning-based platform designed to automate and standardise the quantification of stomatal and pavement cell traits. The algorithm was trained on epidermal images of cultivated and wild potato and tomato genotypes grown under optimal and abiotic-stress conditions. Stomatalia automatically detects stomata and pavement cells and extracts a broad range of morphological and integrative epidermal parameters, enabling high-throughput phenotyping within a unified workflow. Results Prior to platform development, we optimised a rapid, minimally-destructive leaf-printing protocol that generates negative impressions of the leaf surface within 40–100 s. Transparent positive prints were subsequently produced and imaged under a light microscope at scale settings ranging from 20 to 200 μm. The resulting images are analysed using Stomatalia’s user-friendly web-based interface, which runs an instance-segmentation deep learning algorithm to detect, count, and calculate stomatal and pavement cell parameters. The platform outputs structured files containing raw measurements, derived integrative traits, and associated metadata, facilitating downstream statistical and physiological analyses. Algorithm evaluation on independent datasets demonstrated high performance within the validated dicot imaging domain, with F 1 -scores ranging from 0.86 to 0.94 depending on image scale, species, and resolution, and high segmentation overlap for both stomata and pavement cells. The generality of stomatal detection was also tested on spring onion, chickpea, balsam poplar, and wheat in cross-species feasibility tests, although performance was more variable in monocots, and pavement-cell segmentation remained species- and architecture-dependent. Benchmarking against another publicly available app further showed that, under the tested web interface settings and image types, Stomatalia exhibited closer agreement with manual counts and substantially faster processing times. The practical performance of Stomatalia was further tested in a proof-of-concept trial with potato plants subjected to optimal irrigation and a long, gradual drought. The platform reliably quantified epidermal traits despite variations in leaf morphology and image quality, supporting the integrated interpretation of stomatal and pavement-cell responses under stress. Conclusions We developed Stomatalia as a robust, user-friendly deep learning platform for automated, high-throughput analysis of bright-field leaf epidermal images across varying magnifications and resolutions. Stomatalia facilitates rapid, reproducible, and coordinated phenotyping of stomatal and pavement cells by integrating methodological standardisation, computational automation, and multi-trait extraction in a single analytical workflow. Its strongest current application is the analysis of high-quality dicot leaf-print images, particularly in species and imaging conditions similar to those used for model training and validation. Cross-species and benchmark analyses further define its current scope: stomatal detection can be transferred to some additional epidermal architectures, whereas robust pavement-cell segmentation in monocots or highly divergent species will require further annotation and model retraining. Within these defined boundaries, Stomatalia provides a flexible and extensible framework for studying stomatal and pavement cell morphology and environmental plasticity, while also supporting broader efforts to dissect and optimise plant responses to abiotic stress.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods気孔・舗装細胞の形態形質を画像から自動抽出する深層学習プラットフォームを開発し、独立データで性能評価・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。

abstractwe developed Stomatalia , a deep learning-based platform designed to automate and standardise the quantification of stomatal and pavement cell traits.

CitrusGS: 3D Gaussian splatting for sparse-view CT reconstruction and precise morphological phenotyping of citrus fruit →

Computed tomography enables non-destructive phenotyping of fruit internal structure but traditionally requires hundreds of projections, limiting throughput. Under sparse-view conditions, conventional and learning-based methods both suffer from streaking artifacts and regional distortions that degrade trait quantification. This study present CitrusGS, an integrated framework that achieves high-fidelity 3D reconstruction and precise morphological phenotyping of citrus fruit from only 15 projections using radiative 3D Gaussian splatting. Our method employs sparse-point initialization, optimized loss composite, and dual-stage pruning to suppress artifacts while preserving anatomically critical details with significantly higer convergence efficiency. In the citrus fruit datasets, CitrusGS achieves 29.78 dB PSNR and 0.870 SSIM, outperforming corresponding baseline method by 1.58 dB and 0.067 in SSIM, and enables automated extraction of ten external and internal phenotypic traits with R 2 larger than 0.944. Moreover, the framework shows initial zero-shot transferability across pathological citrus samples and additional horticultural specimens without retraining. By reconciling acquisition efficiency with anatomical fidelity using low-cost X-ray hardware, CitrusGS provides a promising framework for high-throughput, non-destructive phenotyping in breeding and grading applications.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods柑橘果実の疎視野CT再構成法を開発・検証し、内部・外部形質を自動抽出するフェノタイピングが中心である。

abstractThis study present CitrusGS, an integrated framework that achieves high-fidelity 3D reconstruction and precise morphological phenotyping of citrus fruit from only 15 projections using radiative 3D Gaussian splatting.

Deep aerenchyma: a transformer-based pipeline for scalable phenotyping of rice root aerenchyma lacunae across environments. →

Abstract Background Quantification of rice root anatomical traits such as cortical aerenchyma lacunae is key to understanding rice adaptation to diverse water regimes and to support climate-smart breeding. Aerenchyma lacunae contributes to rice internal gas transport and influences methane emissions from flooded systems and can also limit rice water conductivity. It could be an interesting anatomical trait for breeding, however, large-scale anatomical phenotyping remains limited because manual analysis of root cross-sections is labor-intensive, subjective, and difficult to scale across heterogeneous imaging conditions. Existing pipelines often require parameter tuning and do not generalize well across environments. Results We developed a deep learning pipeline based on a vision transformer architecture to automatically segment rice root cross-sections and quantify cortical aerenchyma lacunae. The model was trained on 1,760 annotated images collected across multiple countries, growth stages, cultivation systems, and experimental contexts, using a collaboratively defined annotation protocol. The final model achieved high segmentation accuracy, with mean intersection over union values exceeding 0.92 for cortical tissues and lacunae. Quantification of the lacuna-to-cortex ratio showed strong agreement with manual annotations, with a coefficient of determination of 0.98 on an independent test set. An independent expert review indicated that model predictions were at least as consistent as manual annotations and reduced large annotation inconsistencies. The pipeline is released as open-source software and includes an interactive online demonstrator, and is accompanied by an online test dataset to support testing and reproducibility. Application across six experimental use cases revealed reproducible differences in aerenchyma lacunae across genotypes, water regimes, environments, and developmental stages. Conclusions This work provides a robust, scalable, and transferable tool for automated root anatomical phenotyping under heterogeneous experimental conditions. Transformer-based segmentation enables consistent and high-throughput quantification of lacunae, facilitating integration of these anatomical traits into breeding, physiological studies, and climate-smart crop improvement programs.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsイネ根の通気組織空隙を画像から自動セグメンテーション・定量するTransformerベースの表現型解析パイプラインを開発し、独立データで精度検証、ソフトウェアとテストデータセットを公開しているため、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractWe developed a deep learning pipeline based on a vision transformer architecture to automatically segment rice root cross-sections and quantify cortical aerenchyma lacunae.

A practical phenotyping framework for root system architecture reveals enhanced root vigor in an Aegilops tauschii -derived wheat line →

Wild-relative introgression broadens wheat diversity, as exemplified by the Multiple Synthetic Derivatives (MSD) population, a unique hexaploid wheat resource capturing extensive genetic diversity from Aegilops tauschii. However, root system architecture (RSA), a key determinant of resource acquisition and stress adaptation, remains poorly characterized in this population. Here, we established a practical two-dimensional root phenotyping framework that enables continuous imaging to track RSA traits and their responses to heat stress. Using this framework we evaluated MSD417 as a representative genotype against its recurrent parent, Norin 61 (N61). Under control conditions, MSD417 displayed greater total root length, root system width, and convex hull area than N61 (p < 0.001), indicating enhanced early root vigor. MSD417 also exhibited larger second pair seminal root angle (p < 0.001) and length (p < 0.01) across both conditions, suggesting enhanced horizontal root exploration while maintaining similar rooting depth to N61 (p = 0.981). Heat stress reduced overall root growth and narrowed genotypic differences, limiting RSA expression. Microscopic observations revealed a lower coleorhiza height-to-width ratio in MSD417. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the two-dimensional platform for early-stage RSA phenotyping and highlight Aegilops tauschii-derived germplasm as a source of favorable root traits in wheat breeding.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods二次元画像による根系構造フェノタイピング基盤を構築し、連続撮像で根形質を追跡する方法が研究の中心であるため含める。

abstractHere, we established a practical two-dimensional root phenotyping framework that enables continuous imaging to track RSA traits and their responses to heat stress.

Apical3DTip: Elliptic Cross-section-based Reconstruction for the Embryo Initial Cell of Arabidopsis →

Background Cell geometry plays a central role in determining division orientation and body axis formation during early embryogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana . However, quantitative analysis of dynamic three-dimensional (3D) morphology remains challenging because live-imaging studies often rely on two-dimensional (2D) projections, while existing 3D reconstruction approaches, including mesh-based methods, often lose the original orientation information relative to the ovule and require labor-intensive mesh correction. In addition, embryo positional fluctuation caused by floating in liquid medium and continuous growth makes it difficult to analyze temporal morphological changes within a common coordinate system. Results We developed a robust framework for quantitative 3D and four-dimensional (4D; 3D + time) analysis of embryo initial cell (apical cell) morphology. The method first establishes a standardized 3D coordinate system by normalizing cell orientation based on the bottom plane and the optical axis of the observation. Cell morphology is then reconstructed through ellipse-based approximation of serial cross-sections extracted from stacked imaging data, enabling accurate geometric characterization without the need for complex surface mesh reconstruction. To evaluate shape anisotropy, we quantified the apical cell shape in 3D. The framework further supports the characterization of volumetric features of subsequent division, providing a basis for quantifying 3D embryogenesis. Conclusion Our framework provides a simple and noise-reduced approach for quantitative analysis of living cell morphology in 3D. We named the integrated method of combining coordinate normalization with elliptical cross-section-based reconstruction Apical3DTip. This method enables consistent comparison of cell shapes without extensive manual corrections. The method overcomes key limitations of 2D projection-based and mesh-dependent analyses and offers a practical platform for quantifying cell shape and daughter cell shapes in 3D. More broadly, it provides a quantitative foundation for exploring the relationship between cell geometry, morphodynamics, and developmental patterning in living plant embryos.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物胚の細胞形態を3D・4D画像から定量化する再構成手法を開発しており、表現型取得・抽出法が研究の中心である。

abstractWe developed a robust framework for quantitative 3D and four-dimensional (4D; 3D + time) analysis of embryo initial cell (apical cell) morphology.

A-Occ-Plant: Plant occluded point cloud completion via amodal segmentation →

Plants are geometrically and topologically complex objects, and methods and devices that produce plant point clouds often miss parts due to self occlusions, making further analysis, such as phenotypic trait extraction or 3D reconstruction, difficult. We introduce A-Occ-Plant , a novel method for point cloud completion. The first novelty of our algorithm is converting point clouds into a set of images, which are then completed using 2D amodal segmentation. The images are then converted into a complete point cloud by using view-consistent Gaussian splats. The second novelty is the use of a coarse-to-fine hierarchical Transformer with cross-scale attention. The completed soft masks are fused into a continuous 3D density field using Gaussian splatting, removing the need for external pose estimation or fixed-size inputs. We introduce a synthetic dataset using a procedural model and a real-world plant reconstruction benchmark with artificially generated occlusions. We further benchmark A-Occ-Plant against representative 3D point-cloud completion methods, demonstrate that it recovers downstream phenotypic traits (leaf count, leaf angle, plant height), and show that it generalizes to another crops (soybean). A-Occ-Plant achieves a 264.8% improvement in LPIPS and an 8.3% gain in SSIM compared to the current state of the art, while using only 2.3% of the parameters and running 39.4× faster. We release our code at https://github.com/JaeLee18/PlantPhenomics_Occlusion.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の遮蔽点群を補完し、葉数・葉角度・草丈という表現型形質を復元する手法を開発しており、データセット作成とベンチマーク検証も中心的に行っている。

abstractWe introduce A-Occ-Plant , a novel method for point cloud completion.

LeafScans-Orchard: A Multi-Year Open RGB Scan Dataset of Orchard Plant Leaves for Species and Cultivar Classification →

LeafScans-Orchard is a curated, multi-year RGB image dataset of orchard plant leaves designed to support research in computer vision, machine learning, and plant phenotyping. The dataset comprises 9708 high-quality leaf scans acquired during collection campaigns conducted between 2015 and 2025, covering seven orchard crop species: apple, pear, sweet cherry, sour cherry, plum, peach, and apricot. In total, the dataset includes 67 cultivar labels. All samples were acquired using flatbed scanning under controlled conditions on a uniform background, ensuring high visual consistency and minimal background variability. The original scans were captured at 1200 dpi and subsequently converted into a public release format at 300 dpi, stored as lossless TIFF images to preserve morphological and textural details. Each image corresponds to a single leaf and is organized in a hierarchical directory structure by species, cultivar, and acquisition year, accompanied by image-level metadata and aggregated species–cultivar–year counts. LeafScans-Orchard is suitable for plant species classification, cultivar recognition, leaf morphology analysis, texture analysis, and general visual feature extraction. In addition to the main release, a representative subset of 300 original 1200 dpi scans is provided to support high-resolution analyses. The dataset is particularly suited for fine-grained classification, morphology-driven analysis, and methodological studies under controlled imaging conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods果樹葉のRGBスキャン画像を収録した公開データセットで、植物フェノタイピングおよび葉形態解析を目的とする。標準化された画像取得と再利用可能なデータ構成が中心であり、フェノタイピング用データセットとして適格。

abstractLeafScans-Orchard is a curated, multi-year RGB image dataset of orchard plant leaves designed to support research in computer vision, machine learning, and plant phenotyping.

Automated stomatal traits measurement in melon (Cucumis melo L.) based on vision transformers with dynamically composable multi-head attention. →

Stomatal trait analysis is essential for optimizing crop photosynthesis and transpiration, yet deep learning studies have focused mainly on monocotyledons, leaving dicotyledonous crops such as melon (Cucumis melo L.) understudied. To bridge this gap, we established a dedicated melon stomatal dataset comprising 5,708 training images, 1,631 validation images, and 815 test images. On this basis, we developed an improved Mask R-CNN framework using Vision Transformer (ViT) as the backbone. Specifically, standard Multi-Head Attention (MHA) was replaced with Dynamically Composable Multi-Head Attention (DCMHA), which enhances information exchange across attention heads and alleviates the low-rank limitation of conventional attention. In addition, a modified effective Squeeze-and-Excitation (eSE) module was incorporated into the Feature Pyramid Network (FPN) to strengthen channel dependency modeling and multi-scale feature representation. On the melon dataset, the proposed model achieved a mean average precision (mAP) of 72.40 ± 0.09%, with AP50 and AP75 of 91.93 ± 0.14% and 84.59 ± 0.19%, respectively. Repeated-run statistical analyses showed that eSE significantly and consistently improved the main detection metrics across backbones, whereas DCMHA provided a more moderate gain within the ViT-based setting, with clearer support for AP50 than for mAP or AP75 under the baseline FPN setting. Overall, the combined configuration remained among the top-performing models for stomatal instance segmentation. Ellipse fitting further enabled automated quantification of stomatal length, width, count, area, and circumference, showing strong agreement with manual measurements (Pearson r = 0.978). The model also showed preliminary transferability to cucumber, watermelon, pumpkin, and loofah, with an average species-specific R² of 0.86, although each species was evaluated on a limited sample set.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsメロンの気孔形質を画像から自動抽出するデータセット、改良Mask R-CNN、インスタンスセグメンテーション、楕円フィッティングを開発・検証しており、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractwe established a dedicated melon stomatal dataset comprising 5,708 training images, 1,631 validation images, and 815 test images.

Quantifying wheat spike morphology by high resolution 3D surface scanning →

An understanding of spike shape will be of great benefit for improving wheat yields. Traditional manual measurements of spike traits are slow and prone to human error, preventing large-scale phenotyping. Employing imaging techniques will allow researchers to measure multiple morphometric parameters simultaneously. While 2D imaging provides a rapid screening method, 3D imaging offer a more comprehensive understanding of spike shape, revealing complex external structures. This study addresses the challenge of developing a high-resolution 3D surface-scanning pipeline to accurately quantify wheat spike morphology across diverse genotypes. Using a 3D surface-scanner, sharp point clouds of individual spikes were reconstructed and automatically aligned and analysed to extract key morphological features including spike length, volume, and cross-sectional area profile. New shape descriptors based on cross-sectional area profiles, local extremes, statistical curve fitting, segmentation of spikes into zones of aborted spikelets, base and apical segments as well as the extraction of spike/spikelets branching and endpoints of components were introduced to capture detailed structural variation between genotypes. Correlations between the 3D-derived traits and traditional metrics such as spike weight, spikelet number and seed weight confirmed the biological relevance of the extracted parameters. The method distinguished morphological differences among twelve wheat genotypes, revealing distinct shape types such as long, short, compact, and awned spikes. By combining precise 3D imaging with computational analysis, this approach provides a non-destructive framework for spike phenotyping. These findings demonstrate that 3D surface-scanning can deliver accurate and reproducible measurements of wheat spike architecture, offering new opportunities for linking morphology with genetics and yield potential in modern breeding programs.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods小麦穂の形態を3D画像取得と計算解析で定量化するパイプラインを開発し、形状記述子の抽出と遺伝子型間での検証を行う、植物フェノタイピング手法の中心的研究である。

abstractThis study addresses the challenge of developing a high-resolution 3D surface-scanning pipeline to accurately quantify wheat spike morphology across diverse genotypes.

PhenoRob-P: An autonomous robotic system for high-throughput phenotyping of potted plants →

High-throughput phenotyping is essential for resolving genotype-by-environment interactions and accelerating crop breeding. In greenhouse potted-plant systems, narrow aisles, global navigation satellite system (GNSS)-denied operation, variable pot layouts, and plant-level data traceability constrain repeatable automated phenotyping. This study presents PhenoRob-P, a modular autonomous robotic system designed for potted crops in structured facility environments. The system integrates a compact two-wheel differential chassis, a LiDAR–vision fusion framework for row-level navigation, pot-level target identification and local alignment, a six-degree-of-freedom robotic arm with inverse-kinematics-based real-time pose compensation for repeatable multi-view close-range imaging, and a three-tier User–Cloud–Robot platform for task scheduling, remote monitoring, and closed-loop data management. Greenhouse validation showed throughputs of 520 pots/h in continuous scanning mode and 187 pots/h in multi-view fine inspection mode. At travel speeds of 0.2–0.3 m/s, mean terminal positioning errors remained within 30 mm, and approximately 87% of lateral and longitudinal errors fell within ±30 mm. Biological validation demonstrated time-resolved stress phenotyping in wheat, with color indices capturing drought progression and rewatering recovery. For maize, multi-view three-dimensional reconstruction estimated plant height and stem diameter with R 2 values of 0.940 and 0.845, respectively, relative to manual measurements. These results show that PhenoRob-P provides an integrated perception-localization-acquisition-analysis workflow for high-throughput, traceable, and time-resolved phenotyping of potted crops.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物形質の取得を中核とする自律ロボット型ハイスループット表現型解析プラットフォームを開発・検証しており、画像取得、3D再構成、ストレス・形態形質の推定性能も評価している。

abstractThis study presents PhenoRob-P, a modular autonomous robotic system designed for potted crops in structured facility environments.

PhytoScan3D: an open-source Python pipeline for batch extraction of phenotypic traits from 3D point cloud files generated by multispectral plant phenotyping sensors →

Abstract High-throughput 3D multispectral plant phenotyping platforms generate large volumes of point cloud files, but trait extraction is typically performed by sensor-bundled software whose internal algorithms are not publicly documented, which limits reproducibility and integration into custom research pipelines. Here we present PhytoScan3D, an open-source Python pipeline that extracts morphological and spectral phenotypic traits, spanning plant height, 3D leaf area, digital biomass, convex hull volume, leaf inclination, canopy geometry, NDVI, hue, and vegetation indices, from both PLY and PCD point cloud files generated by Phenospex PlantEye F500 and F600 sensors, and is portable to point clouds from any acquisition platform. PhytoScan3D was validated against HortControl (PhenoSpex) ground-truth measurements on 936 barley ( Hordeum vulgare ) pot-date observations from the growth chamber trial (20 Norwegian cultivars, 12 scan dates, Septemenr 2025 to January 2026), achieving Pearson r = 0.913 to 0.999 and ratio approximately 1.000 for Plant Height Max, 3D Leaf Area, and NDVI Average. A vectorised mesh face filtering implementation achieved a 120x speed improvement, increasing valid 3D Leaf Area coverage from 0.6% to 100% of files. Cross-format validation on 223 PlantEye F600 PCD files from the ICRISAT LeasyScan platform (four legume species: mungbean, cowpea, lima bean, and common bean; 1,523 plant observations) yielded r = 0.884 against independent cuboid annotation heights. The systematic positive bias (mean +27.2 mm, ratio = 1.44) is attributable to PhytoScan3D computing height from raw point cloud Z-range while cuboid annotations are fitted to segmented plant points only, with the offset consistent across all four species (per-species r = 0.880 to 0.888). Cross-dataset processing of 1,180 PLY files from the Crops3D benchmark (8 species, 3 acquisition methods) confirmed zero extraction errors. PhytoScan3D is available at “github.com/kovimallik/phytoscan3d” under the MIT licence and processes 1,651 files across three independent datasets in under 12 minutes on GPU hardware. Highlights PhytoScan3D is the first open-source Python pipeline for batch extraction of phenotypic traits, including plant height, 3D leaf area, digital biomass, convex hull volume, leaf inclination, NDVI, and excess green index, from both PLY and PCD point cloud files generated by Phenospex PlantEye sensors. Primary validation against HortControl ground-truth measurements on 936 barley pot-date observations achieved Pearson r = 0.913-0.999 for Plant Height Max, 3D Leaf Area, and NDVI Average. A 120x computational speedup in mesh face filtering (vectorised NumPy vs. set-based loop) increased the coverage of valid 3D Leaf Area extraction from 0.6% to 100% of files. Cross-format validation on 223 PlantEye F600 PCD files from ICRISAT LeasyScan (four legume species, 1,523 plants) achieved r = 0.884 against independent cuboid annotation heights. The systematic +27.2 mm bias reflects a methodological difference (raw Z-range vs. soil-segmented annotations), is consistent and predictable across all four species (per-species r = 0.880-0.888), and is correctable by a single linear factor. Cross-dataset processing of 1,180 PLY files from the Crops3D benchmark (8 species, 3 acquisition methods) confirmed zero extraction errors. Significant scan-unit variation was detected for Plant Height Max (F = 5.71, p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.138) and Canopy Width X (F = 6.32, p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.150), demonstrating the biological utility of extracted traits.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の3D点群・マルチスペクトルデータから形態・スペクトル形質を抽出するオープンソース手法を開発し、複数データセットで技術検証・ベンチマークしているため、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractHere we present PhytoScan3D, an open-source Python pipeline that extracts morphological and spectral phenotypic traits

Three-dimensional infection network analysis in maize reveals variation in fungal colonization associated with lesion phenotypes. →

Quantitative disease resistance in plants emerges from complex interactions between host tissues and pathogen growth dynamics, producing a spectrum of phenotypic responses. In plant-fungal interactions, disease is most visibly expressed through lesions that vary in number, size, shape, and color, collectively defining a lesion profile. For Cochliobolus heterostrophus, a fungus causing Southern Corn Leaf Blight of maize (Zea mays ssp. mays), we show that infection on different maize genotypes produces strikingly different lesion profiles. However, it remains unclear whether such macroscopic variation in lesion profiles corresponds to consistent differences in the three-dimensional organization of pathogen colonization within host tissue. We therefore examined variation in the three-dimensional structure of C. heterostrophus-infection networks across host genotypes representing four lesion-profile classes. Using light-sheet microscopy and filament-tracing methods adapted from neuroscience, we developed quantitative metrics to characterize infection network organization, including depth, density, shape, and spatial association with host vascular tissue. In this dataset, network depth was similar across genotypes, whereas network morphology (shape and density), spatial association with vascular bundles, hyphal segment length, and branching frequency varied. Notably, genotypes with similar quantitative resistance levels sometimes exhibited distinct patterns of fungal colonization, suggesting that comparable resistance can arise from different underlying infection dynamics. These findings indicate that lesion profiles may not uniquely predict infection network structure and highlight the utility of three-dimensional network metrics for describing variation that likely reflects multiple underlying host and pathogen processes. This multi-scale framework provides tools for linking macroscopic disease phenotypes with microscopic infection processes in quantitative disease resistance.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物病斑と病原菌感染ネットワークを対象に、ライトシート顕微鏡とトレーシング法を適応し、感染構造を定量化する指標を開発・適用しており、表現型取得法が研究の中心である。

abstractUsing light-sheet microscopy and filament-tracing methods adapted from neuroscience, we developed quantitative metrics to characterize infection network organization, including depth, density, shape, and spatial association with host vascular tissue.

Accurate 3D recording: Integrating ground-based LiDAR data and 3D segmentation network to extract 3D traits and analyze genetics in wheat populations →

This study suggests a novel extraction pipeline based on terrestrial laser scanning across multiple growth stages to address the current deficiency of three-dimensional (3D) phenotypic traits for wheat populations derived from 3D point clouds. This study presents 3D Wheat Point-seg Net (3D WP-seg Net), a novel 3D point cloud segmentation network that incorporates an SA-CrossAttention module to address the difficulties presented by complex structures, background noise, non-uniform point distributions, and scale variations in plot-level wheat point cloud data. Plot height, canopy area, and volume are examples of common phenotypic parameters that are successfully extracted using this technique. Additionally, two new phenotypic parameters: plot extension distance and lodging angle are suggested by fusing the centroid and slice-skeletonization algorithms. A software platform called 3D Trait Analysis was created to facilitate multi-sensor 3D data processing and trait extraction. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was then conducted using the extracted population-level traits to find potential genes linked to these new phenotypes. While the segmentation accuracies of 3D WP-seg Net achieved 93.1%, 88.3%, and 92.5% under various sensor systems, the results showed a strong correlation between the predicted and measured plot heights (R 2 = 0.954). Furthermore, four candidate genes linked to extension distance were found on chromosomes 1A, 2A, and 4A, and five putative genes controlling plot lodging angle were found on chromosomes 2D, 3A, and 7A. The multi-stage 3D phenotyping and analysis framework for wheat populations established by this study improves the accuracy of point cloud segmentation and trait quantification while offering a new and efficient method for the genetic analysis of important population-level traits.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsLiDAR点群の分割、3D形質抽出、検証、ソフトウェア基盤の開発が研究の中心であり、コムギの形態・倒伏関連形質を定量化しているため。

abstractThis study presents 3D Wheat Point-seg Net (3D WP-seg Net), a novel 3D point cloud segmentation network

High-throughput phenotyping of wheat ear surface area and ear density in the field →

Ear density ( ) and ear surface area in cereals are important traits for adaptation to low inputs and climate change. Here we propose a high-throughput field phenotyping method to estimate these traits using nadir and 45° RGB images acquired by the Phenomobile ground robot. First, the YOLOv5 ear detection algorithm is applied to nadir RGB images to estimate . Second, an ear segmentation algorithm is applied to nadir and 45° RGB images to compute the ear gap fraction at different viewing angles. The Beer-Lambert law is then inverted to compute the ear area index (EAI) from the observed ear gap fraction. is finally derived as the ratio between EAI and . We applied the methodology to a panel of 10 commercial bread wheat varieties how both traits vary across 12 environments. The relative error obtained for awnless varieties is 12% (56 ears m -2 ) for and 18% (1.3 cm 2 ) for . For awned varieties, ground-truth observations of were shown to be biased due to an overestimation of awns contribution, leading to an error of 41% (3.6 cm 2 ). was strongly correlated with grain dry mass per ear at harvest ( r 2 = 0.80 across genotypes and environments, r 2 per genotype ranged between 0.80 and 0.95) and was strongly correlated with grain yield ( r 2 = 0.83). These results indicate that both EAI and can be interesting non-destructive proxies for yield and grain dry mass per ear.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsRGB画像と地上ロボット、物体検出・セグメンテーション・Beer–Lambert法を組み合わせ、コムギ穂の密度と表面積を推定・検証する手法が研究の中心であるため。

abstractHere we propose a high-throughput field phenotyping method to estimate these traits using nadir and 45° RGB images acquired by the Phenomobile ground robot.

PhenoSnap: An AI-Powered Web Application for Automated Specialty Crop Trait Extraction →

Manual quantification of specialty crop traits, such as flowers and fruits, is often labor-intensive, time-consuming, and inconsistent, limiting scalability and precision. We present PhenoSnap, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered web application that provides an intuitive and efficient interface for automated specialty crop trait extraction from images. PhenoSnap bridges the gap between advanced computer vision technologies and practical agricultural applications by eliminating the need for programming expertise. This ready-to-use solution can enable growers, breeders, and Extension faculty to accelerate field work and enhance decision-making related to strawberry and tomato yield estimation for breeding selections and strawberry runner management. Written by Santhi Daggubati, Xu Wang, Xue Zhou, Shubham Singh, and Jessica Chitwood-Brown, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, June 2026.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods画像から花・果実などの植物形質を自動抽出するAIウェブアプリケーションの開発・提供が中心であり、植物フェノタイピング手法およびソフトウェアとして適格。

abstractWe present PhenoSnap, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered web application that provides an intuitive and efficient interface for automated specialty crop trait extraction from images.

TomatoPGT: A 3D point cloud dataset of tomato plants for segmentation and plant-trait extraction. →

Three-dimensional (3D) point-cloud phenotyping enables non-destructive and repeatable characterization of plant architecture, supporting the measurement of traits such as internode length, branching topology, and organ orientation. This article presents TomatoPGT (Tomato Plant Graph Twin) , a 3D tomato dataset designed for research on semantic/instance segmentation, graph-based structural representation, and graph-derived phenotypic trait extraction. The dataset contains 42 scans from three greenhouse-grown tomato plants acquired across early to mid-vegetative development using a rotational multi-view imaging system. Each scan consists of 60-70 overlapping RGB images captured under uniform illumination and reconstructed into a metrically scaled dense colored point cloud using Structure-from-Motion and multi-view stereo. TomatoPGT provides: (i) multi-view RGB images, (ii) dense colored point clouds, (iii) manually curated semantic and instance annotations at organ level, (iv) graph representations encoding plant topology and geometry, and (v) tabulated phenotypic traits computed deterministically from the graphs (internode length, insertion angles, and phyllotactic angles). TomatoPGT supports reproducible development and evaluation of 3D phenotyping pipelines, including learning-based segmentation and graph-based modeling of plant architecture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の3D形態表現型抽出を目的としたデータセットで、画像・点群・器官アノテーション・グラフ・形質値を提供し、再現可能なフェノタイピング手法の開発と評価を直接支援している。

abstractThis article presents TomatoPGT (Tomato Plant Graph Twin) , a 3D tomato dataset designed for research on semantic/instance segmentation, graph-based structural representation, and graph-derived phenotypic trait extraction.

Remote sensing data and machine learning models estimate sorghum grain yield in a plant breeding program →

P henotyping remains a critical bottleneck in sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) breeding programs, limiting rates of genetic gain due to labor-intensive yield estimation methods. To address this concern, this study investigates the potential of integrating remote sensing data with machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models to improve sorghum grain yield predictions. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)-based imagery was collected across multiple field trials, extracting standard vegetation indices, canopy height features, and panicle traits using a YOLOv11-based object detection model, "YOLO-SORG." Six ML models-including ridge regression (RR), elastic net (EN), LASSO regression (LR), support vector regression (SVR), random forest (RF), and XGBoost (XGB)-were trained to predict plot-level yield using three distinct feature sets: panicle traits, canopy traits, and a combination of both. Results indicate that models relying solely or partially on canopy-derived features provided the most consistent and accurate yield estimates (R 2 ≈ 0.74-0.76), whereas models relying solely on panicle traits performed poorly (R 2 ≈ 0.28-0.42), indicating nadir-derived panicle metrics were potentially being indirectly captured with the canopy traits. Traditional regression models outperformed tree-based ensemble methods in variance partitioning and repeatability ( R ≈ 0.59-0.60), making them more suitable for many breeding applications. These findings highlight the promise of UAS-driven ML pipelines for non-destructive yield prediction but underscore potential limitations of nadir imagery for capturing panicle morphology and use in a robust yield prediction model. Future research should explore the inclusion of multi-temporal imaging, refined feature extraction approaches, and use of oblique, non-nadir imagery to enhance predictive accuracy in sorghum breeding programs.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAS画像からキャノピー高、穂形質、植生指数を抽出し、機械学習でソルガムのプロット収量を推定するパイプラインが研究の中心であり、形質取得・推定手法の評価も行っている。

abstractthis study investigates the potential of integrating remote sensing data with machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models to improve sorghum grain yield predictions.

Image-based high-throughput phenotyping enables genetic analyses of pod morphological traits in mungbean ( Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) →

Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) is a vital source of digestible proteins and is well-suited for the plant-based protein industry. In this study, we analyzed pod morphological traits in the Iowa Mungbean Diversity (IMD) panel of 372 genotypes (2022-2023) using image-analysis-based phenotyping on 2,418 pod images. Pod morphological traits were extracted using deep learning image analysis, achieving excellent agreement with manual measurements (r > 0.96 for pod length (PL) and seed-per-pod (SPP)). Four complementary genome-wide association studies models identified 65 significant SNPs (-log10(P) ≥ 5.56) associated with pod curvature, length, width, and SPP traits. A significant SNP (5_35265704) on chromosome 4 was linked to pod dimensional traits, length, width, and curvature. A candidate gene, Virad04G0076900, located 15.6 kb from this SNP, is part of the GH3 gene family and has an Arabidopsis ortholog (AT4G27260) known for influencing organ elongation, pod, and seed development. Another SNP, 5_210437 on chromosome 6, has been found to be significantly associated with both PL and SPP. A candidate gene, Virad06G0002400 (36.5 kb from this SNP), encodes a potassium transporter and shares homology with the Arabidopsis gene HAK5 (AT4G13420), known to influence pod growth. Image-based measurements achieved genomic prediction accuracies ranging from 0.61 to 0.85 across various traits, demonstrating comparable accuracy to manual methods for linear traits and up to 22% improvement for complex shape traits. These results highlight the potential of deep learning-assisted phenomics integrated with genomic tools to accelerate selection for improved pod architecture in mungbean breeding programs across the Midwestern United States and globally.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods深層学習による画像解析でマメ pod の形態形質を抽出し、手動測定との一致度を検証しており、画像ベース表現型取得が研究の中心です。

abstractusing image-analysis-based phenotyping on 2,418 pod images

Hyperbolic topological data analysis mapper reveals dynamic trait–environment patterns in plant phenomics →

Modern plant phenotyping faces the challenge of interpreting complex, high-dimensional data. Traditional analytical tools often fail to capture the non-linear, hierarchical, and temporal relationships that define plant responses under multifactorial conditions. We present the Hyperbolic Topological Data Analysis Mapper (HTDA-Mapper), a novel algorithm designed to overcome these limitations by embedding data in Poincaré ball space. Unlike conventional Euclidean approaches, HTDA-Mapper preserves the hierarchical structure of phenotypic traits, improves cluster resolution, and reveals hidden growth trajectories across treatments and time, offering a powerful means to explore latent phenoms. The pipeline supports both quantitative data and images. When integrated with unsupervised contrastive learning, HTDA-Mapper identifies similarities and differences in raw image data without requiring manual labelling or post hoc processing. We applied this framework to a high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) dataset of over 27,000 images of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings exposed to varying nutrient levels and priming agents at different concentrations over seven days. Using cubical complexes, HTDA-Mapper mapped relationships between treatment variables, compound concentrations, and phenotypic outcomes. Furthermore, it reliably detected compound-specific effects, uncovered dynamic trait–environment interactions, revealed phenotypic trajectories not captured by conventional methods, and facilitated biologically meaningful interpretation of the complex dataset. By preserving the geometry and temporal evolution of plant development, HTDA-Mapper sets a new standard for HTP analysis. Beyond phenomics, it is a versatile tool for other omics, such as transcriptomics and metabolomics, where structured, high-dimensional data is prevalent. HTDA-Mapper can accelerate data-driven crop improvement by uncovering effective compounds, robust genotypes, and adaptive growth strategies that enhance plant resilience.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物フェノミクスの高次元画像・形質データを解析するHTDA-Mapperアルゴリズムを開発し、27,000枚超の植物画像データで適用・評価しているため、解析手法が中心的である。

abstractWe present the Hyperbolic Topological Data Analysis Mapper (HTDA-Mapper), a novel algorithm designed to overcome these limitations by embedding data in Poincaré ball space.

Hyperspectral imaging of Marchantia →

Hyperspectral imaging is an imaging technique that allows for acquisition of high-resolution spectral information beyond that of the visible spectrum. When applied to plants, it effectively enables non-invasive characterization of physiological status and has been widely used in agricultural settings. Marchantia is a model bryophyte species whose flat morphology and visually distinct stress-response phenotypes makes it an ideal candidate for imaging studies. Here, we provide a comprehensive protocol for hyperspectral imaging for Marchantia plants, which encompasses hardware configuration, data acquisition, and computations processing. This protocol features a streamlined data processing pipeline hosted on a web-based development platform that automates 1) the segmentation of plant area into spatially distinct regions for localized analysis of intra-specimen physiological gradients, and 2) classification of plant pixels based on their spectral signatures. All results are exported as structured CSV files for ease of further analysis as desired by the user.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsマーチャンティアを対象としたハイパースペクトル撮像プロトコルと、植物領域のセグメンテーション・スペクトル分類を含む処理パイプラインを開発しており、植物の生理状態取得が中心的な方法論的貢献である。

abstractHere, we provide a comprehensive protocol for hyperspectral imaging for Marchantia plants, which encompasses hardware configuration, data acquisition, and computations processing.

Genetic analysis of wheat ear architecture in F2 hybrid of tetraploid wheats Triticum aethiopicum and T. carthlicum and its computer phenotyping →

A comprehensive description of plant phenotypes of certain taxa is an important task when describing genera and species, as well as when setting their natural taxonomies. The development of modern technologies of effective phenotyping makes it possible to obtain a large amount of data with a quantitative and/or qualitative description of various traits in plants, mainly based on the analysis of their digital images. The study compared the results of the F2 hybrids assessment - visually and using machine learning methods - of two endemic tetraploid (2n = 4x = 28) wheat species which are Ethiopian wheat (Triticum aethiopicum Jakubz.) and Kartalian or Dika wheat (T. carthlicum Nevski). In the latter case, it is proposed to use the method of a mixture of Gaussian (normal) distributions in plant morphometry in order to identify groups that differ in character values. Most taxonomically important (species-specific) traits are controlled oligogenically and have a clear phenotypic manifestation, so hybridological analysis was an indispensable and basic type of analysis for subsequent detailed phenotyping of wheat spikes using machine-learning methods. According to a number of criteria, the estimates of patterns of inheritance obtained by different methods coincide. Based on the conducted research, we can state that the trait "tetraaristatum" (the presence of awns on both flower and spike glumes) is species-specific (taxonomically important) for T. carthlicum and it can be effectively used for taxonomic purposes both in carrying out hybridological analysis and in experiments using machine learning. Such a species-specific character is the "character (type) of awnedness" for T. aethiopicum. Our study demonstrates that a combination of automatic phenotyping methods and a model of a mixture of Gaussian distributions can, in principle, lead to an automatic analysis of the allocation of classes in F2 hybrids. It allows, in turn, to detect the presence of genes associated with species-specific traits of wheat plants. Further, the improvement of the applied artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms is required.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsコムギ穂の形態形質を対象に、画像に基づく機械学習フェノタイピングとガウス混合モデルを提案・適用しており、表現型の自動抽出・分類が研究の中心である。

abstractThe study compared the results of the F2 hybrids assessment - visually and using machine learning methods

Size–curvature constraint in the closing motion of Venus flytrap leaves →

Among carnivorous plants, the Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is known for its rapid (<1 s) trap closure. Although buckling instability, hydrostatic pressure, and hydroelastic coupling have all been proposed to be involved, the nature of this process and the relationship between trap size and curvature remain elusive. Here, we monitored the closure of Venus flytraps and performed micro-CT scanning and 3D reconstruction, revealing that increasing angular velocity was correlated with higher values of a non-dimensional shape index. Based on these experimental data, we constructed a geometric model of the trap that takes leaf orientation into account. We found that leaf curvature is dependent on leaf size, a relationship we denote as a size-curvature constraint. We further propose a curvature design derived from differential deformations of a two-layer model of the leaf, which could be a powerful tool to control the curvatures of soft and bending surface structures in the field of biomimetics.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsマイクロCTと3D再構成で葉の閉鎖運動・曲率を定量化し、幾何モデルでサイズ–曲率関係を推定することが研究の中心であり、植物形態・運動状態のフェノタイピング手法に該当する。

abstractHere, we monitored the closure of Venus flytraps and performed micro-CT scanning and 3D reconstruction, revealing that increasing angular velocity was correlated with higher values of a non-dimensional shape index.

Rapid modeling of 3D rice canopy structure considering vertical heterogeneity and analysis of spectral response →

The vertical heterogeneity of rice canopy structure limits the accuracy of inverting leaf physicochemical parameters using traditional radiative transfer models, while LiDAR-based 3D reconstruction remains costly for large-scale applications. To address these challenges, this study proposes a method for constructing 3D rice canopy scenes using "Precision Mode" and "Rapid Mode" strategies. The Precision Mode builds detailed structural models based on measured morphological parameters, validated via the LESS 3D radiative transfer model. To overcome the limitations of obtaining detailed morphology via UAV remote sensing, the Rapid Mode employs machine learning algorithms-specifically Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and XGBoost-to map easily accessible parameters (LAI, Above-ground Biomass, Plant Height, and Transplanting Date) to detailed 3D structural parameters. Results indicate that XGBoost achieves the highest accuracy in the Rapid Mode. Furthermore, simulated spectra under both modes showed high consistency with measured spectra, yielding average RMSE values of 0.0104 (R 2 = 0.9965) for the Precision Mode and 0.0307 (R 2 = 0.9694) for the Rapid Mode. Although the spectral accuracy of the Rapid Mode is slightly lower, its modeling efficiency is significantly enhanced, retaining a strong capability to reproduce spectral response characteristics across growth stages. This approach provides an effective tool for analyzing vertical spectral response mechanisms and offers an efficient data simulation scheme for UAV remote sensing parameter inversion based on 3D radiative transfer models.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsイネ群落の3D構造を構築・推定する手法を開発し、放射伝達モデルと実測スペクトルで検証しており、植物形質の取得・再現が研究の中心です。

abstractthis study proposes a method for constructing 3D rice canopy scenes using "Precision Mode" and "Rapid Mode" strategies.

Maize LAI Retrieval Using PointNet++ and Transfer Learning with Integrated 3D Radiative Transfer Modeling and LiDAR Point Clouds →

Accurately estimating leaf area index (LAI) is vital for evaluating crop growth and predicting yields. Conventional approaches, however, often struggle due to the limited representativeness of available data and the complex structure of plant canopies, which reduce their reliability across diverse canopy architectures and observation conditions. To overcome these challenges, this work introduces an LAI retrieval framework that combines a three-dimensional radiative transfer model (3D RTM) with deep learning techniques. Representative 3D maize canopy scenarios were generated using the LESS model, producing synthetic LiDAR point clouds constrained by realistic structural parameters. A deep learning model based on PointNet++ was trained, and transfer learning (TL) was employed to facilitate knowledge transfer from simulated to actual measured data. The TL-enhanced model demonstrated significant improvement, with R2 rising from 0.537 to 0.842 and RMSE dropping from 0.541 to 0.288 m2·m−2. Moreover, retrieval performance was notably affected by scanning mode, angle, and stem diameter, achieving optimal results under TLS acquisition, moderate scanning angles, and intermediate stem widths. These findings suggest that integrating 3D RTM-generated synthetic point clouds with transfer learning is an effective strategy for enhancing the robustness and generalization of LiDAR-based LAI retrieval.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsLiDAR点群からトウモロコシのLAIを推定する手法を、3D放射伝達モデル、PointNet++、転移学習で開発・検証しており、植物形態形質の取得・推定が研究の中心です。

abstractthis work introduces an LAI retrieval framework that combines a three-dimensional radiative transfer model (3D RTM) with deep learning techniques.

3D Reconstruction and Knowledge Distillation to Improve Multi-View Image Models to Explore Spike Volume Estimation in Wheat →

Accurate estimation of wheat spike volume is important for yield component analysis and stress resilience assessment, yet field-based measurement remains challenging. Active 3D sensing methods such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) or time-of-flight (ToF) are sensitive to plant motion or poorly suited to outdoor conditions, while 3D reconstructions are computationally expensive. Direct 2D image processing would offer computational advantages, but image-based models lack explicit geometric information. We therefore propose a hybrid 2D-3D approach with knowledge distillation during training while enabling efficient image-only inference. First, we train a rigid-invariant point cloud network using distance-based histogram features to obtain pose-robust geometric representations. We then combine the 3D model with a proposed multi-view image-based regulated Transformer (RT) in an ensemble architecture. Finally, we distill the ensemble knowledge into a purely image-based student model using either feature-based or label-based distillation. The two distilled RTs reduce the mean absolute error (MAE) from 654.31 mm$^3$ of the non-distilled RT to 639.93 mm$^3$ and 644.62 mm$^3$, and increase correlation from 0.76 to 0.77 and 0.82, respectively. At the same time, inference time is reduced from 160 ms to 1.4 ms per spike. Distillation further mitigates volume-dependent bias and reshapes the latent representation of the image model toward a geometry-aware shape. Our results demonstrate that 3D-informed training of a 2D Transformer allows for scalable and efficient spike volume estimation for high-throughput field phenotyping.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods小麦穂の体積を画像・3D再構成・知識蒸留で推定する手法の開発と性能評価が中心であり、高スループット植物フェノタイピングへの応用も明示されている。

abstractWe therefore propose a hybrid 2D-3D approach with knowledge distillation during training while enabling efficient image-only inference.

Analysis of Cauline Leaf Development in Arabidopsis thaliana Using Time-Lapse Confocal Microscopy. →

Understanding cellular growth dynamics in plants requires precise, long-term imaging of developing tissues. Cauline leaves are produced during the transition from vegetative to reproductive development and provide a useful system for studying how laminar organs diversify in form and function. While other laminar organs, such as rosette leaves and sepals, have been extensively studied, early cauline leaf development remains technically challenging to capture due to their concealed position, curved morphology, and the presence of dense trichomes. Here, we provide a complete pipeline for the dissection, confocal imaging, 2.5D segmentation, and image analysis of initiating cauline leaves in Arabidopsis thaliana . This method enables reproducible, high-resolution imaging of cauline leaves, supporting robust quantitative analysis of growth across developmental stages at cellular scale resolution. Key features • Fine dissection method for exposing initiating cauline leaves in Arabidopsis thaliana . • Long-term confocal live imaging of cauline leaf development at cellular resolution. • Optimized imaging parameters for high-fidelity 2.5D segmentation and growth analysis in MorphoGraphX.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsカウリン葉の成長を細胞レベルで定量化するための解剖、共焦点イメージング、2.5Dセグメンテーション、画像解析パイプラインが中心的に開発・提示されている。

abstractHere, we provide a complete pipeline for the dissection, confocal imaging, 2.5D segmentation, and image analysis of initiating cauline leaves in Arabidopsis thaliana .

Integrating deep learning and field validation into a decision support system for Northern Corn Leaf Blight management in maize →

Northern Corn Leaf Blight (NCLB; also, Turcicum Leaf Blight, TLB), caused by Exserohilum turcicum (teleomorph: Setosphaeria turcica), is one of the most destructive foliar diseases of maize worldwide, often causing severe yield losses under favorable conditions. We developed a maize-specific, web-based Decision Support System (DSS) for real-time NCLB detection and management ( https://maize-nclb.streamlit.app/ ), integrating advanced deep-learning for automated diagnosis and fungicide advisory. Among thirteen Machine-learning and deep-learning models evaluated for classification, the Visual Geometry Group 16-layer convolutional neural network (VGG16) outperformed all others, achieving 94.0% accuracy, with balanced precision, recall, and F1-score of 0.94, and an AUC-ROC of 0.93. Confusion matrix analysis revealed minimal misclassification, with only 12 errors out of 357 samples, confirming the model's high reliability in distinguishing healthy and infected plants, while Grad-CAM visualizations consistently highlighted biologically meaningful lesion regions, supporting the model's interpretability and alignment with plant pathological symptoms. Field validation of DSS-guided fungicide recommendations (Azoxystrobin 18.2% + Difenoconazole 11.4% w/w SC) demonstrated significant benefits, reducing disease incidence to 6.8% compared with 67.4% in controls, achieving 90% disease reduction, and enhancing grain yield by 35.4% (8.55 t/ha), with a favorable cost-benefit ratio of 1:2.49. Seasonal disease progression analysis further confirmed DSS effectiveness, with cumulative disease burden reduced by approximately 85% compared with untreated control. These results highlight the potential of integrating deep-learning with field-validated management strategies into a practical DSS, demonstrating its potential for precision disease management in maize.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods葉の病斑を画像から分類・可視化する深層学習法を開発し、野外で検証した研究であり、植物病害状態のフェノタイピング手法が中心です。

abstractintegrating advanced deep-learning for automated diagnosis and fungicide advisory

Linking Plant Traits to Fire Potential Mapping: A Feasibility Study in Australian Ecosystems →

Given the increasing frequency, severity, and socioecological impacts of wildfires, there is an urgent need for robust frameworks to better characterize fire behavior and flammability patterns across ecosystems to support early warning, mitigation, and management strategies. However, flammability remains difficult to quantify and scale, as it involves multiple interacting components that are typically measured at the bench scale. This study aimed to establish empirical links between spectral information, plant traits, and flammability metrics, and to scale these relationships to satellite imagery to translate these metrics into a spatial context. We combined laboratory spectroscopy, plant trait measurements including leaf mass per area, carbon, and cellulose, and combustion experiments using a simple and reproducible burning device. In total, 84 samples were collected and analysed, allowing us to characterise how spectral signatures relate to vegetation traits and fire behaviour. Spectral indices were developed to estimate plant traits, which were subsequently used as predictors in flammability models. These models were then transferred to Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program (EnMAP) hyperspectral imagery to derive spatial estimates across eucalypt forests and grasslands of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Spectral information distinguished fuel types and captured variability of the plant traits, while these traits showed associations with combustion behaviour. Based on these links, the best-performing model predicted the rate of temperature increase, a combustibility metric, in eucalypt forests (R2 = 0.70; Root Mean Square Error = 32.48 °C/s). In contrast, grassland models showed limited predictive performance, likely due to weaker relationships between plant traits and flammability metrics. Overall, this study demonstrates a practical and scalable approach for deriving flammability maps from hyperspectral and in situ data, highlighting the potential of plant-trait-based remote sensing. The resulting maps should not be interpreted as standalone fire risk products, but rather as a characterization of the structural and biochemical drivers of flammability. The main constraint of this work is the limited sample size. Future research should expand spatial and temporal coverage to better capture vegetation variability and enable the inclusion of independent validation datasets. Exploring alternative combustion protocols and testing more advanced spectral modelling approaches for trait estimation would provide additional insights.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物形質を分光情報から推定し、ハイパースペクトル画像へ展開して可燃性関連の植物状態を評価する手法が研究の中心であり、モデル性能も検証しているため。

abstractSpectral indices were developed to estimate plant traits, which were subsequently used as predictors in flammability models.

High-throughput screening of heat stress response in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis) seedlings using integrated 3D multispectral phenotyping and time-series analysis →

Climate change threatens global Chinese cabbage ( Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis ) production, a cool-season crop essential for Asian markets. With optimal growth at 18-20°C and severe disruption above 25°C, developing heat-resilient varieties is critical. This study integrated high-throughput 3D multispectral phenotyping with multivariate analysis to characterize temporal heat stress responses in 18 Chinese cabbage genotypes. Seedlings were subjected to heat stress (setpoint 40/35°C day/night; measured 35.7/31.5°C day/night air temperature) or controls (setpoint 25/20°C day/night; measured 25.0/17.7°C day/night air temperature) for 14 days, with continuous non-destructive monitoring of 14 morphological and spectral parameters using PlantEye F600 multispectral 3D scanner. Principal component analysis of temporal phenotyping data explained 62-68% of variance, enabling quantitative assessment of phenotypic stability through Euclidean distance measurements in PC space. Temporal analysis revealed crop-specific response patterns with maximum treatment separation at 3 days after treatment (DAT) (ΔC=3.27), reflecting Chinese cabbage’s rapid heat sensitivity as a cool-season crop, followed by progressive acclimation by 14 DAT (ΔC=1.41). Early responses (3-5 DAT) were dominated by morphological parameters, transitioning to physiological adjustments (10-14 DAT) characterized by spectral indices. Under heat stress, plants prioritized evaporative cooling through increased transpiration (four-fold increase) over carbon assimilation. A critical finding was the disproportionately greater reduction in root biomass relative to shoot biomass under to heat stress, with root biomass declining 38-47% versus 20% in shoots. Strong correlations (r>0.8) between 3D imaging parameters and destructive biomass measurements validated the non-destructive approach’s reliability. Notably, image-based root surface area analysis correlated strongly with actual root biomass (R 2 =0.698, p<0.001), enabling practical assessment of root area without conventional destructive processing. Based on integration of phenotypic stability (Euclidean distances in PC space) and biomass production under heat stress, this approach identified four distinct heat tolerance strategies: stable-productive genotypes (ideal breeding targets combining phenotypic stability with high heat-stress biomass production), stable-conservative genotypes (phenotypic stability with lower production), plastic-productive genotypes (substantial phenotypic changes yet high biomass production), and plastic-sensitive genotypes (phenotypically unstable and poor biomass production). This validated framework accelerates heat-tolerant Chinese cabbage breeding through efficient high-throughput phenotyping, enabling targeted genotype selection for diverse production environments facing climate warming.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3Dマルチスペクトルスキャナによる非破壊・時系列表現型取得と、その解析・検証が研究の中心であり、熱ストレス下の形態・生理形質を定量化する実質的なハイスループット表現型解析研究である。

abstractThis study integrated high-throughput 3D multispectral phenotyping with multivariate analysis to characterize temporal heat stress responses in 18 Chinese cabbage genotypes.

Morphometric Properties of Olive (Olea europaea) Pits: A Dataset for Cultivar Identification and Analysis. →

Image analysis of pits and grains provide alternative routes for overcoming the invasive approach of genomic tools in the investigation of archaeological or modern plant material, which is only seldom a viable option due to the complex and laborious methodologies required. Nevertheless, any investigation of pit morphology and cultivar interpretation requires a high quality, comprehensive dataset for comparison. Such a benchmark dataset for the morphology of olive (Olea europaea) pits is presented in this paper, designed to facilitate similar research and establish a base for future investigations. The dataset was established by image analysis of pits of 18 olive cultivars that were photographed in both lateral and dorsal positions. A dedicated MATLAB® code was developed to extract the silhouettes of each pit and to calculate 16 morphometric traits of each view of the pit. Altogether, a total of 1008 photos of 504 pits of the 18 cultivars, together with their detailed morphometric description and statistical analysis are available here. These were used to test the accuracy of the dataset and the new approach in representing the different cultivars.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsオリーブ核の画像から形態形質を抽出する専用コードと、検証用ベンチマークデータセットを開発・提示しており、植物形質取得法が中心である。

abstractSuch a benchmark dataset for the morphology of olive (Olea europaea) pits is presented in this paper, designed to facilitate similar research and establish a base for future investigations.

A leaf phenomics approach for estimating belowground traits in North American licorice. →

Premise Selective breeding over thousands of years has prioritized aboveground yield, with little regard for changes belowground. Roots underpin plant growth and resilience, but our knowledge of these critical structures lags behind that of aboveground structures. Accurately phenotyping root traits is labor-intensive, expensive, and often destructive. High-throughput, nondestructive methods are required to advance understanding of the fundamental biology of root systems and to integrate hard-to-measure root traits into breeding programs. Methods We used American licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota Pursh.), a perennial legume with a rich ethnobotanical history, as a model to investigate root system phenotypes. We assessed root traits across multiple populations, analyzed relationships between above- and belowground phenotypes, and tested the use of multidimensional leaf traits, including spectral reflectance, in predicting root traits. Results Root traits of American licorice varied significantly across source populations. Root traits were strongly intercorrelated and each root trait correlated with an aboveground phenotype. Leaf spectral reflectance and elemental composition predicted belowground traits; however, interpretation of some trait-specific signals were complicated by isometric scaling between plant size and root traits. Conclusions These findings demonstrate the use of high-dimensional leaf traits as a proxy for root traits, with potential applications for understanding foundational questions in plant biology and in breeding programs targeting belowground structures of perennial herbaceous species. Further optimization and larger studies are needed to improve predictive models.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods葉の高次元形質とスペクトル反射を用いて、測定困難な根形質を非破壊・高スループットに推定する方法が研究の中心である。

abstractHigh-throughput, nondestructive methods are required to advance understanding of the fundamental biology of root systems and to integrate hard-to-measure root traits into breeding programs.

Quantifying Growth and Lodging in Tef ( Eragrostis tef ) With Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) →

ABSTRACT Lodging is a major contributor to decreased yield in tef, a staple cereal crop in Ethiopia. Semidwarf varieties have been developed with a goal to increase yield through reduced lodging, but studying lodging susceptibility currently requires a labor‐intensive, imprecise, manual scoring method. Here we present workflows for analyzing tef stand height from UAS sensors across time to both predict lodging later in the season with early height and to measure the severity of lodging after a storm event. We compare 3D point clouds generated by photogrammetry from RGB images with those generated from LiDAR to estimate height, demonstrating that they produce similar results, despite differences in cost. Stand height and lodging can both be accurately measured with low‐cost UAS, reducing the need for manual measurements and increasing precision and temporal resolution in plant breeding programs.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAS画像・LiDARによるテフの草高と倒伏程度の推定ワークフローを開発・比較し、育種での測定精度向上を示す中心的な表現型計測研究。

abstractHere we present workflows for analyzing tef stand height from UAS sensors across time to both predict lodging later in the season with early height and to measure the severity of lodging after a storm event.

Deep learning-based 3D morphological segmentation and quantitative growth analysis of field-grown cabbage across the full cycle. →

Monitoring the growth dynamics in field-grown cabbage is critically important for ensuring stable vegetable production and advancing precision agricultural management. However, conventional two-dimensional (2D) image-based monitoring approaches are limited to planar projection information and lack representations of spatial structural characteristics, rendering them inadequate for supporting high-precision, full-cycle phenotypic monitoring of cabbage under open-field conditions. In this study, a high-precision three-dimensional (3D) point cloud dataset covering the period from the seedling stage to maturity was constructed using depth cameras in conjunction with multi-view spatial registration techniques. Building on this dataset, an adaptive point cloud segmentation network designed for the whole-cycle growth monitoring was proposed, incorporating a Head Refinement Module (HRM), a Leaf Instance Segmentation Module (LISM), and Cross Module Interaction (CMI) to address leaf adhesion and head boundary delineation. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method consistently outperformed state-of-the-art models in both semantic and instance segmentation tasks. For semantic segmentation, the mean Intersection over Union (mIoU) reached 0.767, with a point classification accuracy of 94.8%. The model comprises 54.25 million parameters and achieves an average response time of 0.76 s. For instance segmentation, the Average Precision (AP) improved by 2.3% for cabbage heads and 3.8% for leaves, while the Average Recall (AR) increased by 6.9%. Growth parameters, including plant height and canopy spread, extracted from the segmentation results showed strong agreement with ground-truth measurements, with correlation of coefficients (R 2 ) exceeding 0.9 for plant height, canopy length, and canopy width. Leveraging these multidimensional phenotypic descriptors, the temporal dynamics of cabbage growth throughout the entire growth cycle were systematically characterized. Overall, this study enables dynamic monitoring of cabbage phenotypes across the full growth cycle, providing a novel technical pathway for extending 3D phenotyping from controlled environments to open-field applications and offering important support for precise crop monitoring and the development of digital twin agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3D点群データセット、セグメンテーションネットワーク、形質抽出を開発・検証し、圃場キャベツの草高や冠幅を定量化する植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstracta high-precision three-dimensional (3D) point cloud dataset covering the period from the seedling stage to maturity was constructed using depth cameras in conjunction with multi-view spatial registration techniques.

Spatio-temporal 4D phenotyping for automated morphological genotype differentiation of sugar beet →

Abstract 3D models are used in plant phenotyping for non-destructive quantification and analysis of morphological characteristics. Analyzing plant structure allows breeders to select for desirable traits, associated with e.g. drought tolerance or increased productivity. In sugar beet, morphological parameters depict an essential element of the variety approval for distinguishing between genotypes. However, only a limited number of measured or scored parameters are considered at a single time point. In contrast, 4D data adds a temporal component and can depict the dynamic development of 3D parameters. To explore the potential of spatio-temporal 4D phenotyping for automated crop genotype differentiation, a greenhouse experiment was conducted by us covering twelve sugar beet genotypes. High-resolution 3D models were generated twice a week over the course of two months and both common and novel 3D morphological parameters were extracted. The importance of these parameters was assessed by us, and the dataset was analyzed using unsupervised pointwise clustering and time series clustering. Varying importance of parameters depending on the time point and significantly higher importance of plant parameters compared to leaf parameters are demonstrated by our results. Moreover, increased and more stable genotype differentiation is archived using time series clustering compared to pointwise clustering. Furthermore, taproot formation of sugar beet was found to have a crucial impact on morphological development. Substantial variations in the dynamic development of 3D morphological parameters underline the importance of 4D data for plant genotype differentiation. Thus, a novel foundation for genotype differentiation in plant phenotyping is provided by our findings.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3Dモデルから植物形態形質を抽出し、時系列クラスタリングで遺伝型識別を評価する4Dフェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

titleSpatio-temporal 4D phenotyping for automated morphological genotype differentiation of sugar beet

Evaluating UAV-based phenotyping strategies for Megathyrsus maximus . →

Effective high-throughput phenotyping is crucial for modern plant breeding, yet the optimal image acquisition parameters for UAV-based systems in forage crops remain poorly defined. We optimized UAV-based phenotyping methods for a Megathyrsus maximus biparental population, examining how ground sampling distance (GSD), environment, and harvest date affect the accuracy of RGB-derived digital traits in predicting yield and canopy height. Machine learning algorithms and mixed model analyses were applied to evaluate predictive power and heritability. Pixel count and Haralick's entropy showed strong correlations with conventional yield measurements, particularly in Environment 2, while most vegetative indices were poor predictors. Integrating machine learning substantially enhanced predictive power for green and dry matter yield (r > 0.80). For canopy height, machine learning models achieved correlations of 0.71 with ground truth measurements despite weak pairwise correlations. Mixed model analysis revealed high broad-sense heritability (0.7 < H 2 < 0.87) for yield traits, pixel count, and entropy, while vegetative indices and canopy height showed greater environmental susceptibility. Moderate GSD resolutions (0.5–1.0 cm) consistently outperformed both very high (0.27 cm) and very low (1.5 cm) resolutions. Coincidence index analysis demonstrated 80% correspondence between top genotypes ranked by pixel count and conventionally measured dry matter yield. This study provides an optimized framework for UAV-based phenotyping in M. maximus , demonstrating that combining advanced digital traits with machine learning accurately predicts key agronomic traits and significantly enhances genotype selection efficiency in forage breeding programs.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像取得条件、RGBデジタル形質、機械学習による収量・草高推定を最適化・検証する研究であり、植物表現型取得法が中心的です。

abstractWe optimized UAV-based phenotyping methods for a Megathyrsus maximus biparental population, examining how ground sampling distance (GSD), environment, and harvest date affect the accuracy of RGB-derived digital traits in predicting yield and canopy height.

Digital morphological data can generate accurate pre-emergence herbicide dose-response curves in Chenopodium album L. →

Introduction Herbicide dose-response assays are routinely implemented to compare herbicide resistance among weed biotypes, which requires plant biomass to estimate the dose that reduces growth by 50% relative to untreated plants (GR 50 ). The Phenospex TraitFinder is a high-throughput, non-destructive, digital phenotyping system that collects data from 7 spectral parameters and 13 morphological parameters, including Digital Biomass (DB), which offers the opportunity for researchers to eliminate the time and labor associated with manual biomass collection. However, DB is the product of 3D Leaf Area and Plant Height (PH) Mean, making it a measurement of plant volume and an indirect indicator of biomass. While DB is highly correlated with true biomass, digitally collected plant volume data has not been implemented for dose-response assays or assessed for accuracy relative to true biomass data. Additionally, inaccurate PH measurements could impact the accuracy of DB measurements. Methods This study sought to assess the accuracy and utility of DB and the 19 remaining parameters in dose-response assays by comparing dose-response curves and GR 50 estimates generated from digital data and fresh biomass (FB) data. Accuracy of PH measurements were also assessed by comparing digital and manual measurements with the paired t-test. Pre-emergence dose-response assays using fomesafen and atrazine were implemented with common lambsquarters ( Chenopodium album L.). At 21 days after treatment, manual measurements of FB and PH were collected following digital data collection. Results Consistently strong correlations ( r = 0.97, P < 0.05) were observed between digitally collected data and their equivalent manual measurements. Comparisons of the dose-response curves indicated that only 3D Leaf Area, DB, Convex Hull Area, Projected Leaf Area, and Voxel Volume Total generated highly similar curves and GR 50 estimates relative to FB data, indicating that any one or all of these parameters could be utilized instead of FB. Small differences (approximately 1.06 to 1.77 mm) between manual and digital PH measurements were identified with the paired t-test, but since DB consistently produced similar dose-response curves and GR 50 estimates relative to FB, these differences did not impact the accuracy of DB measurements. Discussion Without requiring manual biomass collection, turnaround time for dose-response and other phenotyping assays decreases and allows faster sharing of research. Furthermore, herbicide-resistant plants can be preserved for phenotyping at later growth stages, tissue collection, and to produce progeny for future experiments.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsデジタル表現型システムで植物体積・草丈などを取得し、手作業の生体重測定との精度比較および除草剤用量反応曲線への有用性を検証しており、表現型取得法が中心です。

abstractThe Phenospex TraitFinder is a high-throughput, non-destructive, digital phenotyping system that collects data from 7 spectral parameters and 13 morphological parameters

Mixed-scale multivariate analysis reveals phenotypic structure in wood apple (Feronia limonia L.). →

Wood apple (Feronia limonia L.) is an underutilized perennial fruit tree with substantial ecological, nutritional, and economic potential, yet its phenotypic diversity and trait organization remain poorly characterized. Here, we applied a mixed-scale multivariate framework to resolve phenotypic structure in 62 wood apple genotypes using 31 ordinal and categorical vegetative, leaf, floral, fruit, and seed descriptors. Trait interrelationships were examined through the complementary use of Spearman’s rank correlation and Cramér’s V association analyses, capturing both directional rank-based dependencies and scale-independent categorical linkages. Hierarchical clustering based on Gower distance separated the genotypes into three distinct phenotypic clusters, with inter-cluster dissimilarities (0.92–1.18) consistently exceeding intra-cluster variation (0.42–0.55), indicating well-supported phenotypic stratification based on cluster validation. Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) explained 23.30% of total inertia across the first two dimensions, with tree growth habit, branch angle, tree shape, and fruit color emerging as the principal drivers of phenotypic differentiation. Vegetative and leaf traits formed a tightly integrated module, whereas fruit-related traits displayed weaker monotonic but persistent categorical associations, reflecting partial phenotypic independence. The strong concordance among association analyses, clustering, and MCA indicates structured patterns of coordinated and partially independent trait associations in wood apple. Overall, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of mixed-scale multivariate approaches for resolving complex trait architecture in underutilized perennial fruit crops and provides a quantitative phenotypic framework to support germplasm conservation, parent selection, and ideotype-oriented improvement of wood apple.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods混合尺度の多変量解析を用いて植物遺伝資源の表現型構造を定量化する手法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。

abstractHere, we applied a mixed-scale multivariate framework to resolve phenotypic structure in 62 wood apple genotypes using 31 ordinal and categorical vegetative, leaf, floral, fruit, and seed descriptors.

A systematic comparison of transformers and ConvNets for root segmentation across nine datasets. →

BACKGROUND: Root segmentation is a fundamental yet challenging task in image-based plant phenotyping. Accurate segmentation is a prerequisite for extracting root traits relevant to plant physiology, breeding, and agronomy. While U-Net and other convolutional neural network (ConvNet) architectures have been applied to root segmentation, no systematic comparison of multiple Transformer and ConvNet architectures has been conducted across diverse root imaging conditions. RESULTS: We evaluated 21 segmentation architectures across nine diverse root image datasets, training 1511 models to assess all combinations of architecture, dataset, pre-training strategy, and learning rate, producing over 3 million segmentations for evaluation. Transformer-based models significantly outperformed ConvNets for Dice (mean Dice 0.679 vs 0.659; [Formula: see text]). Root-diameter and root-length correlation were also higher for Transformers, but the differences were not statistically significant ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] respectively). Pre-training significantly improved mean Dice from 0.623 to 0.666 ([Formula: see text]), with Transformers benefiting more from pre-training than ConvNets (Dice improvement + 0.072 vs + 0.021; [Formula: see text]), supporting the hypothesis that fine-tuned Transformers transfer more effectively across large domain gaps. MobileSAM achieved the highest Dice score (0.693) while maintaining computational efficiency. Both architecture families underestimated thin root length compared to manual annotations. Dataset choice explained 70.9% of performance variance, far exceeding model architecture (6.7%). PURPOSE: Transformer architectures significantly outperform ConvNets for root segmentation accuracy, and pre-training significantly improves performance, particularly for Transformers. Pre-trained MobileSAM offers the best accuracy at competitive computational cost. Dataset choice dominates performance variance, suggesting practitioners should prioritize data curation over architecture selection.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods根の画像セグメンテーション手法を複数データセットで体系的に比較・検証し、根長・根径などの形質抽出性能も評価しているため、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractRoot segmentation is a fundamental yet challenging task in image-based plant phenotyping.

Robust estimation of rice flag leaf inclination angle from SfM-MVS point clouds via ensemble skeleton extraction: validation in field and pot experiments →

BACKGROUND: Leaf inclination angle (LIA) is a key trait affecting crop canopy structure and photosynthetic efficiency, but its accurate measurement is challenging due to complex leaf geometry, especially in narrow, curved rice leaves. As the flag leaf serves as the primary photosynthetic organ in rice, the precise spatial parsing of its architecture is crucial for optimizing canopy light interception and yield potential. With the rapid development of high-throughput phenotyping technologies, an increasing number of studies have focused on the fine-grained characterization of 3D crop architecture. However, accurate methodologies for extracting the flag leaf inclination angle (FLIA) in rice, as well as systematic investigations into its spatiotemporal variation patterns, remain largely unexplored. RESULTS: In this study, we systematically evaluated multiple plane-fitting strategies based on SfM-MVS point clouds, finding that voxel-based piecewise analysis outperformed traditional global approaches. To further improve accuracy, skeleton extraction methods were innovatively extended to LIA estimation. A proposed multi-method ensemble, based on the median of eight skeleton extraction combinations, yielded high robustness (R2 = 0.923, RMSE = 2.072°) against photographic ground truth. By applying the proposed framework to both field- and pot-grown rice, we observed no significant FLIA differences between varieties or nitrogen treatments under field-grown conditions, likely due to phenotypic plasticity regulated by population effects. However, pot-grown plants, experiencing reduced interplant competition, exhibited significant varietal differences in FLIA. Across growth environments, varieties, and nitrogen treatments, FLIA at maturity was significantly lower than at anthesis and grain filling stages due to leaf senescence. CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes a robust and accurate measurement framework for LIA based on 3D point clouds, improving estimation performance through piecewise analysis, voxelization, and ensemble strategies. The proposed approach is demonstrated to be an effective tool for the precise quantification of rice leaf phenotypes.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsSfM-MVS点群からイネ葉の傾斜角を抽出する手法を開発・検証し、圃場および鉢植えで適用しているため、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractA proposed multi-method ensemble, based on the median of eight skeleton extraction combinations, yielded high robustness (R2 = 0.923, RMSE = 2.072°) against photographic ground truth.

BloomSight: An ultra-high-frequency phenotyping framework for diurnal flowering dynamics in japonica and indica rice to enable genetic dissection and hybrid-breeding applications. →

Rice ( Oryza sativa ) production underpins food security in many rice-consuming nations. As a critical developmental transition that directly determines yield and grain quality, flowering dates and timing are genetically complex and highly sensitive to environmental fluctuations. This complexity requires new methods to quantify diurnal floral characteristics, which are essential to hybrid breeding in cereals. Here, we present BloomSight, an ultra-high-frequency and deep-learning (DL) powered framework for phenotyping and measuring minute-level flowering dynamics in japonica and indica rice. After monitoring 172 rice accessions selected from the Chinese Rice Mini-Core Collection using cost-effective time-lapse imaging platforms for 16 days, we acquired over 530,000 accession-level images and established the Open Rice Flowering Training (ORFT) dataset, with over 39,000 panicles and 350,000 anthers annotated. Next, a two-stage customised DL model (i.e. YOLACT-Panicle for panicle segmentation and UNet-Anther for anther identification) was trained using the ORFT set, enabling ultra-high-frequency measures of anther extrusion at the minute level. Based on trait analysis, we further fitted curves to dynamically identify diurnal flowering patterns, including key timepoints such as the initial flowering timepoint ( T Ini. ), quickest flowering timepoint ( T Qck. ), and peak flowering time ( T Peak ), and novel traits such as the duration of rapid flowering phase ( P Rpd. ) and flowering density across key phases. After validating BloomSight-derived traits against manual observations, we classified the japonica and indica accessions into three patterns: Slow, Moderate, and Fast, all of which had distinct flowering windows. These analyses helped us integrate phenotypic variations into a genome-wide association study (GWAS), revealing many significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with known (e.g. EMF1 , OsMYB8 , and PME42 ) and several repeatedly identified unknown loci (one of these loci has been recently verified by other groups), demonstrating the value of the BloomSight framework. Taken together, we believe that BloomSight provides an ultra-high-frequency framework for diurnal flowering phenotyping, enabling the measurement of biological meaningful floral traits with minute-level resolution that can enable flowering-related developmental studies and hybrid-breeding applications in rice and more broadly benefit the plant and crop research community.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsイネの開花動態を高頻度画像と深層学習で抽出するフェノタイピング基盤を開発し、データセット構築と手動観測による検証も行っているため、方法が研究の中心である。

abstractwe present BloomSight, an ultra-high-frequency and deep-learning (DL) powered framework for phenotyping and measuring minute-level flowering dynamics in japonica and indica rice

From 3DGS scenes to plant traits: a scalable extraction and segmentation framework for muskmelon phenotyping →

Automated quantification of plant-level development from multi-plant greenhouse scenes requires separating individual plants from shared scene-level reconstructions and quantifying organ-level development, a challenge that single-plant acquisition workflows do not directly address. This study presents an end-to-end phenotyping pipeline built on 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) and a post-reconstruction extraction framework, LCR-GS, designed to isolate plant instances from full greenhouse scenes without scene-specific model retraining. LCR-GS integrates zero-shot 2D cues with multi-view lifting, geometric clustering, and chromatic refinement to convert large scene-level reconstructions (~2M Gaussians) into compact per-plant subsets (~16K Gaussians). Experiments on greenhouse-grown muskmelon at the early vegetative stage demonstrate high plant-extraction precision (0.933) and strong organ-level instance segmentation (mean AP50 = 0.924). Plant height and leaf count are validated against manual measurements (height R² = 0.98, RMSE = 1.88 cm; leaf count R² = 0.86), whereas additional morphological traits, including leaf area, leaf area index, mean internode length, and stem node count, are reported as pipeline-derived descriptors for within-cohort comparison. By decoupling semantic inference from reconstruction, the pipeline reduces scene-scale data by over 99% and provides a practical route to derive compact per-plant 3D representations from multi-plant greenhouse imagery for downstream organ-level analysis.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3DGS画像から個体・器官を抽出し、植物形質を定量化するフェノタイピング手法の開発と検証が中心である。

abstractThis study presents an end-to-end phenotyping pipeline built on 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS) and a post-reconstruction extraction framework, LCR-GS, designed to isolate plant instances from full greenhouse scenes without scene-specific model retraining.

RootHairFinder: An image processing method for quantifying cereal root growth and root hairs simultaneously in a flat rhizotron system →

Abstract 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 cereal root system architecture and 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 hair area from single images. Validation of the image analysis algorithm showed good segmentation performance, with average Matthews Correlation Coefficient values of 0.68 for root area and 0.65 for 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 rapid, scalable, and training-free method for integrated analysis of root architecture 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根系画像解析システムとRベースの画像分析ワークフローを開発し、根系構造と根毛面積の定量化およびアルゴリズム性能検証を中心に扱っているため、植物フェノタイピング手法として適格です。

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, that enables repeated, in situ quantification of cereal root system architecture and root hair area over three weeks of growth.

A surface morphology-based inference method for the cell wall elasticity profile in tip-growing cells. →

Plant development and adaptation are highly dependent on cell morphology and growth. High turgor pressure in plants causes stress on the cell wall, followed by cell extension. In tip-growing cells, the localization of vesicles and cytoskeleton components has been well studied. However, there has been a lack of attention to the spatial profile of mechanical properties, specifically the cell wall elasticity. In this study, we introduce a new surface morphology-based method to measure the elasticity of the cell wall in tip-growing cells. Previous work is based on measurements from the wall meridional outline, a technique that cannot track the elastic deformation of the cell wall experimentally. Instead, we developed a way to infer the bulk modulus distribution from the cell surface by triangulating experimental marker points coming from fluorescent labeling. To justify the use of our protocol in tip-growing cells from the moss Physcomitrium patens, we replicated the experimental noise and moss morphology in simulated cells. In practice, we found that a larger triangulation improved robustness against noise, which agreed with our theoretical study. With multiple cell sampling, we determined that 10 cells were sufficient to recover the elasticity distribution with noise, but only when the elastic stretches were high enough. We then created a dimensionless map of inference error to verify a spatial change of P. patens bulk modulus within two folds. This technique will open the field to more comprehensive measurements of cell wall elasticity, providing a key step in understanding tip cell growth and morphogenesis.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物細胞表面形態から細胞壁弾性分布を推定する新規測定法を開発・検証しており、植物形質の取得手法が研究の中心である。

abstractwe introduce a new surface morphology-based method to measure the elasticity of the cell wall in tip-growing cells.

Herbarium-based measurements are reliable predictors of fresh plant traits in Neotropical Myrtaceae →

Premise: Herbarium specimens are increasingly used to extract morphological traits for ecological and evolutionary studies, yet the effects of tissue desiccation on trait measurements remain poorly understood. Here, we tested whether higher tissue water content leads to greater measurement changes after herborization (H1) and whether fresh trait values can be reliably predicted from herbarium measurements (H2). Methods: We evaluated the reliability of herbarium-based measurements by comparing fresh and dried traits of leaves, flowers, fleshy fruits, and seeds across 262 individuals representing 133 Neotropical Myrtaceae species. Phylogenetic least square models and machine-learning regressions were used to test H1 and H2. Results: Leaves and flowers generally shrank after herborization, fruits size metrics tended to increase, and seeds were largely unaffected. Water content was significantly associated with the magnitude of herborization effects in flowers and some leaf and seed traits. Fresh trait values were accurately predicted from herbarium measurements. Prediction errors were lowest for leaf traits, followed by fruits, flowers, and seeds. Discussion: These results partially support H1 and support H2, indicating that herbarium specimens can be reliably used for trait analyses when organ-specific responses are considered, providing a practical framework to account for potential desiccation bias in functional trait research.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsハーバリウム標本による植物形態形質測定の信頼性評価と、生鮮形質の予測手法が研究の中心であり、植物フェノタイピング手法の検証に該当する。

abstractWe evaluated the reliability of herbarium-based measurements by comparing fresh and dried traits of leaves, flowers, fleshy fruits, and seeds across 262 individuals representing 133 Neotropical Myrtaceae species.

Optical Caliper for Contactless Measurement of Plant Stem Diameter →

Precision greenhouse agriculture enhances plant health and crop yields by continuously monitoring key plant parameters. Stem diameter is such a parameter and is monitored to support decisions on plant care. However, traditional contact-based methods induce thigmomorphogenic effects that impact plant growth. Here, we introduce the Optical Caliper (OC), a novel contactless device for precise, non-invasive stem diameter measurement. The OC operates by projecting a collimated light beam to cast a shadow of the stem onto a high-resolution image sensor. The shadow size is a measure for the stem diameter. Controlled laboratory tests show the OC offers an accuracy comparable to that of a Digital Caliper (DC). Field trials on irregular tomato and cucumber stems demonstrate a repeatability of 0.1-0.2 mm. The OC's non-invasive design and high repeatability exceed the performance of a DC, making it particularly suited for accurately monitoring soft, variable plant structures. Bringing the advantage of avoiding thigmomophogenic effects and thus optimizing crop yield, the OC is a promising tool for high-throughput plant phenotyping and precision agriculture applications.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の茎径を非接触・高精度に測定する光学デバイスを開発し、実験室および圃場で精度・再現性を検証しており、植物表現型取得法が研究の中心です。

abstractHere, we introduce the Optical Caliper (OC), a novel contactless device for precise, non-invasive stem diameter measurement.

Quantification of anatomical changes in young grapevine wood over time and in response to Neofusicoccum parvum with image processing →

Grapevine Trunk diseases (GTDs) represent a major threat for the wine industry. Despite several break-through, their etiology remains unclear and no curative treatment is currently available. Wood anatomy and water transport contribute to the symptoms of young plant decline. This study investigates wood anatomical alterations in two Alsatian grapevine cultivars presenting different susceptibility to GTDs, focusing on wood structure over six months of vegetative growth and in response to infection. Using a validated FasGa staining protocol, wood sections from transverse, tangential, and radial directions were stained to differentiate lignified and cellulosic tissues. Microscopic analysis was performed at x4, x10, and x40 magnifications, yielding a dataset of 4771 images. To support this high-throughput quantitative analysis of microscopy images, a computational model was developed, enabling reliable and efficient assessment of anatomical traits. Pre-established woody tissues presented higher xylem vessels diameter in Gewurztraminer than Riesling, with a dorsoventral arrangement whereas the number of vessels remained the same all over the cross section. No significant anatomical changes were observed in established woody tissues, whereas newly formed xylem anatomy showed a possible rearrangement during infection, especially in Gewurztraminer cultivar. Furthermore, colorimetric analysis quantified the lignification of woody tissues in response to wounding damage compared to un-treated plants. While definitive conclusions remain limited due to the experimental timeframe and sample variability, the findings highlight the need for longer-term studies and broader cultivar evaluation. Code and microscopy images have been made publicly available, providing a scalable digital tool for future research in plant vascular systems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物組織画像から木部解剖形質と木化を定量する計算モデルを開発・検証し、大規模画像データセットと公開コードを提供しており、表現型取得手法が研究の中心である。

abstractTo support this high-throughput quantitative analysis of microscopy images, a computational model was developed, enabling reliable and efficient assessment of anatomical traits.

3D point cloud driven organ semantic segmentation to assess maize structural responses along the planting-density gradient →

High-density planting is an effective strategy to increase maize yield but imposes greater demands on plant architectural adaptability. To elucidate the structural response mechanisms of maize under varying planting densities, we developed a high-throughput 3D phenotyping system tailored to complex field conditions. High-precision point clouds of field-sampled plants were obtained via multi-view 3D reconstruction. Using a deep learning network, stem and leaf organs were semantically segmented (95.6% accuracy), while leaves were individually separated via clustering (94.8% accuracy). From these data, 31 plant architectural traits and 14 ear-leaf traits were extracted, establishing a hierarchical trait characterization system. Results showed that increased planting density significantly influenced plant architecture reshaping and structural coordination, leading to more compact plant forms and ear height position centralization. Ear leaves exhibited heightened sensitivity to density variation, particularly in leaf area, vertical distribution, and leaf inclination angle, suggesting an early-response role. Principal component analysis and clustering further revealed patterns of structural differentiation and key traits driving these changes under density treatments. The integrated workflow-comprising data acquisition, modeling, segmentation, clustering, trait extraction, and analysis-offers a robust approach for structural phenotyping and intelligent breeding selection in maize and other tall crops. This pipeline provides valuable technical support and data resources for optimizing dense planting strategies and advancing digital agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods高スループット3D表現型システムを開発し、点群再構成・器官分割・クラスタリングから多数の植物構造形質を抽出することが中心であるため。

abstractwe developed a high-throughput 3D phenotyping system tailored to complex field conditions

A multidimensional view of fronds reveals phenotypic structuring and delimitation problems →

Recognizing lineages is a central challenge in plant systematics, making it essential to explore multiple analytical tools. In this context, this study investigates how frond shape can assist in discriminating against lineages within the Scaly clade of Microgramma (Polypodiaceae), and tests whether the integration of multiple lines of evidence enables a more consistent recognition of lineages than exclusively macromorphological approaches. We analyzed 271 specimens representing eight species, using Elliptical Fourier Analysis (EFA) to quantify frond shape, followed by multivariate statistical tests (PCA, MANOVA, LDA). Evolutionary relationships between spectral and morphometric data were assessed through phylogenetic generalized least squares (PGLS) regressions and phylogenetic partial least squares (Phylo-PLS) analyses. Dimorphic species exhibited higher discrimination capacity (average accuracy of 80–83%). Fertile and combined fronds yielded the highest accuracy values. Morphologically similar species, such as M. reptans and M. tobagensis, showed significant overlap, whereas M. percussa achieved the best performance (average accuracy of 80%). Morphometric-spectral integration showed a strong correlation (R² = 0.72; P = 0.003), and both the combined datasets (spectra and outline) and the individual datasets of spectral and shape features revealed a high phylogenetic signal (λ = 1–0.84), indicating partial coevolution between frond shape, chemical composition, and the evolutionary history of the group. Outline morphometry combined with infrared spectroscopy within a phylogenetic framework improves lineage discrimination, although overlap zones persist, reflecting complex evolutionary processes. Our study highlights the potential of integrative systematics to elucidate species boundaries in groups with high morphological disparity, as well as the need for broad sampling and multi-evidence approaches in future systematic reviews.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsフロンド形状をElliptical Fourier Analysisで定量化し、赤外分光との統合を用いて系統識別性能を評価しており、植物器官形質の取得・解析手法が研究の中心です。

abstractusing Elliptical Fourier Analysis (EFA) to quantify frond shape, followed by multivariate statistical tests (PCA, MANOVA, LDA).

Manifold-based learning for high-throughput single-peanut phenotyping. →

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), a major legume crop valued for its high oil content, displays complex genotypic-phenotypic interactions shaped by environmental influences, yet these relationships remain poorly understood. We present a high-throughput phenotyping framework that captures the geometry of peanut pods using digital microscopy or smartphone imaging integrated with manifold-learning for large-scale analysis and visualization. Using over 6500 pods collected across China, we identify a geographically distinct morphological signature and demonstrate accurate cultivar discrimination. This scalable approach establishes the foundation for a Large Geometric Model capable of predicting phenotypic traits and accelerating precision agriculture. Our pipeline offers a transformative tool for peanut breeding and sustainable crop improvement.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsデジタル顕微鏡・スマートフォン画像と多様体学習を統合し、ピーナッツ莢の形態を大規模に取得・解析する高スループット表現型解析フレームワークが中心である。

abstractWe present a high-throughput phenotyping framework that captures the geometry of peanut pods using digital microscopy or smartphone imaging integrated with manifold-learning for large-scale analysis and visualization.

Hierarchically scaled remote sensing and field datasets for three-dimensional wildland fuel characterization →

Abstract Background: Next-generation models of fire behavior and smoke production rely on gridded, 3D inputs of wildland fuel complexes. We used a hierarchically scaled sampling design to characterize canopy and surface fuels that are common to prescribed burning programs in the southeastern and western US. Sampling included airborne laser scanning, terrestrial laser scanning, close-range photogrammetry, and destructive field sampling. The objective of this study was to use a combination of airborne laser scanning (ALS), terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), structure-from-motion photogrammetry (SfM), and field observations to create co-located 3D datasets of live and dead understory fuels for use in wildland fuel mapping and prescribed burn decision support Results: Using our integrated, co-located methods, we produced hierarchically-scaled datasets detailing the structure and composition of canopy and surface fuels across 9 southeastern pine sites, 5 western pine sites, and 4 western grassland sites. These are now publicly available at within the Wildland Fire Science Initiative data repository (https://doi.org/10.60594/W4859C). In this paper, we detail methods and the repository structure. Conclusions: The study was designed to evaluate and advance methods for 3D fuel characterization and to provide consistently scaled and labelled datasets for model training and evaluation. More specifically, machine learning models can be used to parse 3D point clouds collected from ALS, TLS, and structure-from-motion photogrammetry into fuel objects and metrics. Calibration with field plots will allow our hierarchically-scaled datasets to be used as the foundation for synthetic fuelbed mapping, starting with fine-scale objects such as individual shrubs or downed wood and scaling to vegetation patches and operational burn units.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsALS、TLS、SfMと現地観測を統合して植物群落の3D構造・燃料特性を取得し、手法の評価・改良と公開データセット構築を主目的としているため、植物形質計測法が中心である。

abstractThe objective of this study was to use a combination of airborne laser scanning (ALS), terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), structure-from-motion photogrammetry (SfM), and field observations to create co-located 3D datasets of live and dead understory fuels for use in wildland fuel mapping and prescribed burn decision support

Diversity of Root System Architecture in Mediterranean Maize Inbred Lines Provides New Breeding Opportunities to Improve Stress Resilience and Resource Efficiency. →

A detailed characterization of root system architecture (RSA) and growth dynamics is key to develop stress-resilient maize varieties. We evaluated sixty-five Mediterranean maize inbred lines using automated high-throughput phenotyping under controlled conditions. Shoot and root traits were extracted from imaging data during early vegetative development, revealing significant genotype-specific variation in root biomass-related traits (total root length, total root volume), root architecture (root angle, root system depth, root system width), and relative growth rates. Notably, lines previously classified as heat and drought stress-resilient or stress-sensitive based on above-ground development did not group according to particular root traits, indicating that multiple strategies may underlie tolerance to combined stress. We identified lines with contrasting RSA, including deeper roots, shallower roots, or overall larger root systems, that offer new opportunities for resilience breeding. Our results underscore root traits as critical yet underexploited targets for improving stress resilience and resource efficiency.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods自動化ハイスループット画像解析により根系形態・成長形質を抽出する表現型取得が研究の主要手段であり、根系構造の実質的な応用解析に該当する。

abstractWe evaluated sixty-five Mediterranean maize inbred lines using automated high-throughput phenotyping under controlled conditions.

Coleaf, an image recognition-driven approach facilitates the genome-wide association study with tea leaf morphology. →

Leaf morphology in tea plants (Camellia sinensis L.) profoundly influences tea quality and agronomic value, yet its genetic basis remains elusive due to labor-intensive phenotyping, foliage architecture, and ecological sensitivity of traits. Moreover, traditional methods forfeit quantitative color gradients and population-level morphological complexity. To address this challenge, we developed coleaf, an open-source image recognition-based software that demonstrated 97.6% accuracy over conventional ImageJ measurements, while offering higher efficiency and color hues quantification. We then estimated 7 key morphological traits focusing on leaves from a collection of ~ 4,200 mature leaves and ~ 5,000 bud-leaf samples across 167 genetically diverse tea accessions by coleaf. While classical understanding suggests leaf shape differentiation between two varieties in genus sinensis assamica (CSA) and sinensis (CSS), our phenotypic clustering revealed incomplete congruence with phylogenetic relationships, suggesting the presence of additional genetic or environmental modulators beyond population divergence. Furthermore, we integrated phenotypic data with whole-genome resequencing for multi-model genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Candidate genes associated with leaf architecture were involved in plant development (e.g., CsFAS2), cell division and elongation (e.g., CsFIP1), and cellular morphogenesis (e.g., CsRLK), whereas those associated with leaf color, regulated pigment accumulation (e.g., ABC transporters, CsMYB113). In conclusion, this study establishes a standardized computational framework validating automated image recognition for plant leaf phenomics. The end-to-end framework from high-throughput phenotyping to gene discovery provides critical genetic targets for tea breeding, demonstrating transformative potential in accelerating the genetic improvement of tea plants.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods茶葉形態の画像認識ソフトウェアを開発・検証し、高スループットな形質抽出フレームワークとして適用しており、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractwe developed coleaf, an open-source image recognition-based software that demonstrated 97.6% accuracy over conventional ImageJ measurements

Segment Any Plant (SAP): Foundation-Model Segmentation for Plant Time-Series Phenotyping →

Quantitative studies of plant growth and environmental responses increasingly rely on time-series imaging, yet automated segmentation remains challenging due to continuous growth, large non-rigid morphological change, and frequent self-occlusion. Traditional image-processing pipelines and task-specific deep learning models often require extensive annotated datasets and retraining, limiting portability across species, developmental stages, and imaging conditions. Here we present SAP (Segment Any Plant), a plant-focused framework that leverages the pretrained Segment Anything Model 2 (SAM2) to enable few-shot, training-free segmentation of plant time-series imagery. SAP integrates interactive prompting, automated temporal mask propagation, and centerline extraction within a web-based interface, allowing users to move from raw images to quantitative descriptors of organ shape and dynamics without programming expertise. Across multiple systems, including Arabidopsis thaliana rosette development, root growth, sunflower gravitropism, and confocal root microscopy, SAP achieves high segmentation accuracy (mean IoU 0.89–0.93) and sub-pixel centerline precision from single-frame prompting. By reducing the need for task-specific retraining, SAP provides a transferable framework for reproducible time-series phenotyping across diverse experimental contexts.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の時系列画像から器官形状・動態を抽出するセグメンテーション手法とWeb基盤を開発し、複数系で精度検証しているため、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractHere we present SAP (Segment Any Plant), a plant-focused framework that leverages the pretrained Segment Anything Model 2 (SAM2) to enable few-shot, training-free segmentation of plant time-series imagery.

DBGCN: Dual-branch Graph Convolutional Network for organ instance inference on sparsely labeled 3D plant data. →

3D crop phenotyping technology provides critical support for screening morphology-related plant genes and identification of germplasm resource. Organ segmentation or recognition is the first key step in 3D crop phenotyping, where inductive deep learning currently dominates as the mainstream methodology. However, the high requirement for data annotation in inductive learning paradigm has transformed the manual data labeling into a labor-intensive task, thereby in turn restricting the progress of inductive learning. This problem has inspired us to leverage Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) as the transductive learning tool to directly segment organs on sparsely annotated crop point clouds. We propose a Dual-branch Graph Convolutional Network (DBGCN) that only requires sparse labels to perform organ instance inference directly on plant point clouds that have featureless point features. Different from existing graph-based networks, DBGCN not only carries out the static-feature-space graph convolutions that are good at mining and aggregating on local information on the point cloud, but also incorporates dynamic graph convolutions that captures the potential changes of the graph manifold in deep feature space. Extensive experiments prove that the fusion of two types of graph feature convolutions brings a high node (point) classification accuracy, outperforming mainstream GNNs and even several popular inductive deep architectures. On the PlantNet sub-dataset, DBGCN achieves an mAcc (mean accuracy of node classification) of 93.00% under 1.95% manual annotation ratio. On the Soybean-MVS sub-dataset, DBGCN achieves an mAcc of 91.05% under 4.88% manual annotation ratio. Furthermore, our DBGCN not only works well on crop 3D data but can also serve other applications such as the segmentation of point cloud data for large-scale street view. Our dataset and code can be found at https://github.com/chinazhouzhaoyi/DBGCN/tree/master/.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3D植物点群から器官を分割・推論する深層学習手法を開発し、植物フェノタイピングデータ上で精度検証しているため、表現型取得・抽出法が中心である。

abstractWe propose a Dual-branch Graph Convolutional Network (DBGCN) that only requires sparse labels to perform organ instance inference directly on plant point clouds

Vegetation dynamics inside Mediterranean vineyards: A dataset for tracking changes using unmanned aerial vehicles. →

Service crops are grown to provide ecosystem services in viticulture, but their adoption remains limited due to their competition with grapevine for soil resources. To identify trade-offs between services, the effect of service crops management strategies on grapevine performances still need further research. This dataset presents data from two experiments conducted to study the effect of service crops management on soil resources and grapevine performances. The inter-row vegetation was sampled in two Mediterranean vineyards using quadrats for biomass estimation. In addition, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was regularly flown over the vineyards for a period spanning more than four years in total over the two vineyards. The dataset presented here includes both raw data acquired during fieldwork and processed data derived from this raw inputs. The raw data consists of image series captured by two UAVs during each flight campaign, including RGB and multispectral imagery. Images were acquired between 2021-06-10 and 2022-07-29 for the first vineyard, and between 2023-06-08 and 2025-03-12 for the second vineyard. Based on these raw data, the processed data comprises spatial vectors, raster layers, and dense point clouds generated from UAV images using a Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry workflow, at a 5 cm spatial resolution. The raster layers and dense point clouds provide specific information on vineyard characteristics for each UAV flight date, including elevation, vegetation indices, visible and near-infrared reflectance, and canopy height. In addition, the processed data include measurements of vegetation dry biomass, as well as separate measurements of dry biomass and leaf area measured for selected service crops species. This dataset can be reused for the calibration and/or evaluation of classification algorithms aimed at discriminating vines from the inter-row vegetation, or as part of a larger dataset to explore relationships between remotely-sensed vegetation indices and field-measured vegetation biomass or surface.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像とSfM処理により、植生指数・樹冠高・バイオマス等の植物形質を取得した再利用可能なデータセットで、分類アルゴリズムの校正・評価用途も明示されており、植物フェノタイピング手法・データ基盤が中心です。

abstractThe dataset presented here includes both raw data acquired during fieldwork and processed data derived from this raw inputs.

Quantification of lettuce leaf DUS test traits and phenotypic fingerprint construction for variety identification. →

Rapid and accurate identification of DUS (Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability) test traits in lettuce leaves is essential for advancing multi-omics-driven intelligent breeding. It also plays a critical role in germplasm protection and enhancing agricultural competitiveness. However, the phenotypic traits of lettuce leaves are highly diverse and complex due to both genotypic variation and environmental influences, posing significant challenges for precise DUS trait quantification. To address these challenges, we propose a high-precision phenotypic trait extraction pipeline and introduce an interpretable phenotypic fingerprinting framework for lettuce subgroup identification. First, a lightweight semantic segmentation network guided by group attention is developed to extract leaf components. Then, shape, color, and texture traits are comprehensively quantified. Following UPOV (International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants) guidelines, we establish quantitative methods for seven DUS test traits: leaf shape, leaf tip shape, leaf margin shape, leaf vein shape, color hue, brightness, and anthocyanin coloration. Finally, PCA (Principal component analysis) was used to select 13 key traits, capturing over 95.82% of the total variance, for constructing "phenotypic ID" of lettuce varieties. Experiments conducted on 709 lettuce leaf image datasets showed that the accuracy of subgroup identification based on phenotypic fingerprints reached 98.59%. This study offers a scalable approach for automated DUS test trait evaluation and intelligent crop variety identification, providing a novel paradigm with strong potential for application in precision breeding and germplasm resource management.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsレタス葉画像からDUS形質を抽出・定量化する画像解析パイプラインを開発し、709画像で評価しており、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractwe propose a high-precision phenotypic trait extraction pipeline and introduce an interpretable phenotypic fingerprinting framework for lettuce subgroup identification.

Leveraging time-series point clouds for dynamic crop canopy monitoring: Quantifying phenotypic variability and assessing leaf-level photosynthetic contributions. →

Time-series point clouds have emerged as an effective approach for precise, continuous crop monitoring and quantitative growth analysis. This study constructed a spatiotime-series point cloud dataset containing four species and eleven plant varieties, exploring crop organ instance segmentation, phenotypic parameter extraction, growth quantification, and canopy photosynthesis assessment. A skeleton-based framework for organ-level instance segmentation and time-series analysis is proposed, demonstrating robust performance across all four crops. To fully utilize the time-series data, a novel time-series leaf matching method was introduced, achieving a matching accuracy, defined as the proportion of correctly matched leaves, of over 0.823 for all species. By integrating the matching results with phenotypic parameter extraction, time-series phenotypic data were generated, and a phenotypic variation rate was defined as a suitable metric for quantifying crop growth. Furthermore, these results were integrated into a canopy photosynthesis model to derive key time-series photosynthetic metrics, including photosynthetic rate, absorbed light quantity, light energy utilization efficiency, and each crop organ's contribution to photosynthesis. These metrics provide insights into the crop's growth patterns and photosynthetic strategy. This study offers refined quantitative analysis of crop morphology and photosynthetic parameters through time-series point cloud segmentation, contributing valuable data for advancing plant biology research and enhancing the understanding of crop growth dynamics.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods時系列点群から作物器官をセグメンテーションし、葉追跡、形態形質、成長量、光合成関連指標を抽出する手法が研究の中心であるため。

abstractA skeleton-based framework for organ-level instance segmentation and time-series analysis is proposed

CLIP-Guided Multi-Task Regression for Multi-View Plant Phenotyping →

Modeling plant growth dynamics plays a central role in modern agricultural research. However, learning robust predictors from multi-view plant imagery remains challenging due to strong viewpoint redundancy and viewpoint-dependent appearance changes. We propose a level-aware vision language framework that jointly predicts plant age and leaf count using a single multi-task model built on CLIP embeddings. Our method aggregates rotational views into angle-invariant representations and conditions visual features on lightweight text priors encoding viewpoint level for stable prediction under incomplete or unordered inputs. On the GroMo25 benchmark, our approach reduces mean age MAE from 7.74 to 3.91 and mean leaf-count MAE from 5.52 to 3.08 compared to the GroMo baseline, corresponding to improvements of 49.5% and 44.2%, respectively. The unified formulation simplifies the pipeline by replacing the conventional dual-model setup while improving robustness to missing views. The models and code is available at: https://github.com/SimonWarmers/CLIP-MVP

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物画像から葉数・植物齢を推定するマルチビュー表現学習手法を開発し、ベンチマークで性能評価しており、表現型取得・推定が研究の中心である。

abstractWe propose a level-aware vision language framework that jointly predicts plant age and leaf count using a single multi-task model built on CLIP embeddings.

A LiDAR-based machine vision dataset for online volume measurement of sweetpotatoes. →

Volume is an important shape descriptor in postharvest quality evaluation and breeding programs of sweetpotatoes and is also valuable for other agricultural engineering applications. Traditional volume measurement methods based on water displacement are, however, laborious, destructive, and unsuitable for high-throughput online scenarios. To address this gap, this dataset was developed to support the advancement of non-destructive, automated online volume estimation using a LiDAR (light detection and ranging)-based three-dimensional (3-D) machine vision system. A total of 200 sweetpotato storage roots of the cultivar "Beauregard" were collected for constructing a 3-D multi-view imagery dataset. Each sample was imaged online using a short-range LiDAR camera (Intel RealSense™ L515) while traveling on a custom-built roller conveyor system that enables simultaneous translation and rotation for full-surface coverage. The curated dataset comprises raw color images (1280 × 720 pixels, .png format) and corresponding raw and segmented point clouds (1280 × 720 pixels, .laz format) for individual samples, alongside the reference volume measurements obtained using the standard water displacement method. In addition, to illustrate the modeling pipeline for volume prediction, the dataset provides the extracted geometric features derived from the segmented two-dimensional (2-D) masks and point clouds, and volume prediction results obtained through regression modeling. As the first publicly available LiDAR-based dataset for sweetpotato volume estimation, this dataset provides a valuable resource for developing and validating image processing pipelines, optimizing machine learning models, and advancing 3-D vision technologies for non-destructive, rapid measurement of the volume of irregularly shaped agricultural products.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsサツマイモ貯蔵根の体積という植物器官形質をLiDAR 3D画像から推定する公開データセットであり、取得系・参照測定・特徴抽出・予測結果を含むため、フェノタイピング手法とデータセットが中心です。

abstractthis dataset was developed to support the advancement of non-destructive, automated online volume estimation using a LiDAR (light detection and ranging)-based three-dimensional (3-D) machine vision system.

Synthetic-augmented multimodal deep learning fuses dual-angle RGB images and phenology to unlock genotype-informative canopy structural trait in wheat. →

The wheat canopy genome harbors abundant yet untapped genetic variation that could be harnessed to enhance yield potential. The green area index (GAI) is a structural metric that reflects the photosynthetically active canopy surface and is closely linked to final grain yield. Current image-based GAI retrieval methods often suffer from signal saturation and coarse structural depiction, constraining downstream genetic analyses. To address this limitation, we constructed a comprehensive image dataset spanning eight field experiments across China and France, encompassing approximately 600 genotypes under six distinct management regimes. Leveraging this diverse data, we developed a multimodal deep-learning framework augmented by simulated-to-realistic (sim2real) synthetic data transfer. This framework fuses nadir and oblique RGB images with accumulated thermal time to produce high-precision, time-series GAI estimates. Validated on independent testing datasets from both China and France, the multimodal approach demonstrated robust performance with an accuracy of R 2 = 0.88 and an RMSE of 0.49 m 2 m -2 , representing an improvement of about 22% over the traditional gap fraction method. In three site-year field experiments involving 565 genotypes, the GAI dynamics derived from the multimodal approach showed higher broad-sense heritability (0.20-0.48) than those from the gap fraction approach (0.02-0.13) and stronger genotypic correlations with yield (0.19-0.40 versus 0.09-0.31). Furthermore, genetic analysis confirmed the biological fidelity of the estimated traits, identifying loci that co-localize with known architectural regulators such as Rht-D1 , TaTB1-4D , and TaBGC1-4D . Consistently, the multimodal-derived phenotypes were specifically enriched in cell-wall remodeling and hormonal signaling pathways (e.g., brassinosteroid) that directly regulate canopy expansion. Overall, the proposed method offers a powerful tool for unlocking genetic gain in canopy architecture and accelerating canopy-targeted wheat improvement.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsデュアルアングルRGB画像と熱時間を統合してGAIを推定する深層学習法を開発し、独立データで検証しているため、植物形質取得法が研究の中心です。

abstractwe constructed a comprehensive image dataset spanning eight field experiments across China and France

High-Throughput Phenotyping for Revealing Key Morpho-Physiological Traits for Drought Tolerance in Pea (Pisum sativum and Wild Relatives). →

Pea (Pisum sativum) production is challenged by drought stress. Traditional methods for assessing drought tolerance are limited, and high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) can facilitate the rapid and automated assessment of plant traits. Herein, 180 Pisum spp. accessions were evaluated using an indoor HTP platform under two irrigation treatments, control (70% field capacity) and drought stress (30% field capacity), for 50 days. A combination of digital phenotyping via imaging and manual measurements was used to analyse biomass-related, architectural, and physiological traits. Drought conditions resulted in significant reductions in biomass-related traits including fresh weight (47%), total leaf area (43%), and dry weight (41%). In contrast, PSII photochemical efficiency, leaf weight ratio, and solidity showed negative sensitivity index values (ranging from -7% to -1%), indicating comparatively lower sensitivity to drought and suggesting relative stability of these traits under water-limited conditions. The high heritability value for water use efficiency (0.87) suggests that this parameter may be useful for distinguishing pea's responses to suboptimal soil moisture levels. Principal component analysis (PCA) highlighted patterns of trait variation and associations among biomass-related traits, such as fresh weight, dry weight, and leaf area, which were sensitive to drought conditions. This suggests that the plants may use a combination of strategies to cope with water limitations. Furthermore, studying the significant variation in drought response among the diverse Pisum species and subspecies revealed distinct adaptation strategies. These findings support the development of crops that are resilient to the negative effects of climate change.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods屋内HTPプラットフォームと画像ベースのデジタルフェノタイピングを用いて、多数アクセッションの形態・生理形質を取得・解析しており、フェノタイピング手法の実質的な適用が研究の中心です。

abstracthigh-throughput phenotyping (HTP) can facilitate the rapid and automated assessment of plant traits

Evolution of crop phenotypic spaces through domestication. →

We used domestication as an in vivo replicated experiment to investigate how divergent selection has shaped the evolution of multivariate phenotypic spaces. We measured 11-57 qualitative and quantitative traits in 13 species, either unique or shared between species, and established a framework for cross-species comparisons. Our results revealed significant convergence that translated into a cross-species domestication syndrome. Most species exhibited a reduction of the multivariate phenotypic space during domestication. We brought evidence that Near-Infrared spectra measured on leaves reflect phenotypic evolution unrelated to domestication, enabling its use as a control for sampling effects across species. Building on this, we developed a multivariate phenotypic divergence index (mPDI) to rank species by the extent of phenotypic divergence under domestication. We found a high disjunction of wild and domestic phenotypic spaces in all species. Neither the mPDI nor the relative size of wild vs domestic multivariate phenotypic spaces was influenced by the domestication timing or mating system. Lastly, we observed a progressive decoupling of trait correlations with increasing time since domestication. In addition to introducing a new index that can be applied for cross-species comparisons, our study uncovers recurring patterns shared among species, pointing to general principles underlying plant domestication.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods多変量形質空間を比較する枠組みと新しいmPDI指標を開発しており、植物形質の統合・比較手法が明示的な貢献であるため。

abstractestablished a framework for cross-species comparisons

Contrasting Root System Architecture Development and Response to High Temperature in an Aegilops tauschii-Derived Wheat Line and its Recurrent Parent →

The Multiple Synthetic Derivatives (MSD) population is a unique hexaploid wheat resource that captures extensive genetic diversity from Aegilops tauschii and exhibits wide variation in agronomic traits. However, root system architecture (RSA), a key determinant of resource acquisition and stress adaptation, remains poorly characterized in this population. Here, we established a practical phenotyping framework for RSA analysis and evaluated MSD417 as a representative genotype. A two-dimensional cultivation platform enabling continuous imaging of seedling root growth under controlled conditions was established to quantify RSA traits and their responses to high temperatures. MSD417 was compared with its recurrent parent, Norin 61 (N61). Under controlled conditions, MSD417 displayed greater total root length, root system width, and convex hull area than N61, indicating enhanced early root vigor. This genotype also exhibited a wider seminal root angle, suggesting improved horizontal soil exploration while maintaining root depth. High-temperature treatment reduced overall root growth and minimized genotypic differences, indicating that temperature stress constrains RSA expression. Microscopic observations further revealed a lower height-to-width ratio of coleorhiza tissue of MSD417, suggesting restricted downward expansion. Collectively, this study establishes a practical framework for RSA phenotyping and demonstrates the potential of Aegilops tauschii-derived germplasm to enhance wheat root-related adaptive traits.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods根系構造を連続画像化して定量する2次元表現型解析プラットフォームを構築し、RSA形質の測定に実質的に適用しているため、方法が中心的である。

abstractHere, we established a practical phenotyping framework for RSA analysis and evaluated MSD417 as a representative genotype.

A field-acquired RGB-Depth image dataset for computer vision-based baby broccoli detection and size estimation under varying illumination conditions. →

This data article describes a curated RGB-Depth image dataset captured using an Intel RealSense D435 stereo depth camera mounted on an autonomous mobile platform during field deployments at commercial baby broccoli farms in Victoria, Australia. The dataset comprises 1759 paired RGB images (640 × 480 pixels) and corresponding 16-bit depth frames acquired under both daytime (natural sunlight) and night-time (LED illumination) conditions, designed to support research in agricultural computer vision and robotic harvesting. Images were selected from 39,765 raw acquisitions through a reproducible Python curation pipeline applying quality filtering (blur detection, brightness thresholds, corruption detection), perceptual hash-based duplicate removal, and manual review. The final dataset includes 924 daytime and 835 night-time image pairs containing baby broccoli plants at various growth stages. The dataset provides RGB camera intrinsic parameters and pixel-aligned depth maps to enable 3D point cloud reconstruction. Potential applications include developing deep learning models for crop detection and segmentation, validating depth-based size estimation methods, and benchmarking illumination-robust vision systems. All data and curation code are publicly available under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsRGB-Depth画像データセットの構築と再現可能なキュレーションを中心とし、作物検出に加えてサイズ推定という植物形質の評価・ベンチマークに利用できるため。

titleA field-acquired RGB-Depth image dataset for computer vision-based baby broccoli detection and size estimation under varying illumination conditions.

Quantifying wheat spike morphology by high resolution 3D surface scanning →

Abstract An understanding of spike shape will be of great benefit for improving wheat yields. Traditional manual measurements of spike traits are slow and prone to human error, preventing large-scale phenotyping. Employing imaging techniques will allow researchers to measure multiple morphometric parameters simultaneously. While 2D imaging provides a rapid screening method, 3D imaging offer a more comprehensive understanding of spike shape, revealing complex external structures. This study addresses the challenge of developing a high-resolution 3D surface-scanning pipeline to accurately quantify wheat spike morphology across diverse genotypes. Using a 3D surface-scanner, sharp point clouds of individual spikes were reconstructed and automatically aligned and analysed to extract key morphological features including spike length, volume, and thickness profile. New shape descriptors based on thickness profiles, local extremes, statistical curve fitting, segmentation of spikes into zones of aborted spikelets, base and apical segments as well as the extraction of spike/spikelets branching and endpoints of components were introduced to capture detailed structural variation between genotypes. Correlations between the 3D-derived traits and traditional metrics such as spike weight, spikelet number and seed weight confirmed the biological relevance of the extracted parameters. The method distinguished morphological differences among twelve wheat genotypes, revealing distinct shape types such as long, short, compact, and awned spikes. By combining precise 3D imaging with computational analysis, this approach provides a non-destructive framework for spike phenotyping. These findings demonstrate that 3D surface-scanning can deliver accurate and reproducible measurements of wheat spike architecture, offering new opportunities for linking morphology with genetics and yield potential in modern breeding programs.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods小麦穂の形態形質を3D画像から抽出するパイプラインを開発し、形質の相関・遺伝子型間比較で検証しており、表現型取得法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study addresses the challenge of developing a high-resolution 3D surface-scanning pipeline to accurately quantify wheat spike morphology across diverse genotypes.

PlantCV v4: Image analysis software for high‐throughput plant phenotyping →

Abstract PlantCV is an open‐source Python project aimed at developing tools to address a range of image‐based, plant phenotyping questions. PlantCV has been used for more than 10 years to automate trait collection from image data, and the newest release, PlantCV version 4, continues to lower the barrier to entry for users without substantial coding experience through extensive example use‐case tutorials and simplified installation. In addition to usability, we document added functionality since the release of PlantCV v2, including support for more image types such as fluorescence, thermal, and hyperspectral data. Finally, we describe the development of a new subpackage focused on morphological trait measurements like leaf angle, and demonstrate its utility as compared to more manual methods of data collection.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsPlantCV v4は、画像から植物形質を自動抽出するオープンソースソフトウェアの開発・機能拡張・比較評価を主題としており、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractPlantCV is an open‐source Python project aimed at developing tools to address a range of image‐based, plant phenotyping questions.

Synchronized UAV multi-angle inversion of canopy structure parameters in wheat breeding materials. →

Estimating canopy structure - leaf inclination distribution (LIDFa), leaf area index (LAI), and fractional vegetation cover (FCover) - is vital for breeding, yet the added value of multi-angular UAV sensing over nadir-only baselines remains insufficiently quantified. This study developed a UAV-based multi-angular inversion framework that derived high-resolution bidirectional reflectance factors (BRF) from oblique photogrammetry and fitted a kernel-driven BRDF model to characterize reflectance anisotropy. Using transfer learning across cultivars and dates, we compared the retrieval performance of multi-angle versus nadir-only baselines for LIDFa, LAI, and FCover. BRDF model simulations agreed well with airborne BRF (optimal R 2 > 0.80, RRMSE R 2 = 0.59 vs. 0.38 for the best MA and NAD models, respectively) and LIDFa ( R 2 = 0.46 vs. 0.37). For FCover, both configurations achieved high accuracy ( R 2 ≥ 0.73), with MA models providing marginal gains ( R 2 = 0.75). Methodologically, CNN-based transfer learning proved most effective for LAI and FCover, while a Random Forest model using raw multi-angle spectra yielded the best results for LIDFa. Optimal viewing configurations were trait-dependent, generally favoring forward scattering directions with zenith angles between 15° and 45°. These results indicate that kernel-driven BRDF modeling effectively captures spectral anisotropy in dense wheat canopies, and that multi-angular observations provide a distinct advantage for retrieving structural parameters with complex scattering behaviors, such as LAI and LIDFa.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods小麦育種材料のキャノピー構造形質を対象に、UAVマルチアングルセンシング、BRDFモデル、CNN/RFによる推定フレームワークを開発・比較しており、形質取得手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study developed a UAV-based multi-angular inversion framework that derived high-resolution bidirectional reflectance factors (BRF) from oblique photogrammetry and fitted a kernel-driven BRDF model to characterize reflectance anisotropy.

OpenEar: an ultra-affordable, high-throughput, and accurate maize ear phenotyping system. →

Crop phenotyping of important agronomic traits in field conditions at single-plant resolution has long been a major bottleneck in both genetic analysis (e.g. large-scale association/linkage analysis) and breeding applications (e.g. genomic prediction/selection). Despite growing interest, ultra-affordable, high-throughput and accurate phenotyping tools for maize ears remain limited. Here, we developed OpenEar, an open source, low-cost phenotyping system that combines a DIY maize ear imaging platform with a deep learning-based end-to-end phenotypic data extraction pipeline. The imaging platform is composed of 3D-printed parts and electronics components easily available from local retailers to perform high-quality 360° surface scanning of maize ears. Our pipeline first employs CNN-based models to identify normally-developed ears suitable for phenotyping, followed by reliable segmentation of ears and ear surface projection images by YOLOv11-based models, from which ten key traits are subsequently extracted. OpenEar demonstrates reliable agreement with manual measurements across a diverse set of ear- and kernel-related traits, including ear length ( R 2 = 0.972), ear diameter ( R 2 = 0.905), ear volume ( R 2 = 0.976), ear weight ( R 2 = 0.878), kernel number ( R 2 = 0.98), kernel row number ( R 2 = 0.888), kernel number per row ( R 2 = 0.852), kernel thickness ( R 2 = 0.705), kernel width ( R 2 = 0.515), and thousand kernel weight ( R 2 = 0.605). A user-friendly graphical interface is developed for manual inspection of ears after computer annotation. Manually annotated ear videos and images are publicly released as a resource for the crop phenomics community. Our study highlights the potential of DIY-based low-cost solutions to make phenotyping more accessible in crop genetic analysis and breeding.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsトウモロコシ穂の画像取得・深層学習による形質抽出システムを開発し、手動測定との一致を検証しており、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心です。

abstractwe developed OpenEar, an open source, low-cost phenotyping system that combines a DIY maize ear imaging platform with a deep learning-based end-to-end phenotypic data extraction pipeline.

Fine-grained 3D rice phenotyping via multi-scale NeRF and multimodal segmentation. →

Fine-grained 3D phenotypic analysis of rice plays a vital role in rice breeding and yield estimation. However, a comprehensive rice data acquisition and segmentation pipeline is still lacking. While Neural Radiance Fields (NeRF) have shown impressive results in crop-level 3D reconstruction, their high sensitivity to data volume and camera viewpoints often leads to reconstruction failures for rice. In addition, the large-scale rice point clouds, coupled with heavy occlusion and visual similarity among grains, pose significant challenges for fine-grained trait extraction. To address the challenge of reconstructing rice point clouds under low-quality data conditions, we propose a novel method named Multi-Scale NeRF(MSNeRF). This method incorporates a structure-detail collaborative reconstruction mechanism and a dynamic initialization density scheduling strategy. Furthermore, we introduce a multimodal and multitask rice dataset (MMR) as a benchmark resource for future research. For rice point cloud segmentation, we develop Vision Rice Knowledge Graph Network(VRKGNet), which comprises an image segmentation module, a projection module, and a point cloud segmentation module enhanced with a Transformer to enlarge the receptive field. VRKGNet performs standalone point cloud segmentation and integrates image segmentation results from multiple viewpoints as prior knowledge to enhance semantic and instance-level segmentation. Extensive experiments demonstrate that MSNeRF achieves high-fidelity point cloud reconstruction with as few as 10 viewpoints. VRKGNet achieves superior rice plant segmentation with a semantic segmentation mIoU of 88.79% and an instance segmentation AP 25 of 84.55%, outperforming mainstream algorithms.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods米の3D形質取得・再構成・分割を中核とする手法開発であり、データセット／ベンチマークも提供しているため、植物フェノタイピング手法文献に該当する。

abstractwe propose a novel method named Multi-Scale NeRF(MSNeRF)

Branch architecture reconstruction and phenotypic trait analysis of poplar trees using low-cost UAV LiDAR point clouds. →

Poplars are essential to China's forestry, contributing to timber production, ecological restoration, and shelterbelt construction. Branch architecture critically influences tree growth, demanding scalable solutions beyond manual methods to assess phenotypic variation in large-scale poplar breeding programs. Unmanned aerial vehicle light detection and ranging (UAV LiDAR) provides an efficient alternative; however, existing methods focus on conifers, leaving a gap in approaches for the more complex morphology of poplar branches. This study proposes a poplar branch reconstruction algorithm utilizing material transport flux and object-level geometric features from low-cost UAV LiDAR data. First, a voxel-based near-centroid method is used to extract skeleton points from tree point clouds. Next, a material transport flux model identifies individual branches, and geometric features of transport paths, including path length and curvature, are used to reconstruct each branch. Finally, branch parameters are estimated based on reconstructed branches. Data from a 5-ha plot were collected using the DJI Zenmuse L1 UAV LiDAR at the Shishou National Poplar Breeding Station, Hubei Province, China. Results demonstrate the proposed algorithm achieves high accuracy in first-order branch identification (F1-score = 1), with second-order branches having an average F1-score of 0.69. Branch length estimation demonstrates an RMSE of 0.47 m, while branch angles show an RMSE of 7.06°. The study also reveals structural variability in branch traits, with the highest variability observed in the second-order branch length (coefficient of variation = 29.68%), and a moderate positive correlation between first- and second-order branch lengths (correlation coefficient = 0.34), providing insights into tree growth patterns. This approach offers a framework for high-throughput phenotyping, which provides an efficient solution towrads advanced tree breeding using UAV LiDAR.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV LiDARによるポプラの枝構造再構成と枝長・枝角度などの形質推定アルゴリズムを開発し、精度検証まで行っており、フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study proposes a poplar branch reconstruction algorithm utilizing material transport flux and object-level geometric features from low-cost UAV LiDAR data.

Dual-guided asymmetric MP-former for rice root instance segmentation. →

Root phenotypic traits such as length and number are critical indicators of plant growth and productivity. However, accurate extraction of these traits remains challenging due to the slender morphology, dense overlap, and frequent occlusion within root systems. Traditional digital image processing methods suffer from low throughput and limited robustness, while most deep learning-based approaches rely on semantic segmentation, which fails to distinguish individual roots and therefore limits their applicability in instance-level phenotypic analysis.To address these limitations, we propose Dual-Guided Asymmetric MP-Former (DGA-MP-Former), a novel instance segmentation model tailored for root phenotyping, with rice roots as a representative case. Building upon the MP-Former framework, our model introduces two key components: the Guided-Enhancement Pixel Decoder (GEPD) and the Asymmetric Dual-Query Decoder (ADQD). The GEPD enhances multi-scale feature representations via Hybrid Convolution Aggregator, Semantic-Guided Fusion Module and Frequency-Guided Feature Enhancement Module, effectively capturing fine root structures and low-contrast regions. ADQD employs asymmetric interaction between semantic and instance queries to improve long-range dependency modeling and instance separation in occluded scenarios.Additionally, we present the Rice Root Segmentation Dataset (RRSD), comprising of 343 high-resolution images with instance-level annotations. Experimental results show that DGA-MP-Former achieves state-of-the-art performance on RRSD, with 57.2% AP 0.5:0.95 and 87.4% AP 0.5 . Importantly, the accurate instance segmentation results enable reliable computation of instance-level geometric traits, such as root perimeter and area. To quantitatively assess phenotypic measurement accuracy, Relative Area Error (RAE) and Relative Perimeter Error (RPE) are further introduced, achieving 26.4% and 20.2%, respectively. These results demonstrate that the proposed method effectively bridges instance segmentation accuracy and phenotypic quantification reliability, supporting high-throughput and precise root phenotyping.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsイネ根の個体別セグメンテーションモデルを開発し、データセット提供、性能評価、および根の形態形質推定まで行っており、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractwe propose Dual-Guided Asymmetric MP-Former (DGA-MP-Former), a novel instance segmentation model tailored for root phenotyping

Disentangling blade and vasculature shape in grapevine leaves →

The leaf blade and vasculature develop together within a shared morphological space. Despite shared molecular patterning pathways, it is unknown if developmental and evolutionary variation affect these tissues separately or together in a coordinated way. Grapevine leaves have a morphometric history and abundant data measuring the shape of the blade and vasculature together. Using a combination of topological data analysis and deep learning, we perform reciprocal semantic segmentation of leaf blade and vasculature. Each tissue contains sufficient information to predict the other. We hypothesize that this is due to a one-to-one relationship between blade and vein. Using thin plate splines to swap and warp different combinations of blade and vein shapes, we show that a set of leaves with a many-to-one relationship of blade and vein are distinguishable from true leaves. We also swap blade and vein across the developmental series and between species and show that only reversing the developmental series disrupts the relationship between blade and vasculature. We end by discussing the evolutionary and developmental implications that there is a unique, one-to-one mapping between blade and vein that allows each to be predicted from the other. Author summary Leaves are made of two closely connected parts: the flat blade that captures light and the network of veins that transports water, nutrients, and developmental signals. Although these tissues grow together and share common molecular patterning pathways, it has remained unclear whether a particular blade shape is uniquely linked to a specific vein pattern. In this study, we use grapevine leaves as a model system and combine mathematical shape analysis with deep learning to examine this relationship. We show that the shape of the blade alone can accurately predict the vein network, and that the vein network can likewise predict the blade. This finding suggests a near one-to-one relationship between these two tissues. To test this idea, we created artificial leaves in which blade and vein shapes were deliberately mismatched. Although these synthetic leaves appeared realistic at a global level, a neural network was able to distinguish them from real leaves based on subtle differences. We further show that this tight coupling is maintained by the developmental sequence of leaf growth rather than by species identity, revealing a conserved constraint linking leaf form and internal structure.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods葉身と葉脈の形状を深層学習による相互セグメンテーションと形状解析で抽出・予測する方法が研究の中心であり、植物形態表現型の方法開発に該当する。

abstractUsing a combination of topological data analysis and deep learning, we perform reciprocal semantic segmentation of leaf blade and vasculature.

Genetic dynamics drive maize growth and breeding. →

BACKGROUND: Phenotypic diversity arises from the process of development and is shaped by genomic variation in plants. However, the genetic basis of growth dynamics remains poorly understood in maize. RESULTS: Here, we analyze 679 maize inbred lines derived from a synthetic CUBIC population with approximately 2.8 million SNPs, leveraging high-throughput phenotyping to capture 1,002,240 RGB images across 18 growth stages. We quantify 67 image-based traits (i-traits), revealing distinct dynamic patterns throughout development. Genome-wide association studies identify 857 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) influencing growth variation, with 88.6% classified as period-specific dynamic QTLs exhibiting modest effects, and 11.4% as conservative QTLs with sustained effects. Notably, 1.5% of cryptic pleiotropic QTLs spanning different growth stages suggest genetic relocations during development. These QTLs enhance heritability estimates for mature traits by an average of 6.2%. We further characterize the novel function of key genes linked with these QTLs, including BRD1 with the pleiotropic effects on plant height and perimeter of convex hull and ZmGalOx1 with the broad-spectrum regulation of plant architecture. Developmental rewiring of epistatic networks shapes maize growth, underscoring the vitality of temporal genetic regulation. Trajectory modeling of i-traits across periods decodes the growth variation patterns, supporting the ontogenic hypothesis driven predictive breeding strategies. CONCLUSION: The findings elucidate the genetic architecture underlying growth dynamics from a spatial-temporal perspective, offering novel insights for maize improvement.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods大規模RGB画像から67の画像形質を抽出し、発育段階ごとのトレイト動態を解析する高スループット植物表現型解析が研究の中核であるため、方法応用として収録する。

abstractleveraging high-throughput phenotyping to capture 1,002,240 RGB images across 18 growth stages

Generalizability and transferability of machine learning models using hyperspectral reflectance data for maize traits. →

Hyperspectral reflectance provides rapid, non-destructive phenotyping of plant leaves. These data have been used to develop machine learning models for predicting diverse plant traits, yet key challenges remain. We collected hyperspectral reflectance data together with 25 anatomical, gas exchange, and chlorophyll fluorescence traits from 320 recombinant inbred lines grown over three seasons. Using these data, we systematically (1) compare the performance of PLSR and SVR across a wide range of traits, including also slow fluorescence kinetics, (2) assess model generalizability and transferability, and (3) investigate how different aggregation strategies affect predictive accuracy. Based on a nested cross-validation framework, single cross-validation with MSE as metric performed comparably to repeated cross-validation or PRESS-based calibration. Optimal performance of trait-specific predictions was found to be dependent on the combination of model and data aggregation levels. Structural and biochemical traits showed the best generalizability and transferability, whereas physiological traits, particularly those derived from gas exchange and fluorescence kinetics, exhibited markedly reduced transferability. Together, these results provide a rigorous benchmark for evaluating machine learning models for trait prediction from hyperspectral reflectance data, and highlight both the opportunities and limitations for achieving robust generalization across diverse environments and genotypes.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsハイパースペクトル反射データから植物形質を予測する機械学習手法を、複数形質・環境・遺伝子型で系統的に比較し、一般化性と転移性を厳密にベンチマークしているため、方法論が中心である。

abstractHyperspectral reflectance provides rapid, non-destructive phenotyping of plant leaves.

The Tonoplast Topology Index-a new metric for describing vacuole organization. →

Background The plant vacuole arises by orchestrated interplay of membrane trafficking, cytoskeletal rearrangements and a variety of signaling pathways. In the root, the characteristic large central vacuole develops by endomembrane reorganization occurring mainly in the transition zone. The vacuole's bounding membrane-the tonoplast-can be visualized in vivo using fluorescent protein markers, allowing for quantitative analysis of confocal microscopy images. Tonoplast organization can thus serve as a sensitive indicator of changes to any of the processes involved in vacuole biogenesis. The Vacuolar Morphology Index (VMI) is widely accepted as a quantitative measure of vacuole structure. However, this metric has two drawbacks-it only reflects the size of the largest vacuolar compartment (missing therefore possible differences in the organization of smaller compartments), and its determination is labor intensive, limiting its use on large datasets. Results We developed an alternative metric for describing vacuole organization, named the Tonoplast Topology Index (TTI), which overcomes the above-mentioned shortcomings of the VMI. We compared the performance of our protocol with VMI on a simulated dataset and on real data. To validate the methods´ performance, we used it to confirm the previously reported differences in vacuole shape and size between Arabidopsis thaliana roots grown on the surface of an agar medium compared to those embedded inside the agar. Both VMI and TTI could efficiently detect the relatively subtle changes in vacuole organization depending on the position of the root in the agar, and provided correlated results. However, only TTI produced data with close to normal value distribution, simplifying subsequent statistical evaluation. Conclusions We present the protocol for TTI determination as a two-stage semi-automated procedure involving microscopic image analysis employing an ImageJ macro and subsequent processing of numeric data in the Jupyter Notebook environment, together with benchmarking image data. Since this implementation is freeware-based, platform-independent and (relatively) user-friendly, we hope it will find its use as a high throughput, added value alternative to the VMI metric.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物液胞構造を定量化する新規指標と半自動画像解析プロトコルを開発し、シミュレーションおよび実画像で既存指標と比較・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。

abstractWe developed an alternative metric for describing vacuole organization, named the Tonoplast Topology Index (TTI)

Stem microanatomical phenomic uncovers a potential role for ZmLSM2 in regulating maize stem bending strength. →

Modern maize stems possess a well-developed vascular bundle system, which is critical for providing mechanical support and lodging resistance. However, characterization of the microanatomical features of vascular bundles and their functional implications in stem mechanics remains challenging, primarily due to technical limitations in high-throughput microanatomical analysis of stem tissues. We thus constructed data sets consisting of over 500,000 maize stem CT images from a maize diversity panel of 383 inbred lines. We evaluated 32 microanatomical phenotypes of maize basal internodes across two environments in different years. By incorporating engineering mechanics parameters, we calculated novel characteristics of the vascular bundles, including the moment of area (MOA) and the polar moment of inertia (PMOI). Through the high-density phenotypic data set, we identified multiple stem microanatomical phenotypes strongly associated with lodging resistance, particularly of vascular bundle mechanical traits. By integrating population genetic profiling, we discovered and confirmed that ZmLSM2 (U6 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein specific Sm-like 2) serves as a key regulator of stem mechanical strength, might function in RNA processing and maturation within vascular stem cells, identifying novel genetic targets for improving maize lodging resistance. This approach demonstrates the value of combining advanced phenotyping with multi-omics analyses for crop improvement. These discoveries will deepen the understanding of plant stem biomechanical principles and provide novel targets for enhancing lodging resistance in crop breeding programs.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsトウモロコシ茎のCT画像から微細構造形質を高スループットに抽出する表現型解析基盤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。

abstracttechnical limitations in high-throughput microanatomical analysis of stem tissues

High-density field-based 3D reconstruction of rice architecture across diverse cultivars for genome-wide association studies →

Background Rice plant architecture underpins yield and grain quality, yet two obstacles impede accurate field characterization in dense paddies. First, single-plant reconstruction is constrained by severe inter-plant occlusion, cluttered backgrounds, and limited viewpoints. These factors obscure culms, leaves, basal tillers, and the true physical scale of the plant. Active ranging devices are cumbersome in outdoor plots and can lose accuracy, whereas conventional passive photogrammetry performs poorly under such conditions. Second, delineating panicles within a 3D rice model is intrinsically difficult. Panicles are slender, highly branched, and visually similar to surrounding foliage, often interwoven and partially hidden. These factors result in fragmented boundaries and missing details. Direct point-cloud segmentation struggles with such discontinuous geometry and requires costly 3D annotation, whereas generic image segmentation models trained on natural scenes transfer poorly to paddy imagery. These challenges motivate a field-ready workflow that both reconstructs whole plants at high resolution in dense plantings and reliably segments panicles to enable trait extraction. Results A low-cost, in-field, multi-view pipeline for whole-plant three-dimensional reconstruction, termed One Stop 3D Target Reconstruction And segmentation (OSTRA), operates on color images with a reference-board setup. The pipeline builds detailed three-dimensional models of individual rice plants and automatically segments key organs (in this case, panicles), despite dense surrounding vegetation. When applied to 231 diverse rice landraces grown in a crowded field setting, the method produced high-fidelity plant models with clearly delineated panicle structures. From these reconstructions, three architectural traits were derived: plant height, leaf area, and panicle length. Genome-wide association analysis of the measured traits identified strong genotype-phenotype associations tagging known candidate genes. Natural variants at D2 and RFL/APO2 were associated with plant height variation, variants at FLW7 were linked to differences in leaf area, and allelic variation at AAI1 corresponded to panicle length variation. These loci are established regulators of plant growth and morphology, indicating that this three-dimensional phenotyping pipeline attains accuracy sufficient to rediscover meaningful genetic signals. Conclusions This study provides a practical tool for precise rice phenotyping even under dense field planting conditions, overcoming occlusion and structural complexity. By enabling non-destructive, field-based measurement of complete plant architecture and linking these phenotypes to specific genes, the pipeline bridges field phenomics and genomics. The integrated reconstruction and analysis framework advances the study of rice architecture and offers a general route to connect complex traits with their genetic determinants.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods密植圃場でのイネ全体3D再構築、器官分割、形質抽出を中核とする画像ベース表現型解析手法の開発・実証であり、明確に収載対象。

abstractA low-cost, in-field, multi-view pipeline for whole-plant three-dimensional reconstruction, termed One Stop 3D Target Reconstruction And segmentation (OSTRA), operates on color images with a reference-board setup.

OctoSplat: Hybrid OctoMap-Gaussian Splatting for Active Semantic Mapping and Phenotyping with Horticultural Robots →

Semantic reconstruction of agricultural scenes plays a vital role in tasks such as phenotyping and yield estimation. However, traditional approaches based on manual scanning or fixed camera setups remain a major bottleneck, while active-mapping methods based solely on occupancy grids are too coarse for accurate trait estimation. To address this gap, we propose an active 3D reconstruction framework for horticultural environments using a mobile manipulator. The system integrates OctoMap with 3D Gaussian Splatting to enable accurate and efficient target-aware mapping. A low-resolution OctoMap provides probabilistic occupancy information for informative viewpoint selection and collision-free planning, while 3D Gaussian Splatting leverages geometric, photometric, and semantic information to optimize 3D Gaussians for high-fidelity scene reconstruction. We further introduce a robust mapping strategy that mitigates semantic segmentation and depth noise, together with a background pruning method that reduces memory and computational cost. We validate our framework across simulated, laboratory, and real greenhouse scenes, showing consistent improvements across three state-of-the-art Gaussian Splatting backbones. In simulation, where ground-truth geometry is available, our approach outperforms occupancy-based mapping in both reconstruction accuracy and runtime efficiency: compared with a 0.01m-resolution OctoMap, it doubles the fruit-level F1 score under noisy conditions while achieving up to a threefold reduction in runtime. Beyond simulation, novel-view synthesis quality also improves consistently in laboratory and real greenhouse environments, with PSNR and mIoU improving by up to 1.5 dB and 18%, respectively. Finally, the reconstructed semantic maps enable fruit counting and volume estimation with accuracies approaching 80%.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods園芸ロボット向けの3D再構成・能動マッピング手法を開発し、果実の計数・体積推定という植物形質の取得に適用・検証しているため、フェノタイピング手法が中心的です。

titleOctoSplat: Hybrid OctoMap-Gaussian Splatting for Active Semantic Mapping and Phenotyping with Horticultural Robots

A Biomass-Driven 3D Structural Model for Banana (Musa spp.) Fruit Fingers Across Genotypes →

Banana (Musa spp.) fruit morphology is a key determinant of yield and quality, yet modeling its 3D structural dynamics across genotypes remains difficult. To address this challenge, we developed a generic, biomass-driven 3D structural model for banana fruit fingers that quantitatively links growth and morphology. Field experiments were conducted over two growing seasons in Hainan, China, using three representative genotypes. Morphological traits, including outer and inner arc length, circumference, and pedicel length, along with dry (Wd) and fresh weight (Wf), were measured every 10 days after flowering until 110 days. Quantitative relationships between morphological traits and Wf, as well as between Wd and Wf, were fitted using linear or Gompertz functions with genotype-specific parameters. Based on these functions, a parameterized 3D reconstruction method was implemented in Python, combining biomass-driven growth equations, curvature geometry, and cross-sectional interpolation to simulate the fruit’s bending, tapering, and volumetric development. The resulting dynamic 3D models accurately reproduced genotype-specific differences in curvature, length, and shape with average fitting R2 > 0.95. The proposed biomass-driven 3D structural model provides a methodological framework for integrating banana fruit morphology into functional–structural plant models.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsバナナ果実の形態形質を推定・再現するバイオマス駆動型3D構造モデルを開発し、遺伝子型間の形状を検証しており、フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractwe developed a generic, biomass-driven 3D structural model for banana fruit fingers that quantitatively links growth and morphology.

Forest Surveying with Robotics and AI: SLAM-Based Mapping, Terrain-Aware Navigation, and Tree Parameter Estimation →

Forest surveying and inspection face significant challenges due to unstructured environments, variable terrain conditions, and the high costs of manual data collection. Although mobile robotics and artificial intelligence offer promising solutions, reliable autonomous navigation in forest, terrain-aware path planning, and tree parameter estimation remain open challenges. In this paper, we present the results of the AI4FOREST project, which addresses these issues through three main contributions. First, we develop an autonomous mobile robot, integrating SLAM-based navigation, 3D point cloud reconstruction, and a vision-based deep learning architecture to enable tree detection and diameter estimation. This system demonstrates the feasibility of generating a digital twin of forest while operating autonomously. Second, to overcome the limitations of classical navigation approaches in heterogeneous natural terrains, we introduce a machine learning-based surrogate model of wheel–soil interaction, trained on a large synthetic dataset derived from classical terramechanics. Compared to purely geometric planners, the proposed model enables realistic dynamics simulation and improves navigation robustness by accounting for terrain–vehicle interactions. Finally, we investigate the impact of point cloud density on the accuracy of forest parameter estimation, identifying the minimum sampling requirements needed to extract tree diameters and heights. This analysis provides support to balance sensor performance, robot speed, and operational costs. Overall, the AI4FOREST project advances the state of the art in autonomous forest monitoring by jointly addressing SLAM-based mapping, terrain-aware navigation, and tree parameter estimation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods自律ロボット、3D点群、深層学習を用いて樹木の直径・高さを推定する手法を開発し、点群密度による推定精度も評価しており、植物形質取得が中心である。

abstractwe develop an autonomous mobile robot, integrating SLAM-based navigation, 3D point cloud reconstruction, and a vision-based deep learning architecture to enable tree detection and diameter estimation.

3D reconstruction analysis of maize-soybean intercropping competition under water stress. →

Maize-soybean intercropping is a sustainable intensive agroecosystem, though the productivity is constrained by interspecific competition for water and light resources. To enhance the water use efficiency in this intercropping system and understand canopy structure dynamics under the water-limited conditions of arid northwest China, this study proposes a novel optimization strategy that synchronizes deficit irrigation scheduling with crop-specific water requirements during critical phenological phases. Four irrigation regimes were implemented: W1 (full irrigation for both maize and soybean crops), W2 (maize-full and soybean-deficit), W3 (maize-deficit and soybean-full), and W4 (dual deficit). Through UAV-based high-resolution 3D canopy reconstruction (R = 0.98 for plant height validation), 14 spatial-geometric descriptors were quantified. The W2 strategy demonstrated superior competitive coordination, enhancing aggressivity of maize (Ams) by 85.9 % through strategic canopy reconfiguration: 11.8 % reduction in maize maximum leaf layer width position (MLLWP), 28.3 % decrease in inter-specific canopy overlap area (COA), and 40.0 % compression of shading convex hull volume (SCHV). These optimized structural adaptations synergistically enhanced photosynthetically active radiation interception (+13.4 %) while achieving concurrent reductions in crop evapotranspiration (ET, -19.7 %) without yield penalty, thereby elevating irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) by 14.4 % and water equivalent ratio (WER) by 15.9 %. This work provides mechanistic insights into canopy architecture-mediated resource competition mitigation and establishes a technological framework for sustainable intensification in water-limited environments.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVによる3Dキャノピー再構成を用いた植物構造形質の取得と検証が、灌漑試験の主要な解析基盤として明示されているため、実質的なフェノタイピング手法の応用に該当する。

abstractThrough UAV-based high-resolution 3D canopy reconstruction (R = 0.98 for plant height validation), 14 spatial-geometric descriptors were quantified.

SOY3DSEG: A high-precision universal point cloud segmentation model for soybean full growth period based on improved point transformer. →

Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction technologies for crops are of significant importance in the context of smart breeding and precision agriculture, as they enable accurate characterization of crop spatial architecture and developmental dynamics. Such capabilities provide essential phenotypic information for the rapid selection of breeding materials and informed agronomic decision-making. A critical requirement for the practical application of crop 3D models is high-accuracy organ-level segmentation. However, the absence of a stage-universal segmentation framework capable of operating across complete soybean growth cycle remains a major bottleneck hindering progress in this field. To address this issue, we propose SOY3DSEG-a high-precision framework based on an improved Point Transformer, designed to support the full developmental spectrum of soybean (V1-R7). The framework incorporates a novel down sampling strategy termed Dynamic Multi-Stage Sampling Strategy (DMSS), alongside multi-scale feature enhancement and a local geometry-aware attention mechanism, enhancing segmentation accuracy and efficiency. Performance evaluations across 12 consecutive soybean growth stages (V1 to R7) indicate that SOY3DSEG achieved an average mean Intersection-over-Union (mIoU) of 93.34 % for stem-leaf segmentation-surpassing RandLA-Net, BAAF-Net, PointNet++, and PointConv by over 30 %, and outperforming the baseline Point Transformer by 14.18 %. A moderate accuracy decline appears at R6-R7 due to dense canopies and strong occlusion, yet SOY3DSEG retains clear superiority over the baseline Point Transformer, demonstrating robustness under complex morphology. In cross-crop transfer tests limited to early seedling stages of maize and tomato, the model achieves an mIoU of approximately 99 %, indicating strong early-stage transferability while mature-stage generalization across species remains open for future study. SOY3DSEG thus provides a stage-robust and scalable solution for full-cycle soybean phenotyping and growth monitoring, contributing to precision agricultural practice.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods大豆の3D点群から器官レベル形態を抽出する分割フレームワークを開発・評価しており、植物表現型取得手法が研究の中心である。

abstractA critical requirement for the practical application of crop 3D models is high-accuracy organ-level segmentation.

Spatially resolved analysis of growth dynamics in pome and drupe fruits of Rosaceae using 3D Gaussian Splatting. →

Fruit growth has long been described using single- or double-sigmoid curves; however, these temporal models cannot fully capture the spatial heterogeneity that ultimately shapes a fruit. Here, we present a three-dimensional analysis pipeline that non-destructively tracks spatial fruit growth dynamics from field-collected imagery. Surface landmarks were drawn, and video recordings were taken throughout development for three pome fruits, apple ( Malus × domestica ), Japanese pear ( Pyrus pyrifolia ) and European pear ( Pyrus communis ), and two drupe fruits, peach ( Prunus persica ) and Japanese apricot ( Prunus mume ), to track their motion. Using 3D Gaussian splatting, we successfully reconstructed 3D models of the fruits, and the landmark displacement could be measured with high accuracy, with R 2 ≥ 0.98 when compared to manual recordings. We found a common spatial growth gradient in the longitudinal growth shared in the pomes and drupes of the Rosaceae; proximal (stem-end) regions exhibited more pronounced growth than the distal (stylar) end. An exception was found in European pear 'Bartlett,' which showed relatively vigorous growth in the distal region, explaining its distinct shape with expanded distal end. Transverse expansion varied far less than longitudinal expansion, with a possible association with initial fruit morphology. Inter-fruit growth variability peaked in the fastest-growing regions, particularly in the distal area of the European pear, highlighting the link between growth vigor and phenotypic variance. These results provide foundational insights into the developmental dynamics of both pome and drupe fruits of the Rosaceae family, contributing to the optimization of fruit size, shape, and uniformity.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3D画像解析パイプラインと3D Gaussian Splattingを用いて果実の空間的成長を非破壊計測し、手動記録との精度比較で検証しているため、植物表現型取得法が中心である。

abstractHere, we present a three-dimensional analysis pipeline that non-destructively tracks spatial fruit growth dynamics from field-collected imagery.

Quantifying growth and lodging in Tef ( Eragrostis tef ) with Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) →

Lodging is a major contributor to decreased yield in tef, a staple cereal crop in Ethiopia. Semidwarf varieties have been developed with a goal to increase yield through reduced lodging, but studying lodging susceptibility currently requires a labor-intensive, imprecise, manual scoring method. Here we present workflows for analyzing tef stand height from UAS sensors across time to both predict lodging later in the season with early height and to measure the severity of lodging after a storm event. We compare 3D point clouds generated by photogrammetry from RGB images with those generated from LiDAR to estimate height, demonstrating that they produce similar results, despite differences in cost. Stand height and lodging can both be accurately measured with low-cost UAS, reducing the need for manual measurements and increasing precision and temporal resolution in plant breeding programs. Significance Statement Extreme weather or heavy grain can cause plant stems to bend, a process called lodging. Lodging significantly reduces crop yields globally, particularly in grain crops such as tef ( Eragrostis tef ). Semidwarf crops have previously been reported to be lodging-resistant, increasing crop yields. Here, we used uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) to measure plant growth, height, and lodging in gene edited semidwarf tef lines, and compared the results to ground-truth data. Using a UAS equipped with a red-green-blue (RGB) camera or LiDAR sensor, we measured plant height and lodging, and found that early-season height measurements could predict future lodging potential. The tools used were contributed to the open-source software PlantCV-Geospatial for community use. This work contributes to a broader understanding of genetic resistance to lodging, providing valuable insights for tef crop improvement and reduces the need for labor-intensive manual measurements.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUASのRGB画像・LiDARから3D点群を生成し、植物の草高と倒伏を定量化・検証するワークフロー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含める。

abstractHere we present workflows for analyzing tef stand height from UAS sensors across time to both predict lodging later in the season with early height and to measure the severity of lodging after a storm event.

Multispectral imaging and automated analysis for quantifying grain quality to reveal known and potential novel alleles affecting grain traits in wheat. →

To accelerate the pace of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) improvement worldwide, desired seed-level characteristics and seed quality receive a growing attention as they directly impact early seedling establishment, seed longevity, and grain quality. Nevertheless, the throughput and accuracy of seed-level phenotyping and analysis have become a key limiting factor in this research domain, requiring new solutions to relieve this bottleneck. In this study, we first combined automated multispectral seed imaging (MSI; i.e. the VideometerLab 4 and Autofeeder systems) with a variety of machine learning and computer vision techniques to establish a high-throughput pipeline to analyse wheat seeds. Then, using 493 lines selected from the NIAB Diverse MAGIC (NDM) population, we applied the pipeline to segment individual seeds from MSI seed-lot images. This enabled us to perform seed-level measurement of sixteen morphological (e.g. seed size, length, width, and roundness) and spectral traits, ranging from ultraviolet (i.e. 375 nm, correlating with crude protein) to near-infrared (e.g. 975 nm, for assessing water content) wavelengths. After verifying these seed quality related traits (R2 ≥ 0.949; p < 0.001), we applied genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to link the computationally derived traits to genetic loci and identified eleven significant loci. Some of the loci were previously reported, with two unknown loci valuable for further assessment. Taken together, we believe this integrated MSI analysis pipeline provides a powerful solution for seed research and crop improvement in wheat, enabling us to bridge MSI, seed-level analysis, and genetic mapping to assess seed morphology, seed quality, and their underlying genetic architectures effectively.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods自動マルチスペクトル画像と機械学習・コンピュータビジョンを統合し、個々の小麦種子の形態・スペクトル形質を高スループットに抽出するパイプラインが研究の中心である。

abstractwe first combined automated multispectral seed imaging (MSI; i.e. the VideometerLab 4 and Autofeeder systems) with a variety of machine learning and computer vision techniques to establish a high-throughput pipeline to analyse wheat seeds.

Image-based rachis phenotyping facilitates genetic dissection of spikelet distribution in wheat →

The distribution of spikelets significantly affects wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) spike architecture. However, traditional methods lack the precision to study spikelet distribution effectively. We developed RachisSeg, a deep learning-based phenotyping pipeline that automatically measures traits from scanned rachis images. In addition to traditional spikelet number per spike (SNS), rachis length (RL), and spikelet density (SD, SNS/RL), we introduced spikelet distribution traits based on rachis internode lengths, providing quantitative insights into spike architecture. RachisSeg showed high consistency with manual measurements for SNS and RL, with the R2 values of 0.975 and 0.998, respectively. Using RachisSeg, we analyzed spikelet distribution patterns across wheat germplasm and found that traits such as spikelet distribution index (SDI) and apical-to-basal spikelet number ratio (AVB_SNS) were moderately correlated with grain yield per spike (GYPS) (r = 0.57 and 0.53, respectively), while internode width (IW) showed a strong positive correlation with GYPS (r = 0.75). Specifically, a denser spikelet arrangement in the upper spike negatively impacted grain number and weight in that section. Furthermore, comparative analysis revealed distinct spikelet distribution patterns among landraces, American cultivars, and Chinese cultivars. In a recombinant inbred line population, we identified 46 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with rachis traits. A major QTL controlling SDI was detected on chromosome 6B, explaining up to 24.8% of the phenotypic variance. Candidate gene analysis suggested TraesCS6B02G417000 as a potential gene, whose mutant exhibited significant changes in RL and SDI. RachisSeg is a powerful tool for quantifying spikelet distribution, facilitating wheat genetic analysis, gene discovery, and breeding.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsRachisSegは、スキャン画像からコムギ穂軸・小穂分布形質を自動抽出する深層学習フェノタイピング手法として開発・検証されており、方法が研究の中心です。

abstractWe developed RachisSeg, a deep learning-based phenotyping pipeline that automatically measures traits from scanned rachis images.

pyRootHair: Machine learning accelerated software for high-throughput phenotyping of plant root hair traits →

Background Root hairs play a key role in plant nutrient and water uptake. Historically, root hair traits have largely been quantified manually. As such, this process has been laborious and low-throughput. However, given their importance for plant health and development, high-throughput quantification of root hair morphology could help underpin rapid advances in the genetic understanding of these traits. With recent increases in the accessibility and availability of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning techniques, the development of tools to automate plant phenotyping processes has been greatly accelerated. Results We present pyRootHair, a high-throughput, AI-powered software application to automate root hair trait extraction from microscope images of plant roots grown on agar plates. pyRootHair is capable of batch processing over 600 images per hour without manual input from the end user. In this study, we deploy pyRootHair on a panel of 24 diverse wheat (Triticum aestivum and Triticum turgidum ssp. durum) cultivars and uncover a large, previously unresolved amount of variation in many root hair traits. We show that the overall root hair profile falls under 2 distinct shape categories and that different root hair traits often correlate with each other. We also demonstrate that pyRootHair can be deployed on a range of plant species, including oat (Avena sativa), rice (Oryza sativa), teff (Eragrostis tef), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Conclusions The application of pyRootHair enables users to rapidly screen a large number of plant germplasm resources for variation in root hair morphology, supporting high-resolution measurements and high-throughput data analysis. This facilitates downstream investigation of the impacts of root hair genetic control and morphological variation on plant performance. pyRootHair is installable via PyPI (https://pypi.org/project/pyRootHair/) and can be accessed on GitHub at https://github.com/iantsang779/pyRootHair.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物根毛形態を顕微鏡画像から自動抽出するAIソフトウェアを開発し、複数作物で適用・実証しており、表現型取得手法が研究の中心である。

abstractWe present pyRootHair, a high-throughput, AI-powered software application to automate root hair trait extraction from microscope images of plant roots grown on agar plates.

KymoTip: high-throughput characterization of tip-growth dynamics in plant cells. →

Live imaging data analysis often requires an objective, local, and accurate way of quantification of cell dynamics. In the research field of polarized tip-growth, the cell fluctuations and/or fluctuations in tip position and growth direction hamper automated analyses of huge amounts of imaging sequences. The fluctuated nature in data makes it unclear how cell shape and growth are linked to intracellular events that could be the actual driving force of cell growth. To overcome these difficulties, we developed a powerful and user-friendly tool called KymoTip with an available format. In this software, novel functions such as coordinate normalization, tip-bottom detection, and signal kymograph were implemented. We confirmed that not only plasma membrane-labeled fluorescent images, but also images such as bright-field and cortical microtubule markers-so long as the cell contours can be identified-are amenable to KymoTip. Furthermore, by combining markers for cell contours with those that visualize intracellular structures, it becomes possible to quantitatively analyze various intracellular events, such as nuclear migration and calcium wave, in conjunction with cellular growth dynamics. Since KymoTip can be handled by non-specialists, it is expected to promote understanding of what happens at the sub- and cellular level with high-throughput outcomes.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物細胞のライブ画像から細胞形状・先端位置・成長方向・成長動態を定量化する解析ソフトウェアを開発しており、植物表現型取得・抽出が研究の中心である。

abstractwe developed a powerful and user-friendly tool called KymoTip

Open RGB imaging workflow for morphological and morphometric analysis of fruits using deep learning: a case study on almonds. →

Background High-throughput phenotyping is addressing the current bottleneck in phenotyping within breeding programs. Imaging tools are becoming the primary resource for improving the efficiency of phenotyping processes and providing large datasets for genomic selection approaches. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) brings new advantages by enhancing phenotyping methods using imaging, making them more accessible to breeding programs. In this context, we have developed an open Python workflow for analyzing morphology, color, and morphometric traits using AI, which can be applied to fruits and other plant organs. Results The workflow was implemented in almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb), a species where breeding efficiency is critical due to its long breeding cycle. Over 25,000 kernels, more than 20,000 nuts, and over 600 individuals were phenotyped, making this the largest morphological study conducted in almond so far. The best segmentation and reconstruction approaches achieved error rates below 1%. Weight and area variables enabled accurate estimation of kernel thickness, with a root mean squared error of 0.47. Fifty-five heritable morphological, morphometric, and color traits were identified, highlighting their potential as target traits in breeding programs. Conclusion The proposed workflow demonstrated robust performance across diverse datasets and was effective with limited training data for fine-tuning. Its compatibility with the output of AI-based labeling tools allows users to fully leverage the advantages of these technologies-reducing manual effort, accelerating dataset preparation, and streamlining the fine-tuning process of segmentation models. This flexibility enhances the scalability and practical applicability of the workflow in real-world phenotyping scenarios, especially in the context of breeding programs.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物器官の形態・色・形状特性を抽出するオープンなRGB画像解析ワークフローを開発し、分割・再構成精度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す。

abstractwe have developed an open Python workflow for analyzing morphology, color, and morphometric traits using AI, which can be applied to fruits and other plant organs.

AI-powered measurement verification and reporting system for agroforestry trees to estimate carbon sequestration potential →

Nature-based climate solutions, such as agroforestry, offer potential for carbon sequestration while providing co-benefits. However, the lack of scalable and low-cost measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems limits smallholder participation in carbon markets. This study presents the DiameterAlgorithm, a non-contact method for tree diameter estimation using semantic segmentation and two-dimensional photogrammetry. The fine-tuned model achieved a mean intersection over union (mIoU) of 0.937. The algorithm was tested on image datasets from managed trees settings in Kenya (n = 142) and Pennsylvania, USA (n = 40), with regression analysis showing high accuracy (R² = 0.97, RMSE = 2.20–2.23 cm). Bias analysis showed slight overestimation for small to medium trees (5–35 cm DBH) and underestimation for larger trees (>36 cm DBH), with an overall mean bias of +0.68 cm. Coupled with allometric equations, the DiameterAlgorithm enables scalable, site-level biomass estimation for carbon markets.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods樹木直径という植物形態形質を画像から推定する手法を開発し、複数地域のデータで精度・バイアスを検証しており、フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study presents the DiameterAlgorithm, a non-contact method for tree diameter estimation using semantic segmentation and two-dimensional photogrammetry.

Leaf Analyzer: A fully automated and open-source tool for high-throughput leaf trait measurement. →

Accurate and efficient leaf trait measurement is essential for plant phenotyping, agronomy, and ecological studies. In this work, we introduce Leaf Analyzer, a novel open-source, fully automated computer vision-based tool for high-throughput leaf morphological trait measurement such as leaf area, dimensions, perimeter, count, and percent damage. Unlike existing methods that rely on strong foreground-background contrast or controlled imaging conditions, Leaf Analyzer employs an unsupervised clustering approach based on the K-means++ clustering algorithm and a novel Leaf Background Separation (LBS) feature, which combines the L∗ and b∗ channels from CIEL∗a∗b∗ color space and the saturation channel from HSV color space. The proposed method and the LBS feature can effectively distinguish leaves from the background across varying lighting conditions, leaf colors, and camera orientations. To evaluate the performance of the new software, we conducted comprehensive quantitative and qualitative comparison experiments with two widely used software tools - Petiole Pro and LeafByte, demonstrating that Leaf Analyzer achieves superior accuracy and consistency, particularly under challenging imaging conditions. Additionally, we explore methods to further enhance measurement precision, including leaf flattening and the integration of supplementary leaf features such as texture features and color specific features. Beyond leaf trait measurement, we showcase the versatility of Leaf Analyzer in a range of applications, including nondestructive plant phenotyping, seed counting, root trait analysis, leaf area measurement for petri dish-grown plants, plant projected silhouette area or crown projection area estimation, leaf damage assessment, and broader plant science applications, making it a valuable tool for researchers working in laboratory and field environments.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods葉形態形質を自動抽出するオープンソース画像解析ツールの開発と、既存ツールとの定量比較検証が研究の中心であるため。

abstractIn this work, we introduce Leaf Analyzer, a novel open-source, fully automated computer vision-based tool for high-throughput leaf morphological trait measurement such as leaf area, dimensions, perimeter, count, and percent damage.

The Rapid Anatomics Tool (RAT): A low-cost root anatomical phenotyping platform reveals changes in root anatomy along the root axis. →

Root anatomical phenotyping has become a demonstrably essential part of investigating root physiology and in acquiring a holistic understanding of plant development. However, accessible high throughput methods for root anatomical analysis are still lacking. Here, we present the Rapid Anatomics Tool (RAT), a novel, low-cost platform for high throughput root anatomical imaging with a shallow learning curve for obtaining high quality images suitable for comparative analysis across a number of plant species. Its efficiency comes from combining blockface-like imaging and stain-free imaging using near-ultraviolet (nUV) autofluorescence utilising a combination of low-cost commercial equipment, readily available mechanical components, and custom designed and 3D printed tools. Using this platform, we investigated the anatomy of mature tissue along the axis of wheat crown roots, revealing a tendency of reduction in vascular complexity (expressed through a reduction in metaxylem number, area, and mean area per metaxylem file) from the basal to the distal region of the root. This study highlights the importance of thorough sampling strategies for investigating root anatomy in relation to organ function and introduces an accessible, relatively high-throughput platform to support such research.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods根の解剖学的形質を高スループットに画像取得する低コスト基盤を開発しており、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心です。

abstractHere, we present the Rapid Anatomics Tool (RAT), a novel, low-cost platform for high throughput root anatomical imaging

Self-pollinated cannabis seeds lead to less variation in shape: a technological approach of potential commercial interest. →

Background The breeding process enables plants to inherit desirable traits, such as yield, flowering time, pest resistance, and cannabinoid and/or terpene content. As a result of these intensive genetic improvement practices, where genetically similar individuals or those from the same lineage are crossed, the expression of unfavorable recessive alleles may occur due to homozygosity. This can lead to less productive plants, increased susceptibility to diseases, and reduced quality. Despite the potential negative effects associated with inbreeding, self-pollination (a form of inbreeding) is a necessary cultivation technique used to obtain seeds that produce phenotypically female plants (feminized seeds) for commercialization and/or to fix desirable traits, albeit at the cost of reduced genetic variability. The Cannabis sativa L. seed market has grown significantly in recent decades, driven by the legalization and regulation of medicinal and recreational use. Self-pollinated feminized seeds are popular among growers and commercial seed banks because, in most cases, they guarantee that inflorescences will express the cannabinoid and terpene profile of the single parent plant. The objective of this work is to compare the morphological variation of seeds obtained from the reversal of female clones followed by self-pollination, and seeds obtained from crossing genetically distinct parental. To study seed shape and size, we employed 2D geometric morphometrics (GM) based on landmarks and semilandmarks, coupled with a supervised machine learning approach and multivariate statistical approach for analysis. Results No direct relationship was observed between size and seed type, although significant differences between varieties were detected. The shape of seeds from crosses between different parents (male and female) showed lower classification accuracy compared to feminized seeds. These results support the hypothesis that inbreeding reduces the variability, as feminized seeds from self-pollination were correctly identified at a high rate using a discriminant function. Conclusions Our research demonstrates that 2D geometric morphometrics can effectively distinguish and trace feminized and self-pollinated cannabis seeds. These seeds exhibit the least morphological variation, enabling accurate identification and providing a reliable foundation for practical applications. The Random Forest classifier's high performance confirms the effectiveness of using morphological traits for seed discrimination. These results open the door for advanced machine-learning techniques aimed to improve scalability and automation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods2D幾何形態計測と機械学習を用いて種子の形状・サイズを抽出し、種子タイプを識別する手法が研究の中心であるため。

abstractTo study seed shape and size, we employed 2D geometric morphometrics (GM) based on landmarks and semilandmarks, coupled with a supervised machine learning approach and multivariate statistical approach for analysis.

A 0.6-meter resolution canopy height and structure model for the contiguous United States →

Above-ground vertical structure is a critical variable for ecosystem monitoring, carbon accounting, and land management. However, the high cost and limited coverage of airborne lidar hinder its widespread application. To address this, we developed NAIP-CHM, a 0.6-meter resolution canopy height and structure model (CHM) covering the contiguous United States, derived from National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) aerial imagery. Unlike forestry-specific models that exclude human-made features, NAIP-CHM characterizes the full vertical structure of the landscape including vegetation, buildings, and infrastructure. We utilized a U-Net convolutional neural network with attention mechanisms and environmental conditioning, training and validating the model with a peer-reviewed, publicly available dataset of 22.8 million co-registered NAIP imagery and lidar-derived CHM pairs, with stratified sampling to ensure robustness in open-canopy ecosystems. The model achieved a pixel-wise root mean square error (RMSE) of 2.28 meters and an r2 of 0.87. Forested sites alone produced an r2 of 0.82 and RMSE of 3.82 meters. We provide the dataset, source code, and cloud-based tools to enable broad application without requiring specialized computational resources.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植生を含む景観の樹冠高・構造を航空画像から推定するモデルを開発し、公開データセットで検証している。植物キャノピーの明示的な構造形質推定が中心だが、建造物等も含むため植物以外の構造も対象とする点には留意が必要。

abstractwe developed NAIP-CHM, a 0.6-meter resolution canopy height and structure model (CHM) covering the contiguous United States, derived from National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) aerial imagery.

Cryogenic volume electron microscopy of whole plant protoplasts →

Volume electron microscopy (vEM) provides nanometer-scale, three-dimensional imaging of cells, but applying it to plant systems remains challenging. Cell walls, large vacuoles, and tissue thickness complicate sample preparation and cryogenic imaging. Here we report a cryogenic vEM (cryo-vEM) workflow for unstained plant protoplasts that achieves volumetric imaging of whole vitrified sorghum stem protoplasts without chemical fixation, dehydration, resin embedding, or heavy-metal staining. The method integrates optimized protoplast isolation, plunge-freezing vitrification for native-state preservation, automated cryogenic focus ion beam scanning electron microscopy (cryo-FIB-SEM) slice-and-view acquisition, contrast enhancement and stack alignment, and AI-assisted human-in-the-loop 3D segmentation. Using sorghum stem protoplasts as a demonstration, the workflow captured large-volume frozen-hydrated protoplast ultrastructure, allowing visualization of major organelles, including the nucleus, mitochondria, vacuoles, ER/Golgi-like membranes, lipid bodies, and subcellular features consistent with nuclear-envelope pores. We further quantified organelle volumes and surface areas from the segmented 3D data, highlighting the potential for quantitative cellular ultrastructure analysis. This cryo-vEM workflow provides a platform for near-native structural studies of isolated plant protoplasts.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物プロトプラストの三次元画像取得・セグメンテーション・オルガネラ形態量化を中核とする手法開発であり、植物の細胞形態形質を抽出するため。

abstractHere we report a cryogenic vEM (cryo-vEM) workflow for unstained plant protoplasts that achieves volumetric imaging of whole vitrified sorghum stem protoplasts

Automated 3D Phenotyping of Maize Plants: Stereo Matching Guided by Deep Learning →

Automated three-dimensional plant phenotyping is an essential tool for non-destructive analysis of plant growth and structure. This paper presents a low-cost system based on stereo vision for depth estimation and morphological characterization of maize plants. The system incorporates an automatic detection stage for the object of interest using deep learning techniques to delimit the region of interest (ROI) corresponding to the plant. The Semi-Global Block Matching (SGBM) algorithm is applied to the detected region to compute the disparity map and generate a partial three-dimensional representation of the plant structure. The ROI delimitation restricts the disparity calculation to the plant area, reducing processing of the background and optimizing computational resource use. The deep learning-based detection stage maintains stable foliage identification even under varying lighting conditions and shadowing, ensuring consistent depth data across different experimental conditions. Overall, the proposed system integrates detection and disparity estimation into an efficient processing flow, providing an accessible alternative for automated three-dimensional phenotyping in agricultural environments.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の3次元形態を取得・特徴づけるステレオビジョンと深度推定システムの開発が中心であり、明確な植物フェノタイピング手法です。

abstractThis paper presents a low-cost system based on stereo vision for depth estimation and morphological characterization of maize plants.

Real-time segmentation and phenotypic analysis of rice seeds using YOLOv11-LA and RiceLCNN. →

Introduction The real-time, accurate detection and classification of rice seeds are crucial for improving agricultural productivity, ensuring grain quality, and promoting smart agriculture. Although significant progress has been made using deep learning, particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and attention-based models, earlier methods such as threshold segmentation and single-grain classification faced challenges related to computational efficiency and latency, especially in high-density seed agglutination scenarios. This study addresses these limitations by proposing an integrated intelligent analysis model that combines object detection, real-time tracking, precise classification, and high-accuracy phenotypic measurement. Methods The proposed model utilizes the lightweight YOLOv11-LA for real-time grain segmentation, which builds upon the YOLOv11 architecture. YOLOv11-LA incorporates several enhancements over YOLOv11, including separable convolutions, CBAM (Convolutional Block Attention Module) attention mechanisms, and module pruning strategies. These modifications not only improve detection accuracy but also significantly reduce the number of parameters by 63.2% and decrease computational complexity by 51.6%. For classification, the model employs a custom-designed, lightweight RiceLCNN classifier. Additionally, the DeepSORT algorithm is employed for real-time multi-object tracking, and sub-pixel edge detection along with dynamic scale calibration mechanisms are applied for precise phenotypic feature measurement. Results Compared to YOLOv11, the YOLOv11-LA model increases the mAP@0.5:0.95 score by 1.9%, showcasing its superior detection performance while maintaining lower computational overhead. The RiceLCNN classifier achieved classification accuracies of 89.78% on private datasets and 96.32% on public benchmark datasets. The system demonstrated high accuracy in measuring phenotypic features such as seed size and roundness, with measurement errors kept within 0.1 millimeters. The DeepSORT algorithm effectively managed multi-object tracking, reducing duplicate identifications and frame loss in real-time. Discussion Experimental validation confirmed that the YOLOv11-LA model outperforms the original YOLOv11 in terms of both detection speed and accuracy, while also maintaining low computational complexity. The integration of the YOLOv11-LA, RiceLCNN, and DeepSORT algorithms, combined with advanced measurement techniques, underscores the model's potential for industrial applications, particularly in enhancing smart agricultural practices.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsイネ種子画像からサイズや真円度を抽出するリアルタイム画像解析手法を開発し、精度・速度・測定誤差を検証しており、表現型取得が研究の中心です。

abstractThe proposed model utilizes the lightweight YOLOv11-LA for real-time grain segmentation

A Novel Semi-Hydroponic Root Observation System Combined with Unsupervised Semantic Segmentation for Root Phenotyping →

Root system analysis remains methodologically challenging in plant research: traditional soil cultivation obstructs comprehensive root observation, whereas hydroponic visualization lacks ecological relevance due to soil environment exclusion—a critical limitation for crops like soybean. This manuscript developed a cost-effective hybrid imaging system integrating transparent acrylic plates, semi-permeable membranes, and natural soil substrates with high-resolution imaging and controlled illumination, enabling non-destructive root monitoring in quasi-natural soil conditions. Complementing this hardware innovation, this manuscript proposed an unsupervised semantic segmentation algorithm that synergizes path planning with an enhanced DBSCAN framework, achieving the precise extraction of primary and lateral root architectures. Experimental validation demonstrated superior performance in soybean root analysis, with segmentation metrics reaching 0.8444 accuracy, 0.9203 recall, 0.8743 F1-score, and 0.7921 mIoU—significantly outperforming existing unsupervised methods (p 0.94) with WinRHIZO in quantifying root length, projected area, dimensional parameters, and lateral root counts confirmed system reliability. This soil-compatible phenotyping platform establishes new opportunities for root research, with future developments targeting multi-crop adaptability and complex soil condition applications through modular hardware redesign and 3D reconstruction algorithm integration.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods根系観察用ハードウェアと画像セグメンテーション手法を開発し、根形質抽出性能を検証した、中心的な植物フェノタイピング研究である。

abstractThis manuscript developed a cost-effective hybrid imaging system

Plant Face: Machine learning decodes genetic, environmental and developmental imprints in leaf appearance →

Abstract Leaf appearance is a crucial plant phenotype. However, traditional methods for extracting this information are inefficient, limiting its full utilization. Deep learning based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) enables us to capture previously inaccessible information from images. In this study, we made the surprising discovery that the leaf appearance of each individual plant is unique. Using deep learning, leaves from one plant could be efficiently distinguished from those of another plant of the same species and cultivar. We term this phenomenon the “ Plant Face ” and suggest the potential to develop a “plant face recognition system,” analogous to human facial recognition. We also applied similar methods to study the relationship between leaflet appearance and their position on compound leaves, leaf bilateral symmetry, and differences in leaves from twining stems with different chirality. These results collectively indicate that plant genetic characteristics, growth conditions, and developmental features can be stored within their appearance. With appropriate decoding, leaf appearance is poised to play an increasingly important role in phenomics. Significance The saying “no two leaves in the world are identical” holds philosophical significance, as such variation encompasses considerable contingency and randomness. Here, we assert that no two trees have identical leaves ; meaning that even for plants of the same species and cultivar, the leaf morphology of each individual plant is distinct at the population level, even though single leaves may overlap in appearance. Genetic, environmental, and developmental information is recorded in some manner within the phenotypic appearance of leaves. With advancements in computational technologies like artificial intelligence, this information can now be decoded. Highlights The leaves of each individual plant are statistically unique. The relationship between leaflet appearances in compound leaves hints at their developmental patterns. Leaves are not necessarily bilaterally symmetric in a statistical sense. Leaves from stems with different chirality (twining direction) exhibit distinct appearances.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods葉画像から植物の個体差や形態情報を深層学習で抽出・識別する手法が研究の中心であり、植物フェノタイピングへの応用を明示している。

abstractLeaf appearance is a crucial plant phenotype. However, traditional methods for extracting this information are inefficient

Dataset on flammability and functional traits of woody plants in a pine-oak forest of western Mexico. →

Background Plant functional traits provide key information about species' ecological strategies and their responses to environmental disturbances such as fire. This dataset documents 14 morpho-functional traits of leaves (specific leaf area, leaf water content and leaf dry matter content), stems (maximum height, bark thickness, diameter at 40 cm, wood density, stem water content and stem dry matter content), one regenerative trait (resprouting capacity), as well as fire-related traits (ignition time, flaming time and flammability) and growth form in 50 woody plant species (27 trees, 22 shrubs and one liana) inhabiting a pine-oak forest in the "Barranca del Cupatitzio" National Park (BCNP), located in Uruapan, Michoacán, Mexico. This dataset is formatted according to the Darwin Core Archive standard and is publicly available for use. New information This dataset is standardised under the Darwin Core framework. It includes 14 morpho-functional and fire-related traits. The data were obtained from 50 woody species with a diameter at breast height (DBH) > 2.5 cm (27 trees, 22 shrubs and one liana), in a pine-oak forest located in the western Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, in the Municipality of Uruapan, Michoacán, Mexico. Here, we report flammability-related traits for these species for the first time. The collection of biological material and the measurement of functional traits followed internationally recognised protocols, ensuring methodological consistency and facilitating integration with other global datasets. The dataset includes values for flammability, ignition time, flaming time, specific leaf area, wood density, stem water and dry matter content, bark thickness, leaf water and dry matter content, maximum height, stem diameter at 40 cm above the ground, plant growth form and resprouting capacity. This information is particularly valuable for studies in functional ecology, ecological restoration, the dynamics of woody plant communities and fire management in temperate, fire-prone ecosystems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の形態・機能・火災関連形質を体系的に収集し、Darwin Coreで標準化した再利用可能なデータセットであり、形質測定とデータ提供が中心である。

abstractThis dataset documents 14 morpho-functional traits of leaves

A novel high‐throughput digital morphological phenotyping method for evaluating growth traits in rice →

Abstract High‐throughput and noninvasive phenotyping methods are promising technology for improving efficiency in plant research and breeding. In this study, we evaluated the performance of a digital phenotyping system (DPS) based on three‐dimensional (3D) model reconstruction for quantifying key growth traits in rice ( Oryza sativa ). The DPS was used to estimate plant height, biomass, color, leaf morphology, and tiller angle in four rice varieties (Koshihikari, Nipponbare, PL9, and Tachiaoba). The results show high accuracy and correlation between manually measured and DPS‐derived traits. Notably, the 3D volume analysis can quantify biomass accumulation and growth dynamics and revealed distinct differences among varieties. The strong correlation between the green‐red normalized difference index (a red‐green‐blue‐based index) and soil plant analysis development also demonstrated the viability of the system in monitoring leaf color without using a multispectral instrument. The analysis also captured growth patterns over time, including canopy development and senescence, which are often challenging to quantify through manual measurements alone. Furthermore, the tiller angle estimation derived from DPS provided an alternative method to plant architecture evaluation, demonstrating its potential for use in breeding programs aimed to optimize canopy structure. These findings establish DPS as a reliable and scalable tool for a digital phenotyping platform that enables comprehensive trait analysis with reduced labor and increased precision and the capability to continuously monitor plant growth and biomass accumulation. This study shows the potential of this novel digital tool for automating manual measurements, which can increase efficiency and expedite research and breeding in rice and other crops.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3Dモデル再構築に基づくデジタル表現型解析システムを開発・評価し、イネの複数形質を手測定と比較検証しているため、方法が研究の中心です。

abstractwe evaluated the performance of a digital phenotyping system (DPS) based on three‐dimensional (3D) model reconstruction for quantifying key growth traits in rice

RootXplorer: A computer vision-based 3D phenotyping platform for high-throughput quantification and spatio-temporal analysis of root system penetrability. →

Studying the mechanisms that promote deep rooting in crops is crucial for engineering plant varieties with enhanced drought resilience and increased carbon sequestration capacity. Soil compaction is a major constraint on rooting depth and, to overcome this, root system penetrability needs to be enhanced. However, because of the limitations of current methods, phenotyping root penetrability remains a bottleneck. Here, we developed RootXplorer, a computer vision-based 3D phenotyping platform for high-throughput quantification of root penetration-related traits/phenotypes across dicot and monocot species. RootXplorer integrates a novel Phytagel-based cylinder system, a 3D imaging unit, and an automated software pipeline to extract root penetration-related traits with high precision and at a large scale. We demonstrate that RootXplorer enables large-scale diversity screenings in conditions replicating soil compaction effects in multiple species, revealing species-specific strategies for overcoming mechanical impedance. These findings highlight the utility and promise of RootXplorer for accelerating research on root architectural plasticity under controlled compaction conditions, identifying genotypes with varying tolerance to mechanical impedance, and supporting data-driven breeding decisions for developing soil compaction-resilient crop varieties. This technology has important implications for future plant breeding strategies and supports ongoing climate change mitigation efforts.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsRoot penetrability関連形質を対象に、3D画像計測と自動ソフトウェアで抽出する高スループット表現型解析プラットフォームを開発しており、方法が研究の中心です。

abstractRootXplorer integrates a novel Phytagel-based cylinder system, a 3D imaging unit, and an automated software pipeline to extract root penetration-related traits with high precision and at a large scale.

IPENS: Interactive unsupervised framework for rapid plant phenotyping extraction via NeRF-SAM2 fusion →

Advanced plant phenotyping technologies are vital for trait improvement and accelerating intelligent breeding. Due to the species diversity of plants, existing methods heavily rely on large-scale high-precision manually annotated data. For self-occluded objects at the grain level, unsupervised methods often prove ineffective. This study proposes IPENS, an interactive unsupervised multi-target point cloud extraction method. It utilizes radiance field information to lift 2D masks, segmented by SAM2 (Segment Anything Model 2), into 3D space for target point cloud extraction. A multi-target collaborative optimization strategy addresses the challenge of segmenting multiple targets from a single interaction. On a rice dataset, IPENS achieves a grain-level segmentation mean Intersection over Union (mIoU) of 63.72%. For phenotypic trait estimation, it achieves a grain voxel volume coefficient of determination R 2 = 0.7697 (Root Mean Square Error, RMSE = 0.0025), leaf surface area R 2 = 0.84 (RMSE = 18.93), and leaf length and width prediction accuracies of R 2 = 0.97 and R 2 = 0.87 (RMSE = 1.49 and 0.21). On a wheat dataset, IPENS further improves segmentation performance to a mIoU of 89.68%, with exceptional phenotypic estimation results: panicle voxel volume R 2 = 0.9956 (RMSE = 0.0055), leaf surface area R 2 = 1.00 (RMSE = 0.67), and leaf length and width predictions reaching R 2 = 0.99 and R 2 = 0.92 (RMSE = 0.23 and 0.15). Without requiring annotated data, IPENS rapidly extracts grain-level point clouds for multiple targets within three minutes using single-round image interactions. These features make IPENS a high-quality, non-invasive phenotypic extraction solution for rice and wheat, offering significant potential to enhance intelligent breeding.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物形質抽出のためのNeRF-SAM2融合手法を開発し、作物データセットで分割性能と形質推定精度を検証しているため、方法開発・検証が中心である。

abstractThis study proposes IPENS, an interactive unsupervised multi-target point cloud extraction method.

Three‐dimensional phenotyping of soybean roots under different water treatment conditions using fringe projection →

Abstract Accurate phenotyping of root traits is essential for understanding how plants respond to varying soil water treatment conditions, yet traditional phenotyping methods are often destructive and limited in capturing the full three‐dimensional (3D) complexity of root systems. Existing two‐dimensional imaging techniques and advanced 3D methods for performing root phenotyping, like magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography, either compromise on resolution, are cost‐prohibitive, or lack scalability. To address these limitations, this study proposes fringe projection profilometry (FPP), a rapid, nondestructive 3D imaging method, for root phenotyping. Using FPP, two architectural root traits were extracted: the number of root tips and the volumetric occupancy of the root system. These traits, difficult to obtain through manual phenotyping or conventional imaging, were automatically derived from the FPP 3D point clouds and validated against expert‐assigned fibrosity scores serving as the biological reference. The study involved 36 soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.) plants from six genotypes, pre‐classified as either stress‐treated or grown under rain‐fed conditions. Results showed strong alignment between FPP‐derived traits and expert evaluations. Stress‐ treated plants consistently exhibited more root tips and greater volumetric occupancy, confirming the biological relevance of these metrics. While this study does not attempt to classify drought tolerance directly, the structural variations observed under drought stress may serve as a foundation for identifying stress‐responsive phenotypes in future work. Overall, the findings demonstrate that FPP provides a fast, scalable, and accurate tool for 3D root phenotyping under variable water conditions.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsFPPによる根系の3次元形質取得・自動抽出を開発し、専門家評価と検証した研究であり、フェノタイピング手法が中心です。

abstractthis study proposes fringe projection profilometry (FPP), a rapid, nondestructive 3D imaging method, for root phenotyping.

Rapid acquisition of ionomic and morphological data from plant seeds through fast X-ray fluorescence microscopy and computer vision. →

Plant seeds are one of the most important food sources for humans. As a result, seed morphology and the concentrations of essential and toxic elements in seeds have important implications not only for seed yield and quality, but also for human health. To identify natural variation in the accumulation of various elements in seeds and in seed morphology, high-throughput phenotyping methods are needed. Here, we employed X-ray fluorescence microscopy (μ-XRF) as a method for rapid and high-throughput phenotyping of seed libraries and developed a computer vision-based algorithmic workflow to automatically the extraction of elemental and morphological data from single seeds. This workflow enables rapid segmentation of individual seeds from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) panel with 1163 A. thaliana accessions, and facilitates the extraction of elemental and morphological traits at the individual seed level from the μ-XRF image. A total of 7 and 10 loci, respectively associated with the morphology and elemental concentration of A. thaliana seeds, were identified. The high-throughput and nondestructive method for automated phenotyping of plant seed libraries developed in this study provides a tool for investigating natural genetic variation controlling the seed mineral accumulation and seed morphogenesis.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods種子の元素濃度・形態をμ-XRFとコンピュータビジョンで高速・自動取得する手法を開発しており、植物表現型取得が研究の中心である。

abstracthigh-throughput phenotyping methods are needed

Structural parameter determination and pruning pattern analysis of pear tree shoots for dormant pruning. →

The comprehensive understanding of the dormant pruning patterns in pear trees, along with the accurate identification of shoots suitable for pruning, is essential for implementing automated pruning and fruit production. Due to the complexity of tree architecture, previous descriptions of pruning strategies were qualitative summaries based on experience. In this study, we proposed a high-precision shoot extraction pipeline through point cloud alignment at different times, enabling a quantitative analysis of the pruning patterns. The structural parameters of 126 full bearing period pear trees, encompassing two cultivars and three architectures, were characterized, including the shoot number, single shoot angle and length, as well as shoot length density. The validation results demonstrated that the method attained an R 2 of 0.82, 0.92, and 0.85 for shoot number, single shoot angle and length, respectively, with mean absolute error of 18.72, 6.08°, and 0.13 ​m. The findings indicate that tree architecture exerts a greater influence on pruning compared to cultivar, particularly in Cuiguan, where significant differences were observed across diverse tree architectures. The characters of the corresponding annual (one-year-old) shoots (AS) and pruned shoots (PS) exhibit similar distribution. The AS, constituted 78.62% of the PS number, and 94.90% of length of AS were pruned, indicating that dormant pruning in full bearing period pear tree primarily targets at the annual shoots, and the pruning of annual shoots is mainly by thinning. This study could help the automatic pruning system make pruning decisions and promotes the development of fine orchard management.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsナシ樹のシュート形態を点群アライメントで抽出・定量化する手法を開発し、精度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す。

abstractwe proposed a high-precision shoot extraction pipeline through point cloud alignment at different times, enabling a quantitative analysis of the pruning patterns.

An arbuscular mycorrhiza from the 407-million-year-old Windyfield Chert identified through advanced fluorescence and Raman imaging. →

Mycorrhizal associations between fungi and plants are a fundamental aspect of terrestrial ecosystems. Mycorrhizas occur in c. 85% of extant plants, yet their geological record remains sparse. Rare fossil evidence from early terrestrial environments offers crucial insights into these ancient symbioses, but visualizing fossil fungi at the microscale within plant tissues is challenging. Here, we combine confocal laser scanning microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to investigate a newly identified fungus and cellular structures of a 407-Myr-old plant from the Windyfield Chert, a stratigraphically distinct fossiliferous unit from Rhynie (Scotland). We also applied Raman spectroscopy to investigate the carbon framework of both fungal and plant tissues. This integrative approach revealed fungal structures in unprecedented detail. The fungus, Rugososporomyces lavoisierae gen. nov., sp. nov., exhibits features resembling extant Glomeromycotina arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. This is the first record of mycorrhizas from the Windyfield Chert. FLIM further distinguished features at the subcellular level, while Raman spectroscopy showed that fungal arbuscules and vesicles of the plant water-conducting cells underwent geological alterations, resulting in a similar chemical composition. These findings expand our understanding of ancient and extremely rare plant-fungal symbioses and highlight the potential of confocal-FLIM for advancing palaeobotanical research.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物組織内の微細構造を対象に、共焦点レーザー顕微鏡・FLIM・ラマン分光を組み合わせた観察法を中核としており、化石植物の細胞・菌根構造の状態を抽出している。

abstractHere, we combine confocal laser scanning microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to investigate a newly identified fungus and cellular structures of a 407-Myr-old plant

Depth Imaging-Based Framework for Efficient Phenotypic Recognition in Tomato Fruit. →

Tomato is a globally significant horticultural crop with substantial economic and nutritional value. High-precision phenotypic analysis of tomato fruit characteristics, enabled by computer vision and image-based phenotyping technologies, is essential for varietal selection and automated quality evaluation. An intelligent detection framework for phenomics analysis of tomato fruits was developed in this study, which combines image processing techniques with deep learning algorithms to automate the extraction and quantitative analysis of 12 phenotypic traits, including fruit morphology, structure, color and so on. First, a dataset of tomato fruit section images was developed using a depth camera. Second, the SegFormer model was improved by incorporating the MLLA linear attention mechanism, and a lightweight SegFormer-MLLA model for tomato fruit phenotype segmentation was proposed. Accurate segmentation of tomato fruit stem scars and locular structures was achieved, with significantly reduced computational cost by the proposed model. Finally, a Hybrid Depth Regression Model was designed to optimize the estimation of optimal depth. By fusing RGB and depth information, the framework enabled efficient detection of key phenotypic traits, including fruit longitudinal diameter, transverse diameter, mesocarp thickness, and depth and width of stem scar. Experimental results demonstrated a high correlation between the phenotypic parameters detected by the proposed model and the manually measured values, effectively validating the accuracy and feasibility of the model. Hence, we developed an equipment automatically phenotyping tomato fruits and the corresponding software system, providing reliable data support for precision tomato breeding and intelligent cultivation, as well as a reference methodology for phenotyping other fruit crops.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods深度カメラ、画像処理、深層学習を統合し、トマト果実の12形質を自動抽出・定量する装置とソフトウェアを開発しており、表現型取得法が研究の中心である。

abstractAn intelligent detection framework for phenomics analysis of tomato fruits was developed in this study, which combines image processing techniques with deep learning algorithms to automate the extraction and quantitative analysis of 12 phenotypic traits

UAV‐based high‐throughput phenotyping for crop growth analysis and seed yield prediction in a nested association mapping population of lentils →

Abstract Unoccupied aerial vehicle (UAV)‐based high‐throughput phenotyping provides scalable and cost‐effective access to phenotypic information for crop improvement, yet its application in minor crops such as lentil ( Lens culinaris Medik.) remains limited. This study applied UAV‐derived canopy traits and crop growth regression modeling to a nested association mapping population developed from CDC Redberry crossed with 32 diverse founder lines. UAV imagery collected across four site‐years was used to capture canopy height, crop area, and crop volume per plot basis at multiple time points. Crop growth regression models were fitted to derive crop growth parameters, maximum canopy size, growth rate, and cumulative growth anchored to phenological stages. These static and time‐series traits were evaluated for seed yield prediction using partial least squares regression with a 70:20:10 data split and 10‐fold cross‐validation. Static traits such as maximum crop volume and maximum crop area were consistently associated with yield. Dynamic trait‐based models improved prediction accuracy and identified the swollen pod stage (R5–R6) as the most informative forecasting window. External validation using an independent trial confirmed the generalizability of the approach. This study presents a UAV phenotyping framework that supports crop growth dissection and early yield prediction and downstream trait discovery in lentil.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像から作物の形態・成長形質を抽出し、時系列成長モデルと収量予測を検証するフレームワークが研究の中心であるため。

abstractUAV imagery collected across four site‐years was used to capture canopy height, crop area, and crop volume per plot basis at multiple time points.

Leaf functional trait dataset of 93 dominant woody species from the central Western Ghats, India. →

We present a comprehensive dataset of qualitative and quantitative leaf functional traits for 93 dominant woody species representing two distinct leafing phenologies and three growth forms from the central Western Ghats of India. Quantitative assessments were conducted for nine key traits: leaf area (LA), mean thickness (LTH), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), leaf tissue density (LTD), leaf nitrogen concentration (Leaf N), carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N), and phytolith yield, following standard protocols. For each species, 30 leaves were sampled from a minimum of five individuals, totalling 2790 leaf samples. Qualitative traits, including leaf shape, margin, surface, texture, apex, base, type, and latex presence, were recorded in the field and validated using field manuals. The majority of species sampled were evergreen (74 %), with deciduous species comprising the remainder. Given the growing importance of plant functional traits in ecological research, this dataset offers valuable species-level leaf trait information at the regional scale. The phytolith yield data, in particular, represent one of the few globally available datasets, providing essential baselines for palaeoecological research and enabling quantitative reconstruction of vegetation composition and environmental change over millennial timescales.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の葉形質を標準化プロトコルで体系的に収集した再利用可能なデータセット論文であり、データセット自体が中心的な成果である。

abstractWe present a comprehensive dataset of qualitative and quantitative leaf functional traits for 93 dominant woody species

SCAN: an automated phenotyping tool for real-time capture of leaf stomatal traits in canola →

Canola is an important economic and agronomic crop globally, but its yield is under threat due to climate change. Stomata are a key breeding target because of their importance in carbon capture and water use efficiency. However, screening for elite stomatal traits could be laborious and time-consuming. We developed a new toolkit called Stomatal Comprehensive Automated Neural Network or SCAN that combines the use of high-resolution portable digital microscopy with machine learning to automate stomatal trait phenotyping in canola. We show that SCAN can rapidly measure stomatal density, size, and pore area in canola at 97-99% accuracy, and capture real-time stomatal pore status that strongly correlated with leaf porometer measurement in canola. Here we use SCAN to investigate how leaf stomatal traits vary through a canopy in different ecotypes of canola grown in the field and glasshouse conditions. SCAN revealed that stomatal density in canola decreases in more expanded leaves with the abaxial surface having up to 40% more stomata that are 2× more open than the adaxial surface. SCAN also showed that patterns of stomatal traits in canola vary between leaf position in the canopy and change with environment in an ecotype-dependent manner.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods葉の気孔形質を自動取得する画像・機械学習ツールを開発し、精度検証と既存測定との相関評価を行っており、植物表現型取得法が研究の中心である。

abstractWe developed a new toolkit called Stomatal Comprehensive Automated Neural Network or SCAN that combines the use of high-resolution portable digital microscopy with machine learning to automate stomatal trait phenotyping in canola.

APTES: a high-throughput deep learning-based Arabidopsis phenotypic trait estimation system for individual leaves and siliques. →

High-throughput phenotyping of growth kinetics and organ size in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana requires rapid and precise methods for trait estimation. To address this need, we developed the Arabidopsis Phenotypic Trait Estimation System, APTES, an open-access, high-throughput program that uses computer vision and deep learning to extract 64 leaf traits and 64 silique traits from photographs. The enhanced segmentation model Cascade Mask Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (Mask R-CNN) achieved precision (measure of positive prediction accuracy), recall (sensitivity in detection), and F1 score values (harmonic mean of precision and recall) of 0.965, 0.958, and 0.961, respectively, for individual leaf segmentation. These metrics demonstrated a consistent improvement of approximately 1 percentage point over the baseline model. For silique segmentation, our enhanced DetectoRS model for silique segmentation attained precision, recall, and F1 scores of 0.954, 0.930, and 0.942, respectively. Notably, precision increased by 1%, while the F1 score improved by 2 percentage points. Trait parameters were automatically calculated with coefficient of determination values for leaf and silique traits ranging from 0.776 to 0.976 and mean absolute percentage error values from 1.89% to 7.90%. We phenotyped 166 Arabidopsis accessions, using APTES, and subjected the resulting values to a genome-wide association study (GWAS), revealing 1,042 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as being significantly associated with 18 leaf and silique traits, and one significant SNP on chromosome 3 linked to silique number. Furthermore, we validated APTES across other public Arabidopsis databases and other plant species, with segmentation results demonstrating its applicability across diverse datasets. In conclusion, APTES is a valuable automated tool for leaf and silique segmentation and trait estimation, which should offer benefits to the broader plant science community. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42994-025-00239-y.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の葉・莢の形質を画像から抽出する深層学習システムを開発し、性能検証・他データセットでの妥当性確認まで行っており、フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractwe developed the Arabidopsis Phenotypic Trait Estimation System, APTES, an open-access, high-throughput program that uses computer vision and deep learning to extract 64 leaf traits and 64 silique traits from photographs.

Leaf bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) prediction with phenotypic traits in four species: Development of a novel measuring and analyzing framework. →

Light intensity and spectral distribution within plant canopies provides insights into the effects of optimizing canopy architecture on light use efficiency. Breeding crop varieties with a "smart" canopy, characterized by erect upper-layer leaves and flat lower-layer leaves, can be supported with a 3D canopy model which can simulate light distribution for a particular canopy architecture. Leaf optical properties are required parameters for such canopy photosynthesis model to accurately predict canopy microclimate and hence photosynthetic efficiency. In this study, we developed a strategy to estimate the leaf optical properties based on leaf anatomical features. We developed a Directional Spectrum Detection Instrument (DSDI) system and associated Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) analysis software to precisely describe leaf light distribution. BRDF parameters were quantified with high accuracy ( R2>0.95 ) for adaxial and abaxial surfaces of maize, rice, cotton, and poplar leaves across canopy layers. Leaf phenotypic traits, surface roughness, pigments content, specific leaf weight and thickness were also assessed. Ensemble learning (EL) model showed excellent predictive performance for leaf optical properties based on phenotypic traits with R 2 between 0.83 and 0.99. Compared to existing BRDF measurement systems, the DSDI achieves broader angular coverage (-π/36 to 35π/36) via mechanical rotation design, and the ensemble learning model establishes the first direct predictive relationship between BRDF parameters and leaf phenotypic traits. This work presents a new approach to quantify leaf optical properties and offers predictive models for leaf optical properties, which can support canopy light distribution prediction and hence support design leaf features for higher canopy photosynthesis efficiency.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods葉の光学特性と表現型形質を取得・予測する測定機器、BRDF解析ソフトウェア、機械学習モデルを開発しており、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractthe ensemble learning model establishes the first direct predictive relationship between BRDF parameters and leaf phenotypic traits.

Aerial imagery and Segment Anything Model for architectural trait phenotyping to support genetic analysis in peanut breeding. →

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are reliable tools for field phenotyping, enabling rapid, large-scale, and cost-effective data collection to support breeding programs. However, many UAS-based approaches rely on manual data processing, limiting scalability and efficiency. This study presents a fully automated pipeline for high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) of peanut crop architectural traits, including canopy height (CH), growth habit (GH), and mainstem prominence (MP) by integrating UAS imagery, a vision foundation model-Segment Anything Model (SAM), and convolutional neural networks (CNN). SAM auto-mask generator mode was used to identify field extent and orientation, while SAM interactive mode enabled individual plot segmentation using auto-generated point prompts. Terrain points automatically sampled near each plot were used to model the ground surface and compute the canopy height model, allowing CH estimations at the plot level. CH estimations showed strong agreement with manual measurements (R² ​= ​0.78, RMSE ​= ​3 ​cm, MAPE ​= ​10 ​%). For MP and GH estimation, three pre-trained CNN models (AlexNet, ResNet18, and EfficientNet-B0) were evaluated, with AlexNet achieving the highest accuracy (89 ​% for GH, 83 ​% for MP). To assess the feasibility of using these HTP-derived estimations in plant breeding, quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was performed, identifying major-effect loci associated with these traits. The results were consistent with conventional QTL mapping methods, demonstrating that UAS-based phenotyping provides reliable trait data for genetic studies in peanut breeding. Overall, our deep learning-based data processing workflow minimizes manual efforts, providing an efficient and scalable approach that can accelerate genetic studies and trait selection in large-scale breeding programs.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAS画像、SAM、CNNを統合したピーナッツの草冠高・生育型・主茎優勢度の自動推定パイプラインを開発・検証しており、表現型取得と抽出手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study presents a fully automated pipeline for high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) of peanut crop architectural traits, including canopy height (CH), growth habit (GH), and mainstem prominence (MP) by integrating UAS imagery, a vision foundation model-Segment Anything Model (SAM), and convolutional neural networks (CNN).

A spontaneous keypoints connection algorithm for leafy plants skeletonization and phenotypes extraction. →

Introduction: Leaf phenotypes are key indicators of plant growth status. Existing deep learning-based leaf skeletonization typically requires extensive manual labeling, long training, and predefined keypoints, which limits scalability. We developed a training-free and label-free approach that connects spontaneously detected keypoints to generate leaf skeletons for leafy plants. Methods: The method comprises random seed-point generation and adaptive keypoint connection. For plants with random leaf morphology, we determine a threshold for the angle difference among any three consecutive adjacent points and iteratively identify keypoints within circular search neighborhoods to trace leaf skeletons. For plants with regular leaf morphology, we fit the skeleton trajectory by minimizing curvature. We validated the approach on vertical and front-view images of orchids (covering random and regular morphological cases) and extracted five phenotypic parameters from the resulting skeletons. Generalization was further assessed on a maize image dataset. Results: On orchid images, the proposed approach achieved an average curvature fitting error of 0.12 and an average leaf recall of 92%. Five orchid phenotypic parameters were accurately derived from the skeletons. The method also showed effective skeletonization on maize, indicating cross-species applicability. Discussion: By eliminating manual labels and training, this approach reduces annotation effort and computational overhead while enabling precise geometric phenotype calculation from skeleton-based keypoints. Its effectiveness on both randomly distributed and regularly shaped leafy plants suggests suitability for high-throughput plant phenotyping workflows.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods葉の骨格化とフェノタイプ抽出のための画像解析手法を開発し、複数植物種で検証しているため、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心的である。

abstractWe developed a training-free and label-free approach that connects spontaneously detected keypoints to generate leaf skeletons for leafy plants.

New-generation rice seed germination assessment: high efficiency and flexibility via SeedRuler web-based platform. →

Introduction The germination rate of rice seed is a critical indicator in agricultural research and production, directly influencing crop yield and quality. Traditional assessment methods based on manual visual inspection are often time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to subjectivity. Existing automated approaches, while helpful, typically suffer from limitations such as rigid germination standards, strict imaging requirements, and difficulties in handling the small size, dense arrangement, and variable radicle lengths of rice seeds. Methods To address these challenges, we present SeedRuler, a versatile, web-based application designed to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and usability of rice seed germination analysis. SeedRuler integrates three core components: SeedRuler-IP, a traditional image processing-based module; SeedRuler-YOLO, a deep learning model built on YOLOv5 for high-precision object detection; and SeedRuler-SAM, which leverages the Segment Anything Model (SAM) for fine-grained seed segmentation. A dataset of 1,200 rice seed images was collected and manually annotated to train and evaluate the system. An interactive module enables users to flexibly define germination standards based on specific experimental needs. Results SeedRuler-YOLO achieved a mean average precision (mAP) of 0.955 and a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.110, demonstrating strong detection accuracy. Both SeedRuler-IP and SeedRuler-SAM support interactive germination standard customization, enhancing adaptability across diverse use cases. In addition, SeedRuler incorporates an automated seed size measurement function developed in our prior work, enabling efficient extraction of seed length and width from each image. The entire analysis pipeline is optimized for speed, delivering germination results in under 30 seconds per image. Conclusions SeedRuler overcomes key limitations of existing methods by combining classical image processing with advanced deep learning models, offering accurate, scalable, and user-friendly germination analysis. Its flexible standard-setting and automated measurement features further enhance usability for both researchers and agricultural practitioners. SeedRuler represents a significant advancement in rice seed phenotyping, supporting more informed decision-making in seed selection, breeding, and crop management.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsイネ種子の発芽状態と種子サイズを画像から抽出するウェブ型フェノタイピング手法を開発し、データセットで性能評価しているため、方法が研究の中心である。

abstractwe present SeedRuler, a versatile, web-based application designed to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and usability of rice seed germination analysis.

Evolution of crop phenotypic spaces through domestication →

Summary We used domestication as an in vivo replicated experiment to investigate how divergent selection has shaped the evolution of multivariate phenotypic spaces. We measured 11 to 57 qualitative and quantitative traits in 13 species, either unique or shared between species, and established a framework for cross-species comparisons. Our results revealed significant convergence that translated into a cross-species domestication syndrome. Most species exhibited a reduction of the multivariate phenotypic space during domestication. We brought evidence that Near Infrared spectra measured on leaves reflect phenotypic evolution unrelated with domestication, enabling its use as a control for sampling effects across species. Building on this, we developed a multivariate Phenotypic Divergence Index (mPDI) to rank species by the extent of phenotypic divergence under domestication. We found a high disjunction of wild and domestic phenotypic spaces in all species. Neither the mPDI nor the relative size of wild versus domestic multivariate phenotypic spaces was influenced by the domestication timing or mating system. Lastly, we observed a progressive decoupling of trait correlations with increasing time since domestication. In addition to introducing a new index that can be applied for cross-species comparisons, our study uncovers recurring patterns shared among species, pointing to general principles underlying plant domestication.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods多変量形質空間を比較する枠組みと新しいPhenotypic Divergence Index（mPDI）を開発しており、植物表現型の定量・比較手法が主要な貢献です。

abstractBuilding on this, we developed a multivariate Phenotypic Divergence Index (mPDI) to rank species by the extent of phenotypic divergence under domestication.

A high-throughput phenotyping dataset for GWAS analysis of maize under combined drought and heat stress. →

This dataset was generated to characterize the physiological and morphological mechanisms underlying tolerance and resilience to combined drought and heat stress using a panel of 106 Mediterranean maize inbred lines. To achieve this, high-throughput non-invasive phenotyping combined with genome-wide association analysis was applied to accurately capture the dynamic responses of the maize lines to stress and to dissect the genetic basis of maize tolerance and resilience. Two experiments were conducted under control (25/20 °C, 70 % field capacity (FC)) and stress conditions (35/25 °C, 30 % FC). Stress was applied from 18 to 32 DAS (days after sowing), followed by a recovery period under control conditions. Plants were grown under controlled air temperature and soil water content, and were harvested at 45 DAS. Throughout the cultivation period, multiple camera sensors captured images daily, allowing agronomic traits to be extracted for analysis. The dataset includes raw and processed images, phenotypic data obtained from these images, results of two photosynthesis related parameters, Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) results from one parameter as an example, and scripts used for data analysis. Additionally, metadata and a detailed description of the experimental setup are provided. This resource is suitable for researchers interested in stress phenotyping and quantitative genetics. It allows further exploration of genotype-by-environment interactions and integration with other omics datasets. The dataset provides a valuable foundation for studies aiming to understand and improve crop resilience to climate-related abiotic stresses.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の高スループット表現型取得を中心とするデータセットで、画像から農業形質を抽出するセンサー基盤、処理画像、表現型データ、解析スクリプトを提供しているため。

abstracthigh-throughput non-invasive phenotyping combined with genome-wide association analysis was applied to accurately capture the dynamic responses of the maize lines to stress

Three-dimensional reconstruction of densely planted rice seedlings based on MultiView images. →

Three-dimensional(3D) seedling reconstruction technology can provide critical technical support for monitoring plant growth, phenotyping high-throughput plants, and conducting precision agriculture. However, multiview image-based reconstruction methods, which rely on image registration and feature matching, are susceptible to issues such as similar textures and viewpoint differences, leading to matching errors and the loss of key structural information. This can result in local deficiencies and reduced accuracy in the reconstructed models. Therefore, to attain improved reconstruction accuracy under low-cost constraints, deep learning-based feature extraction and matching methods are employed in this study, the SuperPoint network is utilized to increase the robustness of the feature point detection and description processes, and the LightGlue algorithm is introduced to improve the accuracy and stability of matching. Additionally, to reduce the impact of shooting and platform jitter on image quality, a dedicated plant 3D reconstruction platform is designed and constructed, and a dataset of densely planted rice seedlings under light stress conditions is collected, comprising three factors (light quality, light quantity, and the photoperiod) ​× ​three levels, totaling nine groups. Experimental results show that the proposed method achieves optimal performance in terms of its point cloud completeness and reprojection error. The phenotypic parameters (e.g., plant height) extracted from the reconstruction data are strongly correlated with the actual measurements (R 2 ​= ​0.989, RMSE ​= ​4.54 ​mm), validating the potential of the proposed method for applications related to simulating plant growth processes, analyzing the effects of environmental factors (e.g., light), and optimizing crop cultivation schemes.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsマルチビュー画像によるイネ幼苗の3D再構成プラットフォームとデータセットを開発し、再構成精度および抽出形質を実測値と検証しており、表現型取得手法が研究の中心である。

abstractdeep learning-based feature extraction and matching methods are employed in this study

A Forward Genetics Strategy for High-Throughput Gene Identification via Precise Image-Based Phenotyping of an Indexed EMS Mutant Library. →

Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutants are widely used for genetic analysis; however, EMS-derived mutant populations are not amenable to traditional genome-wide association studies (GWAS) because the EMS mutations are present at extremely low frequencies. To address this challenge, this work develops the GeneHunter-Gene-Level Association (GH-GLA) pipeline using an EMS-generated population of wheat (Triticum aestivum) mutants and an image-based phenotyping platform. GH-GLA enables comprehensive exploration of phenotypic variation induced by genome-wide saturation mutagenesis. Using GH-GLA to quantify 83 traits in the wheat population reveals that variation in spikelet geometry is significantly associated with key agronomic traits, including thousand-kernel weight. Using this indexed wheat EMS population and phenotype data, GH-GLA identified 5905 genes that are significantly associated with specific traits. Analysis of knockouts generated by gene editing, together with haplotypes affected by selection during breeding and genetic variation in 262 wheat accessions, confirm the roles of TaAN-1, TaBAM5L, and TaXTH28L in regulating thousand-kernel weight and spikelet angle. Furthermore, this work establishes an epistatic interaction network between gene pairs to elucidate their combined effects on the phenotype. Overall, GH-GLA provides a powerful strategy for functional gene identification, and the alleles discovered here offer valuable genetic resources for crop improvement.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods画像ベースの表現型解析プラットフォームとGH-GLAパイプラインを開発・適用し、多数の小麦形質を定量して遺伝子同定に用いた研究であり、表現型取得・解析法が中心的です。

abstractthis work develops the GeneHunter-Gene-Level Association (GH-GLA) pipeline using an EMS-generated population of wheat (Triticum aestivum) mutants and an image-based phenotyping platform.

AngleCam V2: Predicting leaf inclination angles across taxa from daytime and nighttime photos →

Understanding how plants capture light and maintain their energy balance is crucial for predicting how ecosystems respond to environmental changes. By monitoring leaf inclination angle distributions (LIADs), we can gain insights into plant behaviour that directly influences ecosystem functioning. LIADs affect radiative transfer processes and reflectance signals, which are essential components of satellite-based vegetation monitoring. Despite their importance, scalable methods for continuously observing these dynamics across different plant species throughout day-night cycles are limited. We present AngleCam V2, a deep learning model that estimates LIADs from both RGB and near-infrared (NIR) night-vision imagery. We compiled a dataset of over 4,500 images across 200 globally distributed species to facilitate generalization across taxa. Moreover, we developed a method to simulate pseudo-NIR imagery from RGB imagery to enable an efficient training of a deep learning model for tracking LIADs across day and night. The model is based on a vision transformer architecture with mixed-modality training using the RGB and the synthetic NIR images. AngleCam V2 achieved substantial improvements in generalization compared to AngleCam V1 (R 2 = 0.62 vs 0.12 on the same holdout dataset). Phylogenetic analysis across 100 genera revealed no systematic taxonomic bias in prediction errors. Testing against leaf angle dynamics obtained from multitemporal terrestrial laser scanning demonstrated the reliable tracking of diurnal leaf movements (R 2 = 0.61-0.75) and the successful detection of water limitation-induced changes over a 14-day monitoring period. This method enables continuous monitoring of leaf angle dynamics using conventional cameras, enabling applications in ecosystem monitoring networks, plant stress detection, interpreting satellite vegetation signals, and citizen science platforms for global-scale understanding of plant structural responses.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods葉の傾斜角分布という植物形質を画像から推定する深層学習手法を開発し、大規模データセット、既存モデル比較、レーザースキャンによる検証、水ストレス下での追跡評価まで実施しており、フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心です。

abstractWe present AngleCam V2, a deep learning model that estimates LIADs from both RGB and near-infrared (NIR) night-vision imagery.

A surface morphology-based inference method for the cell wall elasticity profile in tip-growing cells →

Plant development and adaptation are highly dependent on cell morphology and growth. High turgor pressure in plants causes stress on the cell wall, followed by cell extension. In tip-growing cells, the localization of vesicles and cytoskeleton components has been well studied. However, there has been a lack of attention to the spatial profile of mechanical properties, specifically the cell wall elasticity. In this study, we introduce a new surface morphology-based method to measure the elasticity of the cell wall in tip-growing cells. Previous work is based on measurements from the wall meridional outline, a technique that cannot track the elastic deformation of the cell wall experimentally. Instead, we developed a way to infer the bulk modulus distribution from the cell surface by triangulating experimental marker points coming from fluorescent labeling. To justify the use of our protocol in tip-growing cells from the moss Physcomitrium patens , we replicated the experimental noise and moss morphology in simulated cells. In practice, we found that a larger triangulation improved robustness against noise, which agreed with our theoretical study. With multiple cell sampling, we determined that 10 cells were sufficient to recover the elasticity distribution with noise, but only when the elastic stretches were high enough. We then created a dimensionless map of inference error to verify a spatial change of P. patens bulk modulus within two folds. This technique will open the field to more comprehensive measurements of cell wall elasticity, providing a key step in understanding tip cell growth and morphogenesis. Author summary Tip-growing cells can be characterized by their fast growth concentrated at the cell’s apex. Their growth and morphogenesis are tightly regulated processes involving cell wall addition and rearrangement while the cell wall is under stress originating from the cell’s internal turgor pressure. We start by studying the cell wall’s elastic properties, one aspect of the cell growth process. We use a method of marker point tracking across the surface of the tip-growing cell to measure the wall’s elasticity profile. In this work, we present a parameter sensitivity study of this method on synthetic cells and report our results on experimental moss tip-growing cells. Our results suggest that this inference method can reliably measure a cell wall elasticity gradient under combined geometric and mechanical conditions that create elastic strains within 5% at the tip.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsコケの先端成長細胞における細胞壁弾性分布を、蛍光マーカーと表面形態から推定する新規測定法を開発し、シミュレーションおよび実細胞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。

abstractIn this study, we introduce a new surface morphology-based method to measure the elasticity of the cell wall in tip-growing cells.

Drone-based assessment of multifunctionality in mixed cropping systems →

Abstract Modern agriculture faces the dual challenge of sustainably increasing food production while mitigating the environmental impact of intensive monocultures. Mixed cropping, which is the cultivation of multiple species or varieties, may provide ecological benefits that address productivity and environmental sustainability challenges. However, evaluating its multifunctionality in conventional agricultural field experiments is costly and labour-intensive, and small sample sizes and high spatial variability often make it difficult to detect the statistical significance of mixed cropping effects. This study aims to introduce and validate a high-throughput field phenotyping (HTP) framework that integrates aerial imagery obtained from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to efficiently assess the multifunctionality of mixed cropping systems. We conducted a field experiment comparing monocultures of oat, rye, and barley; intraspecific mixed cropping combining three oat varieties; and interspecific mixed cropping combining oat, rye, and barley. Using UAV-derived data across the entire field, including vegetation cover, plant height, and the normalised difference vegetation index, we evaluated five multifunctionalities (biomass production, spatial variability in biomass production, early canopy closure, lodging resistance, and lodging resilience). This framework reveals that mixed cropping outperforms monocropping in several key ecological functions. The proposed UAV-based HTP approach enables cost-effective, robust, and scalable evaluation of mixed cropping systems, facilitating their optimisation for multifunctionality and contributing to the advancement of sustainable agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像から植被率・草高・NDVIなどの植物形質を取得する高スループット表現型解析フレームワークを導入・検証しており、フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心です。

abstractThis study aims to introduce and validate a high-throughput field phenotyping (HTP) framework that integrates aerial imagery obtained from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

Establishment of a high-throughput field defoliation data survey strategy combined with genome-wide association studies to reveal the genetic basis of defoliation in cotton. →

Pre-harvest defoliation of cotton is a key agricultural measure to improve mechanical harvesting efficiency and raw cotton purity. Collecting data on cotton defoliation traits for genetic localization and thus breeding defoliation-prone varieties is an essential alternative to traditional defoliant spraying. Nevertheless, it is hampered by low throughput and artificial error in manual field surveys. In this study, a framework for collecting high-throughput defoliation data in large fields was established. Three spectral indices (MTCI, VDVI, CI) and leaf area index (LAI) were first screened as core predictors through hierarchical segmentation analysis in three levels: leaf number (LN), leaf number difference (LND), and defoliation rate (DR). Four deep learning architectures (CNN, BiGRU, CNN-BiGRU, and CNN-BiGRU-Attention) were developed, and the CNN-BiGRU-Attention hybrid model demonstrated superior performance at all three levels, with R 2 values exceeding 0.85. Importantly, the inversion accuracy of this model at the LN and LND levels was superior to that at the DR level, which was also confirmed by the results of the genome-wide association study (GWAS). We combined GWAS and transcriptome results to identify a new gene, GhDR_UAV1 , associated with defoliation traits. The overexpression of GhDR_UAV1 significantly promoted the wilting of cotton leaves, indicating that GhDR_UAV1 plays a positive regulatory role in cotton defoliation. This study proposed a strategy to invert cotton defoliation data at three levels using deep learning fusion of UAV remote sensing data and LAI data and confirmed that LND can provide accurate phenotypic data for GWAS analysis. This study provides a new theoretical basis for cotton defoliation regulation and genetic improvement by integrating cotton high-throughput defoliation phenomics and genomics from an innovative perspective.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAVリモートセンシング、LAI、深層学習を統合し、ワタの落葉形質を高スループット推定する方法を開発・評価しており、表現型取得が研究の中心である。

abstracta framework for collecting high-throughput defoliation data in large fields was established

FloralArea: AI-powered algorithm for automated calculation of floral area from flower images to support plant and pollinator research →

Floral area is a major predictor of the attractiveness of a flowering plant for pollinators, yet the measurement of floral area is time-consuming and inconsistent across studies. Here, we developed an AI-powered algorithm, FloralArea, to automate floral area measurement from an image. The FloralArea algorithm has two main components: an object segmentation module and an area estimation module. The object segmentation module extracts the pixels of flowers and the reference object in an image. The area estimation module predicts floral area based on the ratio between flower and reference object pixels. We fine-tuned two YOLOv8 segmentation models for flower and reference object segmentation. The flower segmentation model achieved moderate precision, recall, mAP0.5, and mAP0.5-0.95 of 0.794, 0.68, 0.741, and 0.455 on the test dataset, while the reference object model achieved an impressive performance of 0.907, 0.940, 0.933, and 0.832. We evaluated FloralArea using 75 images of flowering plants. We used ImageJ to calculate the actual floral area for all the images and compared them with the predicted floral area from FloralArea. The predicted floral area correlated well with the measured floral area with a coefficient of determination (R 2 ) of 0.93 and a root mean square error of 20.58 cm 2 . The FloralArea algorithm reduced the time it takes to calculate floral area from an image by 99.24% compared with traditional methods with image processing tools like ImageJ. By streamlining floral area estimation, the FloralArea algorithm provides a scalable, efficient, consistent, and accessible tool for researchers, particularly to aid in assessing plant attractiveness to different pollinator groups.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods花画像から花の面積という植物形質を自動抽出するAI手法を開発し、実測値との比較検証と処理時間評価を行っており、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心です。

abstractHere, we developed an AI-powered algorithm, FloralArea, to automate floral area measurement from an image.

LenRuler: a rice-centric method for automated radicle length measurement with multicrop validation. →

Radicle length is a critical indicator of seed vigor, germination capacity, and seedling growth potential. However, existing measurement methods face challenges in automation, efficiency, and generalizability, often requiring manual intervention or re-annotation for different seed types. To address these limitations, this paper proposes an automated method, LenRuler, with a primary focus on rice seeds and validation in multiple crops. The method leverages the Segment Anything Model (SAM) as the foundational segmentation model and employs a coarse-to-fine segmentation strategy combined with Gaussian-based classification to automatically generate bounding boxes and centroids, which are then fed into SAM for precise segmentation of the seed coat and radicle. The radicle length is subsequently computed by converting the geodesic distance between the radicle skeleton's farthest endpoint and its nearest intersection with the seed coat skeleton into the true length. Experiments on the Riceseed1 dataset show that the proposed method achieves a Dice coefficient of 0.955 and a Pixel Accuracy of 0.944, demonstrating excellent segmentation performance. Radicle length measurement experiments on the Riceseed2 test set show that the Mean Absolute Error (MAE) was 0.273 ​mm and the coefficient of determination (R 2 ) was 0.982, confirming the method's high precision for rice. On the Otherseed dataset, the predicted radicle lengths for maize ( Zea mays ), pearl millet ( Pennisetum glaucum ), and rye ( Secale cereale ) are consistent with the observed radicle length distributions, demonstrating strong cross-species performance. These results establish LenRuler as an accurate and automated solution for radicle length measurement in rice, with validated applicability to other crop species.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsイネを中心に複数作物の幼根長を画像から自動抽出・推定する手法を開発し、セグメンテーション性能と測定精度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。

abstractthis paper proposes an automated method, LenRuler, with a primary focus on rice seeds and validation in multiple crops.

Enhancing forest inventory via a videogrammetry approach for robust 3D reconstruction: A study using Insta 360 Pro 2 →

In this study, we explore the application of videogrammetry for 3D reconstruction in complex forest environments, aiming to enhance forest inventory measurement methods. Traditional techniques are often labor-intensive and lack scalability in dense or challenging terrain. We assess the efficacy of videogrammetry for generating 3D point clouds in complex forest environments, focusing on an Insta 360 Pro 2 setup with six fish-eye cameras. Harnessing this lightweight and user-friendly technology, we aim to elevate the process of data collection while delivering realistic visual representations of forest areas. Our approach enables the estimation of key forest characteristics, such as tree distribution and Diameter at Breast Height (DBH). The average errors for tree position and DBH measurements range from 5.2 cm to 18.8 cm and from 0.9 cm to 1.9 cm, respectively. The reconstructed 3D tree information is structurally similar to data obtained with Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS), with normally distributed Multiscale Model-to-Model Cloud Comparison (M3C2) errors with a mean of 0 cm and a standard deviation of 15 cm to 22 cm. Our method reduces the need for manual data collection, thus supporting effective forest management and planning.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods森林内の樹木形態（樹木位置・胸高直径）を videogrammetry で推定する手法を開発し、TLS と比較検証しており、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractWe assess the efficacy of videogrammetry for generating 3D point clouds in complex forest environments

Exploring the depth of the maize canopy LAI detected by spectroscopy based on simulations and in situ measurements. →

The vertical distribution of leaves plays a crucial role in the growth process of maize. Understanding the vertical spectral characteristics of maize leaves is crucial for monitoring their growth. However, accurate estimation of the vertical distribution of leaf area remains a significant challenge in practical investigations. To address this, we used a 3D RTM to simulate the layered canopy spectra of maize, revealing the impact of canopy structure on remote sensing penetration depth across different growth stages and planting densities. The results of this study revealed differences in detection depth across growth stages. During the early growth stage, the depth was concentrated in the bottom 1 to 3 leaves of the canopy, reaching 1 to 4 leaves at the ear stage and 1 to 7 leaves during the grain-filling stage. The planting density had a notable effect on the detection depth at the bottom of the canopy. Moreover, compared with the other spectral bands, the near-infrared spectral range exhibited greater sensitivity to density variations. In terms of LAI inversion, a FuseBell-Hybrid model was constructed. We analyzed VIs across different planting density and canopy structural scenarios and found that compared with lower layers, increased density reduced the relative change rate in the upper leaf layers. The sensitivity patterns differed between plant architectures: VIred exhibited density-dependent sensitivity, with distinct responses between plant types, and MTVI2 demonstrated optimal performance for mid-canopy monitoring. This study highlights the influence of the heterogeneous structural characteristics of maize canopies on remote sensing detection depth during different phenological stages, providing theoretical support for enhancing multilayer crop monitoring in precision agriculture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods分光計測と3D放射伝達モデルを用いてトウモロコシ冠層の検出深度およびLAI推定法を構築・評価しており、植物形質取得手法が研究の中心である。

abstractTo address this, we used a 3D RTM to simulate the layered canopy spectra of maize

Automating Leaf Area Measurement in Citrus: The Development and Validation of a Python-Based Tool →

Leaf area is a critical trait in plant physiology and agronomy, yet conventional measurement approaches such as those using ImageJ remain labor-intensive, user-dependent, and difficult to scale for high-throughput phenotyping. To address these limitations, we developed a fully automated, open-source Python tool for quantifying citrus leaf area from scanned images using multi-mask HSV segmentation, contour-hierarchy filtering, and batch calibration. The tool was validated against ImageJ across 11 citrus cultivars (n = 412 leaves), representing a broad range of leaf sizes and morphologies. Agreement between methods was near perfect, with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.997, mean bias within ±0.14 cm2, and error rates below 2.5%. Bland–Altman analysis confirmed narrow limits of agreement (±0.3 cm2) while scatter plots showed robust performance across both small and large leaves. Importantly, the Python tool successfully handled challenging imaging conditions, including low-contrast leaves and edge-aligned specimens, where ImageJ required manual intervention. Processing efficiency was markedly improved, with the full dataset analyzed in 7 s compared with over 3 h using ImageJ, representing a >1600-fold speed increase. By eliminating manual thresholding and reducing user variability, this tool provides a reliable, efficient, and accessible framework for high-throughput leaf area quantification, advancing reproducibility and scalability in digital phenotyping.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods柑橘葉面積の画像ベース測定ツールを開発し、ImageJとの比較検証と高スループット性能評価を行っており、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractwe developed a fully automated, open-source Python tool for quantifying citrus leaf area from scanned images using multi-mask HSV segmentation, contour-hierarchy filtering, and batch calibration.

Automated Rice Seedling Segmentation and Unsupervised Health Assessment Using Segment Anything Model with Multi-Modal Feature Analysis. →

This research presents a fully automated two-step method for segmenting rice seedlings and assessing their health by integrating spectral, morphological, and textural features. Driven by the global need for increased food production, the proposed method enhances monitoring and control in agricultural processes. Seedling locations are first identified by the excess green minus excess red index, which enables automated point-prompt inputs for the segment anything model to achieve precise segmentation and masking. Morphological features are extracted from the generated masks, while spectral and textural features are derived from corresponding red-green-blue imagery. Health assessment is conducted through anomaly detection using a one-class support vector machine, which identifies seedlings exhibiting abnormal morphology or spectral signatures suggesting stress. The proposed method is validated by visual inspection and Silhouette score, confirming effective separation of anomalies. For segmentation, the proposed method achieved mean dice scores ranging from 72.6 to 94.7. For plant health assessment, silhouette scores ranged from 0.31 to 0.44 across both datasets and various growth stages. Applied across three consecutive rice growth stages, the framework facilitates temporal monitoring of seedling health. The findings highlight the potential of advanced segmentation and anomaly detection techniques to support timely interventions, such as pruning or replacing unhealthy seedlings, to optimize crop yield.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsイネ幼苗の画像セグメンテーションと形態・スペクトル・テクスチャ特徴に基づく健康状態推定を中心とする手法開発・検証研究であり、植物表現型の取得と異常判定が中核です。

abstractThis research presents a fully automated two-step method for segmenting rice seedlings and assessing their health by integrating spectral, morphological, and textural features.

Spatially resolved analysis of growth dynamics in pome and drupe fruits of Rosaceae using 3D Gaussian Splatting →

Fruit growth has long been described using single- or double-sigmoid curves; however, these temporal models cannot fully capture the spatial heterogeneity that ultimately shapes a fruit. Here, we present a three-dimensional analysis pipeline that non-destructively tracks spatial fruit growth dynamics from field-collected imaginary. Surface landmarks were drawn, and video recordings were taken throughout development for three pome fruits, apple ( Malus × domestica ), Japanese pear ( Pyrus pyrifolia ) and European pear ( Pyrus communis ), and two drupe fruits, peach ( Prunus persica ) and Japanese apricot ( Prunus mume ), to track their motion. Using 3D Gaussian Splatting, we successfully reconstructed 3D models of the fruits, and the landmark displacement could be measured with high accuracy, with R 2 ≥ 0.98 when compared to manual recordings. We found a common spatial growth gradient in the longitudinal growth shared in the pomes and drupes of the Rosaceae; proximal (stem-end) regions exhibited more pronounced growth than the distal (stylar) end. An exception was found in European pear ‘Bartlett,’ which showed relatively vigorous growth in the distal region, explaining its distinct shape with expanded distal end. Transverse expansion varied far less than longitudinal expansion, with a possible association with initial fruit morphology. Inter-fruit growth variability peaked in the fastest-growing regions, particularly in the distal area of the European pear, highlighting the link between growth vigor and phenotypic variance. These results provide foundational insights into the developmental dynamics of both pome and drupe fruits of the Rosaceae family, contributing to the optimization of fruit size, shape, and uniformity.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3D Gaussian Splattingを用いて果実の3D再構成と空間的成長形質の非破壊計測パイプラインを開発し、手動記録との精度比較で検証しているため、フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractHere, we present a three-dimensional analysis pipeline that non-destructively tracks spatial fruit growth dynamics

Phenome‐to‐genome insights for evaluating root system architecture in field studies of maize →

Understanding the genetic basis of root system architecture (RSA) in crops requires innovative approaches that enable both high-throughput and precise phenotyping in field conditions. In this study, we evaluated multiple phenotyping and analytical frameworks for quantifying RSA in mature, field-grown maize in three field experiments. We used forward and reverse genetic approaches to evaluate >1700 maize root crowns, including a diversity panel, a biparental mapping population, and maize mutant and wild-type alleles at two known RSA genes, DEEPER ROOTING 1 (DRO1) and Rootless1 (Rt1). We show the utility of increasing the dimensionality of traditional two-dimensional (2D) techniques, referred to as the "2D multi-view" method, to improve the capture of whole root system information for mapping genetic variation influencing RSA. Comparison of univariate and multivariate genome-wide association study (GWAS) approaches revealed that multivariate traits were effective at dissecting complex RSA phenotypes and identifying pleiotropic quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Overall, three-dimensional (3D) root models generated from X-ray computed tomography and digital phenotyping captured a larger proportion of RSA trait variations compared to other methods of root phenotyping, as evidenced by both genome-wide and single-gene analyses. Among the individual root traits, root pulling force emerged as a highly heritable estimate of RSA that identified the largest number of shared QTLs with 3D phenotypes. Our study shows that integrating complementary phenotyping technologies helps to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the genetic architecture of RSA in field-grown maize.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods根系構造を定量化する複数の表現型解析法を比較・評価し、2Dマルチビュー、X線CT、デジタル表現型などの技術性能を遺伝解析で検証しており、表現型取得法が研究の中心である。

abstractwe evaluated multiple phenotyping and analytical frameworks for quantifying RSA in mature, field-grown maize

De-occlusion models and diffusion-based data augmentation for size estimation of on-plant oriental melons. →

Accurate fruit size estimation is crucial for plant phenotyping, as it enables precise crop management and enhances agricultural productivity by providing essential data for growth and resource efficiency analysis. In this study, we estimated the size of on-plant oriental melons grown in a vertical cultivation system to address the challenges posed by leaf occlusion. Data augmentation was achieved using a diffusion model to generate synthetic leaves to cover existing fruits and create an enriched dataset. Three instance segmentation models-mask region-based convolutional neural network (CNN), Mask2Former, and detection transformer (DETR)-and six de-occlusion models derived from these architectures were implemented. These models successfully inferred both visible and occluded areas of the fruit. Notably, Amodal Mask2Former and occlusion-aware RCNN (ORCNN) achieved average precision scores of 85.92 ​% and 85.35 ​%, respectively. The inferred masks were used to estimate the height and diameter of the fruit, with Amodal Mask2Former yielding a mean absolute error of 5.46 ​mm and 4.20 ​mm and a mean absolute percentage error of 4.86 ​% and 5.33 ​%, respectively. The results indicate enhanced performance of the transformer-based Amodal Mask2Former over CNN architectures in de-occlusion tasks and size estimation. Finally, the enhancement in de-occlusion models compared to conventional models was assessed and demonstrated across occlusion ratios ranging from 0 to 70 ​%. However, generating synthetic datasets with occlusion ratios over 70 ​% remains a limitation.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods果実の遮蔽領域を復元し、画像から果実サイズを推定する手法の開発・評価が研究の中心であり、植物表現型計測に該当する。

abstractAccurate fruit size estimation is crucial for plant phenotyping

Dissecting lentil crop growth in contrasting environments using digital imaging and genome‐wide association studies →

Abstract The development of high‐throughput phenotyping platforms to capture time‐series data on large, diverse populations holds promise for crop researchers and breeders investigating growth‐related traits. We used imagery from unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAVs) with red/green/blue (RGB) and multispectral cameras flown over multiple site‐years in Saskatchewan, Canada, and Metaponto, Italy, to gather data for crop height, area, and volume in a lentil diversity panel (324 genotypes). The temporal nature of the UAV image‐derived data enabled the modeling of growth curves for volume, height, and area, something that would be impractical under traditional phenotyping procedures in such a large population grown in multiple environments. A principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering revealed differential growth patterns across contrasting environments, with large variations in temperature and photoperiod, within our lentil diversity panel. Combining this analysis with genome‐wide genotyping data, we identified markers, from an exome capture array (267,845 single nucleotide polymorphisms), associated with crop growth that could be used for marker‐assisted selection. Our study demonstrates the potential for UAV‐based imaging to obtain large‐scale time‐series data across multiple environments to model growth curves and investigate genotype‐by‐environment interactions. In addition, we can now use phenotypic traits that were once impractical to collect and derive novel phenotypes to improve our understanding of crop growth and the genetics underlying adaptation in lentil, approaches that will be useful for both researchers and breeders.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像からレンティルの高さ・面積・体積を時系列推定し、大規模集団で成長曲線をモデル化するフェノタイピング手法の実質的な適用・評価が中心である。

abstractThe development of high‐throughput phenotyping platforms to capture time‐series data on large, diverse populations holds promise for crop researchers and breeders investigating growth‐related traits.

High-resolution three-dimensional mapping of eelgrass (Zostera marina) habitat and blue carbon using drone-borne LiDAR →

The accessibility of flying drones (Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles) presents scientists and managers with reproducible and cost-effective methods to monitor submerged aquatic vegetation. In particular, drone-borne topobathymetric LiDAR provides high-resolution (cm-scale), three-dimensional information about the geometry and structure of surveyed areas, allowing for quantification of vegetation volume in addition to bathymetry. For habitat-forming submerged and intertidal vegetation like seagrass, this information can advance research regarding the structure and patchiness of canopies in relation to biodiversity, blue carbon storage, and hydrodynamic processes. Here, we report how drone-borne LiDAR can be used to estimate the habitat volume of eelgrass (Zostera marina) within a sheltered bay in south-eastern Norway. After classifying LiDAR points using a Random Forest model, we created a Digital Terrain Model of the sea floor and a Digital Surface Model of the eelgrass canopy. From these models, we estimated eelgrass canopy volume to range between 862 and 1099 m3 across the small study area. From the volume, we estimated above-ground carbon storage in living eelgrass tissue to range between 96 and 122 kg. To our knowledge, this is the first study to utilise drone-borne LiDAR to quantify the volume and carbon-storage potential of a marine habitat-forming species like eelgrass, thereby demonstrating the potential of drone-borne LiDAR as an efficient tool to provide reproducible and high-resolution data for submerged aquatic habitats, including seagrass meadows.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsドローン搭載LiDARを用いて eelgrass のキャノピー体積という植物形態形質を推定する方法が研究の中心であり、分類、地形・表面モデル作成、再現可能な高解像度測定手法として記述されているため。

abstractHere, we report how drone-borne LiDAR can be used to estimate the habitat volume of eelgrass (Zostera marina) within a sheltered bay in south-eastern Norway.

Analysis of Wheat Spike Morphological Traits by 2D Imaging. →

Wheat spike morphology plays a critical role in determining grain yield and has garnered significant interest in genetics and breeding research. However, traditional measurement methods are limited to simple traits and fail to capture complex spike phenotypes with high precision, thus limiting progress in yield-related trait analysis. In this study, a deep learning pipeline, called Speakerphone, for acquiring precise wheat spike phenotypes was developed. Our pipeline achieved a mean intersection over union (mIoU) of 0.948 in spike segmentation. Additionally, the spike traits measured by our method strongly agreed with the manually measured values, with Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.9865 for spike length, 0.9753 for the number of spikelets per spike, and 0.9635 for fertile spikelets. Using experimental data of 221 wheat cultivars from various regions of Zhao County, Hebei Province, China, our pipeline extracted 45 phenotypes and analyzed their correlations with thousand-grain weight (TGW) and spike yield. Our findings indicate that precise measurements of spike area, spikelet area, and other phenotypic traits clarify the correlation between spike morphology and wheat yield. Through hierarchical clustering on the basis of spike morphology, we categorized wheat spikes into six classes and identified the phenotypic differences among these classes and their effects on TGW and yield. Furthermore, phenotypic differences among wheat cultivars from different geographical regions and over decades were revealed in this study, with an increase in the number of large-spike cultivars over time, especially in southern China. This research may help breeders understand the relationship between wheat spike morphology and yield, thus providing an important basis for future wheat breeding efforts.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods小麦穂の画像から形態形質を抽出する深層学習パイプラインを開発し、セグメンテーション性能と手動測定との一致を検証しているため、フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心です。

abstracta deep learning pipeline, called Speakerphone, for acquiring precise wheat spike phenotypes was developed.

Assessing Species Fractional Cover and α-Diversity in Boreal Peatlands Across Trophic Levels Using Hyperspectral Data. →

Boreal peatlands, which act as significant sinks and storage of global soil organic carbon, are increasingly threatened by the changing climate conditions as well as land use changes. Despite the importance of these ecosystems, their vegetation and ecological features remain poorly mapped compared to other terrestrial ecosystems. Hyperspectral satellite imaging shows promise for detailed vegetation mapping and biodiversity monitoring of boreal peatlands. However, its effective application requires a fundamental understanding of the spectral properties of the vegetation communities of boreal peatlands. To address this, we combined newly available, open-source data consisting of close-range sensed spectral libraries of boreal peatland vegetation communities and single species. Our aim was to examine the extent to which close-range spectral data can be used to predict species-specific fractional cover in minerotrophic and ombrotrophic peatland habitats using hyperspectral and multispectral data, and to assess the connection between spectral signatures and α-diversity of the vegetation communities. Our findings show that hyperspectral data can be used to predict the fractional cover of certain plant species with moderate accuracy ( R 2 = 0.58). When comparing data types, hyperspectral data typically produced slightly better model fits for species with larger sample sizes, appearing to be superior to multispectral data. However, in certain cases, such as in the prediction of litter cover in ombrotrophic peatland habitats, multispectral data yielded marginally better results ( R 2 = 0.4-0.45). Furthermore, using hyperspectral data, we observed that the prediction of α-diversity of the ombrotrophic habitats was moderately better ( R 2 = 0.44) than that of the minerotrophic habitats ( R 2 = 0.22). These results enhance our understanding of the spectral properties of the complex, multilayered vegetation communities and thus aid in the mapping of these vital ecosystems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsハイパースペクトルおよびマルチスペクトルデータから植物種別被覆率と植生α多様性を推定する手法を中心に評価しており、植物群落形質の技術的推定が主題である。

abstractOur aim was to examine the extent to which close-range spectral data can be used to predict species-specific fractional cover in minerotrophic and ombrotrophic peatland habitats using hyperspectral and multispectral data, and to assess the connection between spectral signatures and α-diversity of the vegetation communities.

The Tonoplast Topology Index - a new metric for describing vacuole organization →

Background The plant vacuole arises by orchestrated interplay of membrane trafficking, cytoskeletal rearrangements and a variety of signalling pathways. In the root, the characteristic large central vacuole develops by endomembrane reorganization occurring mainly in the transition zone. The vacuole’s bounding membrane - the tonoplast - can be visualized in vivo using fluorescent protein markers, allowing for quantitative analysis of confocal microscopy images. Tonoplast organization can thus serve as a sensitive indicator of changes to any of the processes involved in vacuole biogenesis. The Vacuolar Morphology Index (VMI) is widely accepted as a quantitative measure of vacuole structure. However, this metric has two drawbacks - it only reflects the size of the largest vacuolar compartment (missing therefore possible differences in the organization of smaller compartments), and its determination is labor intensive, limiting its use on large datasets. Results We developed an alternative metric for describing vacuole organization, named the Tonoplast Topology Index (TTI), which overcomes the above-mentioned shortcomings of the VMI. We compared the performance of our protocol with VMI on a simulated dataset and on real data. To validate the methods’ performance, we used it to confirm the previously reported differences in vacuole shape and size between Arabidopsis thaliana roots grown on the surface of an agar medium compared to those embedded inside the agar. Both VMI and TTI could efficiently detect the relatively subtle changes in vacuole organization depending on the position of the root in the agar, and provided correlated results. However, only TTI produced data with close to normal value distribution, simplifying subsequent statistical evaluation. Conclusions We present the protocol for TTI determination as a two-stage semi-automated procedure involving microscopic image analysis employing an ImageJ macro and subsequent processing of numeric data in the Jupyter Notebook environment, together with benchmarking image data. Since this implementation is freeware-based, platform-independent and (relatively) user-friendly, we hope it will find its use as a high throughput, added value alternative to the VMI metric.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物の液胞構造を定量化する新規指標と半自動画像解析プロトコルを開発し、既存指標との比較・実データおよびシミュレーションによる検証、ベンチマークデータを提示しており、表現型取得・抽出法が中心である。

abstractWe developed an alternative metric for describing vacuole organization, named the Tonoplast Topology Index (TTI), which overcomes the above-mentioned shortcomings of the VMI.

Dissection of genomic drivers of spike morphology changes in wheat by high-throughput phenotyping →

Spike morphology is crucial for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield and environmental adaptation. We developed a high-throughput phenotyping platform to dissect spike morphology traits based on 54 traits in 1,359 wheat accessions. These 54 spike morphology traits exhibited clear geographical differences among 306 worldwide accessions and breeding selection trend across different time windows for 1,053 accessions released from 1900 to 2020 in China. Based on geographical distribution and breeding selection of haplotypes, we attribute the differences in spike morphology to variable haplotype combinations. Wheat breeding breaks the trade-off between spike length and width/thickness, resulting in increased spike volume. A large proportion of genomic regions has been identified across wheat varieties and utilized as a fixed group to facilitate the targeted improvement and selection of desirable traits during wheat breeding programs. Overall, we provide a resource for the molecular design of spike morphology to facilitate future wheat breeding.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsコムギ穂の形態形質を多数個体から取得するハイスループット表現型解析プラットフォームの開発と適用が研究の中心である。

abstractWe developed a high-throughput phenotyping platform to dissect spike morphology traits based on 54 traits in 1,359 wheat accessions.

TomatoWUR: An annotated dataset of tomato plants to quantitatively evaluate segmentation, skeletonisation, and plant-trait extraction algorithms for 3D plant phenotyping →

Plant phenotyping involves the measurements of plant traits to gain more insight into the interaction between the genotype (G), environment (E) and crop management strategies (M). To improve plant phenotyping, accurate measurements are crucial. Manual measurements are biased, time-intensive, and therefore limited to only a few plants. Especially measurements of 3D phenotypic traits, such as plant architecture, internode length, and leaf area are difficult to extract manually. To enhance the speed and accuracy of phenotyping, there is a need for automatic digital plant phenotyping solutions. The presented dataset contains 3D point clouds of tomato plants, which will enable researchers to develop novel methods to extract 3D phenotypic traits. Converting 3D point clouds to plant traits is also known as 3D plant phenotyping. This process can be subdivided into three steps: point cloud segmentation, skeletonisation to extract plant architecture, and plant-traits extraction. Those three steps need to be analysed properly to indicate bottlenecks and improve 3D phenotyping algorithms. Currently, the development of 3D phenotyping algorithms is inhibited by the availability of comprehensive datasets and algorithms to analyse all steps. To our best knowledge only five annotated datasets exist for testing and validating 3D phenotyping algorithms. However, these datasets mainly focus on the segmentation step. Skeletonisation and manual measured plant traits are frequently not included. To improve 3D plant phenotyping, a novel dataset, TomatoWUR, is presented. This comprehensive dataset consists of 44 point clouds of single tomato plants imaged by fifteen cameras to create a point cloud using the shape-from-silhouette methodology. The dataset includes annotated point clouds, skeletons, and manual reference measurements. In addition, the dataset includes software for comprehensive evaluation and comparison of phenotyping methods, which is expected to benefit the development of 3D phenotyping algorithms. The related software can be found our GIT: https://github.com/WUR-ABE/TomatoWUR.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3D植物フェノタイピング用の注釈付きデータセットと評価ソフトウェアを提示し、セグメンテーション、骨格化、形質抽出アルゴリズムの開発・検証を直接支援するため、方法論が中心である。

abstractThe presented dataset contains 3D point clouds of tomato plants, which will enable researchers to develop novel methods to extract 3D phenotypic traits.

From aerial drone to quantitative trait locus: leveraging next-generation phenotyping to reveal the genetics of color and height in field-grown Lactuca sativa. →

In recent years, accurate and low-cost variant calling has enabled the genotyping of large diversity panels for genome-wide association studies. As a result, phenotyping rather than genotyping is now the rate-limiting step, especially in field experiments. This has created a strong need for high-throughput, accurate, and low-cost in-field phenotyping. Here, we present a genome-wide association study (GWAS) study on 194 field-grown accessions of lettuce (Lactuca sativa). These accessions were non-destructively phenotyped at two time points 15 days apart using a drone equipped with an RGB and multispectral (MSP) camera. Our high-throughput phenotyping approach integrates an RGB- and MSP camera to measure the color and height of lettuce in this large-scale field experiment. We used the mean and other summary statistics, such as median, quantiles, skewness, kurtosis, minimum, and maximum to quantify different aspects of color and height variation in lettuce from the drone images. Using these summary statistics as traits for GWAS, we confirm several previously described genetic associations, now under field conditions, and identify additional novel associations for color and height traits in lettuce.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsドローン搭載RGB・マルチスペクトルカメラを用いて、レタスの色と高さを大規模・非破壊・定量測定する高スループット表現型解析手法が研究の中心であり、GWASへの応用も行っている。

abstractHere, we present a genome-wide association study (GWAS) study on 194 field-grown accessions of lettuce (Lactuca sativa). These accessions were non-destructively phenotyped at two time points 15 days apart using a drone equipped with an RGB and multispectral (MSP) camera.

Time course measurements of leaf elevation angles during shade avoidance response in Arabidopsis thaliana using Raspberry Pi computers and computer vision technique. →

Shade avoidance response in plants includes a higher leaf elevation angle. A cost-effective and noninvasive high throughput image analysis technique was used to measure the dynamics of leaf elevation angles during shade avoidance response in Arabidopsis . Time-lapse images were taken from the top and the side of a plant using Raspberry Pi computers. The leaf elevation index for each plant is determined from the plant dimensions measured by an image analysis software package PlantCV . This method was used to monitor the dynamics of changing leaf elevation angles in wild-type plants and in shade avoidance mutants pif4-2pif5-3 and pif7-2 plants.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsRaspberry Piと画像解析を用いて葉の仰角を定量化する高スループット手法が研究の中心であり、植物形質の時系列取得に実質的に適用されている。

abstractA cost-effective and noninvasive high throughput image analysis technique was used to measure the dynamics of leaf elevation angles during shade avoidance response in Arabidopsis .

Growth Cost and Transport Efficiency Tradeoffs Define Root System Optimization Across Varying Developmental Stages and Environments in Arabidopsis →

ABSTRACT Root system architecture (RSA) is central to plant adaptation and fitness, yet the design principles and regulatory mechanisms connecting RSA to environmental adaptation are not well understood. We developed Ariadne, a semi-automated software for quantifying cost-efficiency tradeoffs of RSA by mapping root networks onto a Pareto-optimality framework, which describes the balance between resource transport efficiency and construction cost. Applying Ariadne to Arabidopsis thaliana , we found that root architectures consistently assume Pareto-optimal forms across developmental stages, genotypes, and environmental conditions. Using the Discovery Engine, an engine that combines machine learning together with interpretability techniques, we found developmental stage, the hy5/chl1-5 genotype, and manganese availability as important determinants of the cost-efficiency tradeoff, with manganese exerting a unique influence not observed for other nutrients. These results reveal that RSA plasticity is genetically constrained to cost-efficiency optimal configurations and that developmental and environmental factors shift RSA on the pareto front, with manganese acting as a strong modulator of the transport efficiency and construction cost balance.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsRSAのコスト効率トレードオフを定量化する半自動ソフトウェアを開発し、植物形態形質の解析に適用しており、表現型取得・抽出手法が研究の中心である。

abstractWe developed Ariadne, a semi-automated software for quantifying cost-efficiency tradeoffs of RSA by mapping root networks onto a Pareto-optimality framework

High-Resolution 3D Reconstruction of Individual Rice Tillers for Genetic Studies →

The architecture of rice tillers plays a pivotal role in yield potential, yet conventional phenotyping methods have struggled to capture these intricate three-dimensional (3D) structures with high fidelity. In this study, a 3D model reconstruction method was developed specifically for rice tillers to overcome the challenges posed by their slender, feature-poor morphology in multi-view stereo-based 3D reconstruction. By applying strategically designed colorful reference markers, high-resolution 3D tiller models of 231 rice landraces were reconstructed. Accurate phenotyping was achieved by introducing ScaleCalculator, a software tool that integrated depth images from a depth camera to calibrate the physical sizes of the 3D models. The high efficiency of the 3D model-based phenotyping pipeline was demonstrated by extracting the following seven key agronomic traits: flag leaf length, panicle length, first internode length below the panicle, stem length, flag leaf angle, second leaf angle from the panicle, and third leaf angle. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) performed with these 3D traits identified numerous candidate genes, nine of which had been previously confirmed in the literature. This work provides a 3D phenomics solution tailored for slender organs and offers novel insights into the genetic regulation of complex morphological traits in rice.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsイネ分げつの3D再構成とScaleCalculatorによるスケール校正を開発し、7つの形態形質を抽出するフェノタイピング手法が研究の中心であるため。

abstracta 3D model reconstruction method was developed specifically for rice tillers

RsegNet: An Advanced Methodology for Individual Rubber Tree Segmentation and Structural Parameter Extraction from UAV LiDAR Point Clouds. →

As an important tropical cash crop, rubber trees play a key role in the rubber industry and ecosystem. However, a significant challenge in precision agriculture and refined management of rubber plantation lies in the limitations of traditional point cloud segmentation methods, which struggle to accurately extract structural parameters and capture the spatial layout of individual rubber trees. Therefore, we propose an optimized dual-channel clustering method for the UAV LiDAR-based Rubber Tree Point Cloud Segmentation Network (RsegNet) for improved assessment of rubber tree architecture and traits. Firstly, we designed a cosine feature extraction network, termed CosineU-Net, to address the branch-and-leaf overlap problem by calculating the cosine similarity of the spatial and positional features of each point, leveraging deep learning approaches to improve feature representation. Secondly, we constructed a dual-channel clustering module reducing prediction error in rubber tree point cloud data, integrating multi-class association and background classification to tackle background interference. The cluster identification and separation accuracy in high-dimensional data processing is enhanced through a dynamic clustering optimization algorithm. In our self-built dataset and across five regions of the FOR-instance forest dataset, RsegNet achieved the best performance compared to five state-of-the-art networks, reaching an F-score of 86.1%. This method calculated structural attributes including height, crown diameter, and volume for rubber trees in three areas under different environments in Danzhou City, Hainan Province, providing robust support for precise monitoring, plantation management, and health assessment.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV LiDAR点群の個体分割・構造形質抽出手法を開発し、精度比較と樹高・樹冠径・体積の算出まで行っており、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractwe propose an optimized dual-channel clustering method for the UAV LiDAR-based Rubber Tree Point Cloud Segmentation Network (RsegNet) for improved assessment of rubber tree architecture and traits.

Seeing the unseen: A novel approach to extract latent plant root traits from digital images. →

A novel approach, the Algorithmic Root Trait (ART) extraction method, identifies and quantifies computationally-derived plant root traits, revealing latent patterns related to dense root clusters in digital images. Using an ensemble of multiple unsupervised machine learning algorithms and a custom algorithm, 27 ARTs were extracted reflecting dense root cluster size and spatial location. These ARTs were then used independently and in combination with Traditional Root Traits (TRTs) to classify wheat genotypes differing in drought tolerance. ART-based models outperformed TRT-only models in drought classification (e.g., 96.3 ​% vs. 85.6 ​% accuracy). Combining ARTs and TRTs further improved accuracy to 97.4 ​%. Notably, 4 selected ARTs matched the performance of all 23 TRTs, offering 5.8 ​× ​higher information density (0.213 vs. 0.037 accuracy/feature). This superiority reflects the ability of ARTs to capture richer, more complex architectural information, evidenced by higher internal variability (35.59 ​± ​11.41 vs. 28.91 ​± ​14.28 for TRTs) and distinct data structures in multivariate analyses; PERMANOVA confirmed that ARTs and TRTs provide complementary insights. Validated through experiments in controlled environments and field conditions with wheat drought-tolerant and susceptible genotypes, ART offers a scalable, customisable toolset for high-throughput phenotyping of plant roots. By bridging conventional, visually derived traits with autonomous computational analyses, this method broadens root phenotyping pipelines and underscores the value of harnessing sensor data that transcends human perception. ART thus emerges as a promising framework for revealing hidden features in plant imaging, with broader applications across plant science to deepen our understanding of crop adaptation and resilience.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsデジタル画像から根の潜在形質を抽出する計算法を開発し、圃場・制御環境で検証した、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心の研究。

abstractA novel approach, the Algorithmic Root Trait (ART) extraction method, identifies and quantifies computationally-derived plant root traits

Correlative Imaging of Structural Biochemistry in Plant and Food Quality Research Within an Interoperable Data Acquisition Platform →

Abstract Correlative imaging is a powerful tool for revealing information on cell-type structures and their biochemistry, with the potential to inform healthier food choices and improved dietary recommendations. Determination of plant structures and their structural biochemistry advances our understanding of specific structures designed to store different biomolecules within cells and tissues. Compared to the classical biochemical separation techniques, the key advantage of sequential correlative imaging techniques is in relating spatial plant (micro)structures to their biochemistry in a nondestructive manner. Sequential imaging reported here comprises six methodologies on a single sample, a cross-section of a Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) grain, namely, bright-field and autofluorescence microscopy, fluorescence microspectroscopy, MeV-secondary ion mass spectrometry, micro-particle-induced X-ray emission, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Results confirm that the stepwise addition of the desired information across several classes of biomolecules and several spatial scales informs the quality and safety of plant-based produce across scales. Therefore, a viable workflow is proposed, enabling sequential spatial analysis of grain and highlighting plant structures' in situ specificity. The advantages and disadvantages of the selected methodologies were critically evaluated.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物粒の構造とその化学的特徴を複数の相関イメージング法で取得する再利用可能なワークフローを提案し、各手法の長短も評価しているため、表現型取得法が中心である。

abstractTherefore, a viable workflow is proposed, enabling sequential spatial analysis of grain and highlighting plant structures' in situ specificity.

Stomata morphology measurement with interactive machine learning: accuracy, speed, and biological relevance? →

Stomatal morphology plays a critical role in regulating plant gas exchange influencing water use efficiency and ecological adaptability. While traditional methods for analyzing stomatal traits rely on labor-intensive manual measurements, machine learning (ML) tools offer a promising alternative. In this study, we evaluate the suitability of a U-Net-based interactive ML software with corrective annotation for stomatal morphology phenotyping. The approach enables non-ML experts to efficiently segment stomatal structures across diverse datasets, including images from different plant species, magnifications, and imprint methods. We trained a single model based on images from five datasets and tested its performance on unseen data, achieving high accuracy for stomatal density (R 2 = 0.98) and size (R 2 = 0.90). Thresholding approaches applied to the U-Net segmentations further improved accuracy, particularly for density measurements. Despite significant variability between datasets, our findings demonstrate the feasibility of training a single segmentation model to analyze diverse stomatal data sets. Validation approaches showed that a semi-automatic approach involving correcting segmentations was five times faster than manual annotation while maintaining comparable accuracy. Our results also illustrate that ML metrics, such as the F1 score, correlate with accuracy in the statistical analysis of trait measurements with improvements diminishing after 2:30 h model training. The final model achieved high precision, allowing the detection of highly significant biological differences in stomatal morphology within plant, between genotypes and across growing environments. This study highlights interactive ML with corrective annotation as a robust and accessible tool for accelerating phenotyping in plant sciences, reducing technical barriers and promoting high-throughput analysis.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods気孔形態を対象としたU-Net分割と対話的補正による表現型取得手法を開発・検証しており、精度、速度、汎用性を評価しているため。

abstractwe evaluate the suitability of a U-Net-based interactive ML software with corrective annotation for stomatal morphology phenotyping.

Adaptive Symmetry Self-Matching for 3D Point Cloud Completion of Occluded Tomato Fruits in Complex Canopy Environments. →

As a globally important cash crop, the optimization of tomato yield and quality is strategically significant for food security and sustainable agricultural development. In order to address the problem of missing point cloud data on fruits in a facility agriculture environment due to complex canopy structure, leaf shading and limited collection viewpoints, the traditional geometric fitting method makes it difficult to restore the real morphology of fruits due to the dependence on data integrity. This study proposes an adaptive symmetry self-matching (ASSM) algorithm. It dynamically adjusts symmetry planes by detecting defect region characteristics in real time, implements point cloud completion under multi-symmetry constraints and constructs a triple-orthogonal symmetry plane system to adapt to multi-directional heterogeneous structures under complex occlusion. Experiments conducted on 150 tomato fruits with 5-70% occlusion rates demonstrate that ASSM achieved coefficient of determination (R 2 ) values of 0.9914 (length), 0.9880 (width) and 0.9349 (height) under high occlusion, reducing the root mean square error (RMSE) by 23.51-56.10% compared with traditional ellipsoid fitting. Further validation on eggplant fruits confirmed the cross-crop adaptability of the method. The proposed ASSM method overcomes conventional techniques' data integrity dependency, providing high-precision three-dimensional (3D) data for monitoring plant growth and enabling accurate phenotyping in smart agricultural systems.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsトマト果実の遮蔽点群を補完し、果実の長さ・幅・高さを推定する新規アルゴリズムを開発・検証しており、植物形質取得が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study proposes an adaptive symmetry self-matching (ASSM) algorithm.

Coupled X-ray imaging/diffraction reveals soil mechanics during analogous root growth. →

Soil compaction and escalating global drought increase soil strength and stiffness. It remains unclear which plant root biomechanical mechanisms/traits enable growth in these harsh conditions. Here, we combine synchrotron X-ray computed tomography with spatially resolved X-ray diffraction to characterize the biomechanics of a replica root-soil system. We map the strain field around the root tip analog, finding strong agreement with finite element simulations, thereby demonstrating a promising new in vivo measurement protocol.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods根の生育に関わる土壌内の力学的状態・ひずみを、X線CTと回折で可視化・定量する新しいin vivo測定プロトコルを開発・検証しており、植物表現型取得法が中心です。

abstractWe map the strain field around the root tip analog, finding strong agreement with finite element simulations, thereby demonstrating a promising new in vivo measurement protocol.

Title: KymoTip: High-throughput Characterization of Tip-growth Dynamics in Plant Cells →

Summary Live imaging data analysis often requires an objective, local, and accurate way of quantification of cell dynamics. In the research field of polarized tip-growth, the cell fluctuations and/or fluctuations in tip position and growth direction hampers automated analyses of huge amounts of imaging sequences. The fluctuated nature in data makes it unclear how cell shape and growth are linked to intracellular events that could be the actual driving force of cell growth. To overcome these difficulties, we developed a powerful and user-friendly tool called KymoTip with an available format. In this software, novel functions such as coordinate normalization, tip-bottom detection, and signal kymograph were implemented. We confirmed that not only plasma membrane-labeled fluorescent images, but also images such as bright-field and cortical microtubule markers —so long as the cell contours can be identified— are amenable to KymoTip. Furthermore, by combining markers for cell contours with those that visualize intracellular structures, it becomes possible to quantitatively analyze various intracellular events, such as nuclear migration and calcium wave, in conjunction with cellular growth dynamics. Since KymoTip can be handled by non-specialist, it is expected to promote understanding of what happens at the sub- and cellular level with high throughput outcomes. Significance statement Faced with fluctuations in cell coordinates and cell tip positions, position correction of live imaging data and accurate detection of tip position are key challenges in plant developmental biology. We solved them with a powerful and user-friendly tool, KymoTip, that can realize cell position correction, cell tip detection with cell centerline, and quantification of intracellular events.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物細胞のライブイメージから細胞形状・先端位置・成長動態を定量化する解析ソフトウェアを開発しており、植物フェノタイピング手法が中心です。

abstractwe developed a powerful and user-friendly tool called KymoTip

Photothermal Integration of Multi-Spectral Imaging Data via UAS Improves Prediction of Target Traits in Oat Breeding Trials →

The modelling and prediction of important agronomic traits using remotely sensed data is an evolving science and an attractive concept for plant breeders, as manual crop phenotyping is both expensive and time consuming. Major limiting factors in creating robust prediction models include the appropriate integration of data across different years and sites, and the availability of sufficient genetic and phenotypic diversity. Variable weather patterns, especially at higher latitudes, add to the complexity of this integration. This study introduces a novel approach by using photothermal time units to align spectral data from unmanned aerial system images of spring, winter, and facultative oat (Avena sativa) trials conducted over different years at a trial site at Aberystwyth, on the western Atlantic seaboard of the UK. The resulting regression and classification models for various agronomic traits are of significant interest to oat breeding programmes. The potential applications of these findings include optimising breeding strategies, improving crop yield predictions, and enhancing the efficiency of resource allocation in breeding programmes.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUASマルチスペクトル画像とフォトサーマル時間単位を統合し、オート育種試験の農業形質を予測する手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study introduces a novel approach by using photothermal time units to align spectral data from unmanned aerial system images

CitrusGAN: sparse-view X-ray CT reconstruction for citrus based on generative adversarial networks. →

3D phenotyping of the external and internal structures is important to breed new fruit species. As manual phenotyping is error-prone and time-consuming, developing high-throughput solutions with enhanced precision and low costs is necessary. This study presents CitrusGAN, a generative adversarial network-based method to reconstruct 3D citrus CT models from sparse-view X-ray images. The input X-rays are arranged in orthogonal pairs to provide additional information, and customized loss functions enable more effective learning of the mapping from 2D X-ray features to 3D CT volumes. Experimental results show that 6 views can generate high-quality citrus CT volumes, with a structural similarity index of 92.1 ​% and a peak signal-to-noise ratio of 26.374 ​dB compared with the real CT models. Moreover, the morphology of the generated model can be conveniently measured in the 3D space, facilitating the extraction of phenotypic traits including fruit length, width, height, volume, surface area, peel thickness, number of segments, and edible rate with high precision. As X-rays can be obtained using low-cost X-ray machines with high efficiency, the proposed method can be potentially developed into high-throughput equipment for fruit production lines or portable devices to realize in-field phenotyping.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods柑橘の疎視野X線から3D CTモデルを再構成し、形態形質を抽出する手法を開発・検証しており、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心である。

abstractThis study presents CitrusGAN, a generative adversarial network-based method to reconstruct 3D citrus CT models from sparse-view X-ray images.

Automated extraction of leaf mass per area from digitized herbarium specimens. →

The digitization of vast herbarium collections has made millions of plant specimen images freely available online, which can now be used to generate phenotypic datasets of unprecedented scope. Here, we assess the potential of computer vision tools to automate the extraction of predicted leaf mass per area (LMA pred ) from digitized herbarium specimens. We use an automated pipeline to extract leaf area and petiole width from 22 680 leaves, representing a phylogenetic informed sample of 1580 species of woody angiosperms. LMA pred is estimated using a proxy equation that models the scaling relationship between petiole width and leaf mass. We assess potential sources of error in LMA pred estimates and evaluate whether documented LMA-climate patterns are recovered using this dataset and phylogenetic comparative methods. Our LMA pred dataset responds mainly to temperature and solar radiation and presents a positive correlation with latitude. The proxy equation, not the automated pipeline, is responsible for most of the error in LMA pred estimates. Our pipeline underscores the power of combining herbarium digitization with new techniques for automated trait scoring. The increased size of datasets generated using this tool allows investigation of potential LMA-climate relationships with a geographically balanced sample while also utilizing comprehensive phylogenetic information.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsデジタル標本画像から葉面積・葉柄幅を自動抽出し、LMAを推定するコンピュータビジョン・パイプラインが中心であり、植物形質データセットの生成と誤差評価も行っている。

abstractHere, we assess the potential of computer vision tools to automate the extraction of predicted leaf mass per area (LMA pred ) from digitized herbarium specimens.

Generation of labeled leaf point clouds for plants trait estimation. →

Today, leaf trait estimation remains a labor-intensive process. The effort to obtain ground truth measurements limits how accurately this task can be performed automatically. Traditionally, plant scientists manually measure the traits of harvested leaves and associate them with sensor data, which is key for training machine learning approaches and to automate the processes. In this paper, we propose a neural network-based method to generate synthetic 3D point clouds of leaves with their associated traits to support approaches for phenotyping. We use real-world leaf point clouds to learn how to generate realistic leaves from a leaf skeleton, which is automatically extracted. We use the generated leaves to fine-tune different leaf trait estimation methods. We evaluate our generated data using different trait estimation methods and compare the results to using real-world data or other synthetic datasets from agricultural simulation software. Experiments show that our approach generates leaf point clouds with high similarity to real-world leaves. Tuning trait estimation methods on our generated data improves their performance in the estimation of real-world leaves' traits, making our data crucial for developing and testing data-driven trait estimation methods. Accurate trait estimation is key to understanding crop growth, productivity, and pest resistance, as leaf size directly influences photosynthesis, yield potential, and vulnerability to insects and fungal growth.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods葉の形質推定を支援するため、形質付き合成3D点群を生成するニューラルネットワーク手法とデータセットを開発・評価しており、フェノタイピング手法が中心である。

abstractwe propose a neural network-based method to generate synthetic 3D point clouds of leaves with their associated traits to support approaches for phenotyping.

MatchPlant: An Open-Source Pipeline for UAV-Based Single-Plant Detection and Data Extraction →

Accurate identification of individual plants from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images is essential for advancing high-throughput phenotyping and supporting data-driven decision-making in plant breeding. This study presents MatchPlant, a modular, graphical user interface-supported, open-source Python pipeline for UAV-based single-plant detection and geospatial trait extraction. MatchPlant enables end-to-end workflows by integrating UAV image processing, user-guided annotation, Convolutional Neural Network model training for object detection, forward projection of bounding boxes onto an orthomosaic, and shapefile generation for spatial phenotypic analysis. In an early-season maize case study, MatchPlant achieved reliable detection performance (validation AP: 89.6%, test AP: 85.9%) and effectively projected bounding boxes, covering 89.8% of manually annotated boxes with 87.5% of projections achieving an Intersection over Union (IoU) greater than 0.5. Trait values extracted from predicted bounding instances showed high agreement with manual annotations (r = 0.87-0.97, IoU >= 0.4). Detection outputs were reused across time points to extract plant height and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index with minimal additional annotation, facilitating efficient temporal phenotyping. By combining modular design, reproducibility, and geospatial precision, MatchPlant offers a scalable framework for UAV-based plant-level analysis with broad applicability in agricultural and environmental monitoring.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV画像から個体検出・地理空間的形質抽出を行うオープンソース基盤の開発と性能検証が中心であり、植物形質（草丈・NDVI）を抽出する再利用可能なワークフローを提供している。

abstractThis study presents MatchPlant, a modular, graphical user interface-supported, open-source Python pipeline for UAV-based single-plant detection and geospatial trait extraction.

Genome-wide association study reveals influence of cell-specific gene networks on Soybean root system architecture →

Abstract Root system architecture (RSA), the three-dimensional arrangement of roots in soil, is a critical determinant of plant productivity, resource use efficiency, and resilience to environmental stress. Despite its agronomic importance, RSA remains a largely untapped breeding target due to historical technical barriers in root phenotyping. We present RADICYL (Root Architecture 3D Cylinder), a scalable, non-invasive, gel-based platform enabling high-throughput, high-resolution quantification of 15 RSA traits in intact root systems. Applying RADICYL to a genetically diverse panel of 371 soybean accessions, we combined 3D phenotyping with genome-wide association studies (GWAS), single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), and gene co-expression network (GCN) analysis to identify RCE1 and NPR3 as central regulators of RSA, suggesting auxin and salicylic acid-mediated signaling impacts RSA in specific root tissues. Functional validation in Arabidopsis mutants revealed conserved effects on root width and lateral root development. Our findings position the endodermis and metaphloem as key regulatory cell types and demonstrate how multi-omic frameworks can accelerate the discovery of functional genes underlying complex traits. This study establishes a foundation for cell-type-targeted genome editing and climate-smart crop engineering, offering actionable genetic targets to optimize root systems for improved nutrient acquisition, drought resilience, and deep carbon sequestration. By bridging genotype, cellular context, and phenotype, this work redefines RSA as a tractable and transformative trait for the future of crop improvement.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsRADICYLという根系構造を定量化する高スループット3Dフェノタイピング基盤の開発・適用が研究の中心であり、15形質を測定している。

abstractWe present RADICYL (Root Architecture 3D Cylinder), a scalable, non-invasive, gel-based platform enabling high-throughput, high-resolution quantification of 15 RSA traits in intact root systems.

OpenPheno: an open-access, user-friendly, and smartphone-based software platform for instant plant phenotyping. →

BACKGROUND: Plant phenotyping has become increasingly important for advancing plant science, agriculture, and biotechnology. Classic manual methods are labor-intensive and time-consuming, while existing computational tools often require advanced coding skills, high-performance hardware, or PC-based environments, making them inaccessible to non-experts, to resource-constrained users, and to field technicians. RESULTS: To respond to these challenges, we introduce OpenPheno, an open-access, user-friendly, and smartphone-based platform encapsulated within a WeChat Mini-Program for instant plant phenotyping. The platform is designed for ease of use, enabling users to phenotype plant traits quickly and efficiently with only a smartphone at hand. We currently instantiate the use of the platform with tools such as SeedPheno, WheatHeadPheno, LeafAnglePheno, SpikeletPheno, CanopyPheno, TomatoPheno, and CornPheno; each offering specific functionalities such as seed size and count analysis, wheat head detection, leaf angle measurement, spikelet counting, canopy structure analysis, and tomato fruit measurement. In particular, OpenPheno allows developers to contribute new algorithmic tools, further expanding its capabilities to continuously facilitate the plant phenotyping community. CONCLUSIONS: By leveraging cloud computing and a widely accessible interface, OpenPheno democratizes plant phenotyping, making advanced tools available to a broader audience, including plant scientists, breeders, and even amateurs. It can function as a role in AI-driven breeding by providing the necessary data for genotype-phenotype analysis, thereby accelerating breeding programs. Its integration with smartphones also positions OpenPheno as a powerful tool in the growing field of mobile-based agricultural technologies, paving the way for more efficient, scalable, and accessible agricultural research and breeding.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsスマートフォンで植物形質を取得・解析するソフトウェアプラットフォームの開発が中心であり、複数の具体的な表現型解析ツールを提供している。

abstractwe introduce OpenPheno, an open-access, user-friendly, and smartphone-based platform encapsulated within a WeChat Mini-Program for instant plant phenotyping.

Using fibre-optic sensing for non-invasive, continuous dendrometry of mature tree trunks. →

Dendrometry is the main non-invasive macroscopic technique commonly used in plant physiology and ecophysysiology studies. Over the years several types of dendrometric techniques have been developed, each with their respective strengths and drawbacks. Automatic and continuous monitoring solutions are being developed, but are still limited, particularly for non-invasive monitoring of large-diameter trunks. In this study, we propose a new type of automated dendrometer based on distributed fibre-optic sensing that continuously measures the change in stem circumference, is non-invasive and has no upper limit on the trunk diameter on which it can be installed. We performed a 3-month validation experiment during which we deployed a fibre-optic cable at three localities around the trunks of two specimens of Brachychiton. We verified the accuracy of this new method through comparison with a conventional point-dendrometer, and we observed a consistent time lag between the various measurement locations that varies with the meteorological conditions. Finally, we discuss the feasibility of the fibre-based dendrometer in the context of existing dendrometric techniques and practical experimental considerations.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物幹の周囲長変化を連続測定する新規ファイバー光学式デンドロメータを開発し、従来法との比較で精度を検証しており、植物表現型取得法が研究の中心です。

abstractwe propose a new type of automated dendrometer based on distributed fibre-optic sensing that continuously measures the change in stem circumference

FieldDino: Rapid In-Field Stomatal Anatomy and Physiology Phenotyping. →

ABSTRACT Stomatal anatomy and physiology define CO 2 availability for photosynthesis and regulate plant water use. Despite being key drivers of yield and dynamic responsiveness to abiotic stresses, conventional measurement techniques of stomatal traits are laborious and slow, limiting adoption in plant breeding. Advances in instrumentation and data analyses present an opportunity to screen stomatal traits at scales relevant to plant breeding. We present a high‐throughput robust field‐based phenotyping approach, FieldDino, for screening stomatal physiology and anatomy. The method allows measurements to be collected in p @0.5 of 97.1% for stomatal detection. When validated in large field trials of 200 wheat genotypes under two irrigation treatments, FieldDino captured wide diversity in stomatal traits. FieldDino enables stomatal data collection and analysis at unprecedented scales in the field. This will advance research on stomatal biology and accelerate the incorporation of stomatal traits into plant breeding programs for resilience to abiotic stress.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsFieldDinoは、圃場で気孔の生理・解剖形質を高スループットに取得するフェノタイピング手法として開発され、大規模圃場試験で検証されているため含める。

abstractWe present a high‐throughput robust field‐based phenotyping approach, FieldDino, for screening stomatal physiology and anatomy.

High-throughput iNaturalist image analysis reveals flower color divergence in Monarda fistulosa →

Characterizing patterns of trait variation across widespread species is a fundamental goal of natural history. Here we create a pipeline to analyze a large community science dataset and test hypothesized flower color divergence across the range of a widespread wildflower. Monarda fistulosa is a North American perennial that produces showy lavender inflorescences. Although previous literature suggests that the flowers of western M. fistulosa might display a deeper purple color than the eastern varieties, this divergence has not been assessed at scale. We process over 40,000 community science photographs of M. fistulosa to identify flowers and extract color. We demonstrate that the flowers of the montane western variety have lower lightness and higher chroma, corresponding to a deeper violet color, than those of eastern M. fistulosa . Our approach and validation provides a scalable framework for phenotyping community science images and enables analysis of geographic color variation in other widespread species.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods市民科学画像から花を同定し、花色を抽出・検証するスケーラブルな表現型解析パイプラインが研究の中心であり、植物器官の形質を直接推定している。

abstractWe process over 40,000 community science photographs of M. fistulosa to identify flowers and extract color.

Open RGB Imaging Workflow for Morphological and Morphometric Analysis of Fruits using AI: A Case Study on Almonds. →

Abstract High-throughput phenotyping is addressing the current bottleneck in phenotyping within breeding programs. Imaging tools are becoming the primary resource for improving the efficiency of phenotyping processes and providing large datasets for genomic selection approaches. The advent of AI brings new advantages by enhancing phenotyping methods using imaging, making them more accessible to breeding programs. In this context, we have developed an open Python workflow for analyzing morphology and heritable morphometric traits using AI, which can be applied to fruits and other plant organs. This workflow has been implemented in almond (Prunus dulcis ), a species where efficiency is critical due to its long breeding cycle. Over 25,000 kernels, more than 20,000 nuts, and over 600 individuals have been phenotyped, making this the largest morphological study conducted in almond. As result, new heritable morphometric traits of interest have been identified. These findings pave the way for more efficient breeding strategies, ultimately facilitating the development of improved cultivars with desirable traits.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsAIを用いたRGB画像から果実の形態・形状形質を抽出するオープンPythonワークフローを開発・適用しており、植物表現型取得法が研究の中心である。

abstractwe have developed an open Python workflow for analyzing morphology and heritable morphometric traits using AI, which can be applied to fruits and other plant organs.

GRANA: An AI-based tool for accelerating chloroplast grana nanomorphology analysis using hybrid intelligence. →

Grana are fundamental structural units of the intricate chloroplast membrane network. Investigating their nanomorphology is essential for understanding photosynthetic efficiency regulation. Here, we present GRANA (Graphical Recognition and Analysis of Nanostructural Assemblies), an artificial intelligence-enhanced, user-friendly software tool that recognizes grana on thylakoid network electron micrographs and generates a complex set of their structural parameters. GRANA employs 3 artificial neural networks of different architectures and binds them in a 1-click workflow. Its output is designed to facilitate hybrid intelligence analysis, securing fast and reliable results from large datasets. The GRANA tool is over 100 times faster compared with currently used manual approaches. As a proof of concept, we have successfully applied GRANA software to diverse grana structures across different land plant species grown under various conditions, demonstrating the wide range of potential applications for our software. GRANA tool supports large-scale analysis of grana nanomorphological features, facilitating advancements in photosynthesis-oriented studies.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods葉緑体グラナの電子顕微鏡画像から構造パラメータを自動抽出するソフトウェアの開発であり、植物形態形質の取得・解析法が中心。

abstractan artificial intelligence-enhanced, user-friendly software tool that recognizes grana on thylakoid network electron micrographs and generates a complex set of their structural parameters.

Phenotypic dynamics and temporal heritability of tomato architectural traits using an unmanned ground vehicle-based plant phenotyping system →

Large-scale manual measurements of plant architectural traits in tomato growth are laborious and subjective, hindering deeper understanding of temporal variations in gene expression heterogeneity. This study develops a high-throughput approach for characterizing tomato architectural traits at different growth stages and mapping temporal broad-sense heritability using an unmanned ground vehicle-based plant phenotyping system. The SegFormer with fusion of multispectral and depth imaging modalities was employed to semantically segment plant organs from the registered RGB-D and multispectral images. Organ point clouds were then generated and clustered into instances. Finally, six key architectural traits, including fruit spacing (FS), inflorescence height (IH), stem thickness (ST), leaf spacing (LS), total leaf area (TLA), and leaf inclination angle (LIA) were extracted and the temporal broad-sense heritability folds were plotted. The root mean square errors (RMSEs) of the estimated FS, IH, ST, and LS were 0.014, 0.043, 0.003, and 0.015 m, respectively. The visualizations of the estimated TLA and LIA matched the actual growth trends. The broad-sense heritability of the extracted traits exhibited different trends across the growth stages: (i) ST, IH, and FS had a gradually increased broad-sense heritability over time, (ii) LS and LIA had a decreasing trend, and (iii) TLA showed fluctuations (i.e. an M-shaped pattern) of the broad-sense heritability throughout the growth period. The developed system and analytical approach are promising tools for accurate and rapid characterization of spatiotemporal changes of tomato plant architecture in controlled environments, laying the foundation for efficient crop breeding and precision production management in the future.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物形態形質を取得するUGV型マルチモーダル画像フェノタイピングシステムと解析手法の開発・定量評価が研究の中心であり、誤差検証も行っているため。

abstractThis study develops a high-throughput approach for characterizing tomato architectural traits at different growth stages and mapping temporal broad-sense heritability using an unmanned ground vehicle-based plant phenotyping system.

Seed-to-plant-tracking: automated phenotyping of seeds and corresponding plants of Arabidopsis →

Plants adapt seed traits in response to different environmental triggers, supporting the survival of the next generation. To elucidate the mechanistic understanding of such adaptations it is important to characterize the distributions of seed traits by phenotyping seeds on an individual scale and to correlate these traits with corresponding plant properties. Here we introduce a seed-to-plant-tracking pipeline which enables automated handling and high precision phenotyping of Arabidopsis seeds as well as germination detection and early growth quantification of emerging plants. It includes previously published measurement platforms ( pheno Seeder, Growscreen), which were improved for very small seeds. We demonstrate the performance of the pipeline by comparing seeds from two consecutive generations of elevated temperature during flowering with control seeds. Relative standard deviation of repeated seed mass measurements was reduced to 0.2%. We identified an increase in seed mass, volume, length, width, height, and germination time as well as a darkening of the seeds under the treatment. A correlation analysis revealed relationships between seed and plant traits, e.g., a highly significant negative correlation between seed brightness and germination time, and a positive correlation between seed mass and early growth rate, but no correlation between time of emergence and morphometric seed traits (e.g., mass, volume). Thus, the seed-to-plant tracking provides the basis for investigating the mechanism of seed and plant trait variation and transgenerational inheritance.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods種子から植物までを追跡し、種子形質の高精度自動計測、発芽検出、初期成長定量を行うパイプラインを開発・改良しており、表現型取得法が研究の中心である。

abstractHere we introduce a seed-to-plant-tracking pipeline which enables automated handling and high precision phenotyping of Arabidopsis seeds as well as germination detection and early growth quantification of emerging plants.

Five seasons with DeepRootLab: A unique facility for easier deep root research in the field →

Summary Deep-rooted crops accessing water and nutrients from deep soil layers enhance the resource base for crop production. However, studying these roots in field conditions is labor-intensive, limiting research scope. We established a field root research facility with 48 plots for replicated experiments. The facility includes 144 six-meter-long minirhizotron tubes and an AI-based pipeline for rapid root trait analysis. We also attempted to install access-tubes and customized ingrowth-core production for less-invasive root activity determination. Our study revealed significant differences in deep root density among species, particularly at depths of 2.5 to 4.5 meters, over five years. The less invasive studies using ingrowth-cores reached depths of 4.2 meters. Nutrient tracer 15N analysis showed marked differences in deep root activity among crop species. TDR sensors indicated varying water depletion in deeper soil layers, influenced by crop species and root growth patterns. We established a field facility for studying deep root growth and function, demonstrating its effectiveness in analyzing diverse deep-rooted plant species. This facility provides an ideal platform for conducting meaningful research in deep soil layers, yielding statistically and biologically significant results for agricultural applications.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods深根の形質取得を目的とした圃場施設であり、ミニライゾトロン画像とAIパイプラインによる根形質解析が中心的に記述されているため、植物フェノタイピング基盤として収録する。

abstractThe facility includes 144 six-meter-long minirhizotron tubes and an AI-based pipeline for rapid root trait analysis.

MFCPopulus: A Point Cloud Completion Network Based on Multi-Feature Fusion for the 3D Reconstruction of Individual Populus Tomentosa in Planted Forests →

The accurate point cloud completion of individual tree crowns is critical for quantifying crown complexity and advancing precision forestry, yet it remains challenging in dense plantations due to canopy occlusion and LiDAR limitations. In this study, we extended the scope of conventional point cloud completion techniques to artificial planted forests by introducing a novel approach called Multi−feature Fusion Completion of Populus (MFCPopulus). Specifically designed for Populus Tomentosa plantations with uniform spacing, this method utilized a dataset of 1050 manually segmented trees with expert−validated trunk−canopy separation. Key innovations include the following: (1) a hierarchical adversarial framework that integrates multi−scale feature extraction (via Farthest Point Sampling at varying rates) and biologically informed normalization to address trunk−canopy density disparities; (2) a structural characteristics split−collocation (SCS−SCC) strategy that prioritizes crown reconstruction through adaptive sampling ratios, achieving a 94.5% canopy coverage in outputs; (3) a cross−layer feature integration enabling the simultaneous recovery of global contours and a fine−grained branch topology. Compared to state−of−the−art methods, MFCPopulus reduced the Chamfer distance variance by 23% and structural complexity discrepancies (ΔDb) by 33% (mean, 0.12), while preserving species−specific morphological patterns. Octree analysis demonstrated an 89−94% spatial alignment with ground truth across height ratios (HR = 1.25−5.0). Although initially developed for artificial planted forests, the framework generalizes well to diverse species, accurately reconstructing 3D crown structures for both broadleaf (Fagus sylvatica, Acer campestre) and coniferous species (Pinus sylvestris) across public datasets, providing a precise and generalizable solution for cross−species trees’ phenotypic studies.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods個体樹冠の3D点群補完・再構成手法を開発し、樹冠構造や形態形質の定量化に有効性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。

abstractThe accurate point cloud completion of individual tree crowns is critical for quantifying crown complexity

A 3D morpho-space of sepal geometry reveals the importance of organ curvature. →

How robust three-dimension (3D) organ shape emerges during morphogenesis is a fundamental question in biology. Addressing this question requires a comprehensive quantification of organ geometry in 3D. To tackle these issues, we considered the sepal of Arabidopsis as a model. Using a unique pipeline allowing to recover 3D sepal morphology, we analysed fifteen mutants affected in different pathways. The results of a Principal Component Analysis reveal sepal curvature as an important parameter accounting for variations in sepal morphology within genotypes. Unexpectedly, despite genetic homogeneity of the wild-type plants and reproducible culture conditions, we found a significant level of variability in sepal morphology. Our data also show that sepal shape from wild-type plants is more robust (less variable) than sepal size, hinting to a possible selective pressure on shape parameters.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3D萼片形態を復元・定量する独自パイプラインが研究の中心であり、器官形状・曲率という植物表現型を解析している。

abstractUsing a unique pipeline allowing to recover 3D sepal morphology, we analysed fifteen mutants affected in different pathways.

Expansion microscopy reveals thylakoid organisation alterations due to genetic mutations and far-red light acclimation. →

The thylakoid membrane is the site of the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis. It is a continuous membrane, folded into grana stacks and the interconnecting stroma lamellae. The CURVATURE THYLAKOID1 (CURT1) protein family is involved in the folding of the membrane into the grana stacks. The thylakoid membrane remodels its architecture in response to light conditions, but its 3D organisation and dynamics remain incompletely understood. To resolve these details, an imaging technique is needed that provides high-resolution 3D images in a high-throughput manner. Recently, we have used expansion microscopy, a technique that meets these criteria, to visualise the thylakoid membrane isolated from spinach. Here, we show that this protocol can also be used to visualise enveloped spinach chloroplasts. Additionally, we present an improved protocol for resolving the thylakoid structure of Arabidopsis thaliana. Using this protocol, we show the changes in thylakoid architecture in response to long-term far-red light acclimation and due to knocking out CURT1A. We show that far-red light acclimation results in higher grana stacks that are packed closer together. In addition, the distance between stroma lamellae, which are wrapped around the grana, decreases. In the curt1a mutant, grana have an increased diameter and height, and the distance between grana is increased. Interestingly, in this mutant, the stroma lamellae occasionally approach the grana stacks from the top. These observations show the potential of expansion microscopy to study the thylakoid membrane architecture.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods植物のチラコイド膜構造を高解像度3D画像で取得する拡大顕微鏡法の改良・適用が中心であり、膜構造という植物形態形質を測定しているため。

abstractTo resolve these details, an imaging technique is needed that provides high-resolution 3D images in a high-throughput manner.

Phenotyping, genome-wide dissection, and prediction of maize root architecture for temperate adaptability. →

Abstract Root System Architecture (RSA) plays an essential role in influencing maize yield by enhancing anchorage and nutrient uptake. Analyzing maize RSA dynamics holds potential for ideotype‐based breeding and prediction, given the limited understanding of the genetic basis of RSA in maize. Here, we obtained 16 root morphology‐related traits (R‐traits), 7 weight‐related traits (W‐traits), and 108 slice‐related microphenotypic traits (S‐traits) from the meristem, elongation, and mature zones by cross‐sectioning primary, crown, and lateral roots from 316 maize lines. Significant differences were observed in some root traits between tropical/subtropical and temperate lines, such as primary and total root diameters, root lengths, and root area. Additionally, root anatomy data were integrated with genome‐wide association study (GWAS) to elucidate the genetic architecture of complex root traits. GWAS identified 809 genes associated with R‐traits, 261 genes linked to W‐traits, and 2577 key genes related to 108 slice‐related traits. We confirm the function of a candidate gene, fucosyltransferase5 ( FUT5 ), in regulating root development and heat tolerance in maize. The different FUT5 haplotypes found in tropical/subtropical and temperate lines are associated with primary root features and hold promising applications in molecular breeding. Furthermore, we performed machine learning prediction models of RSA using root slice traits, achieving high prediction accuracy. Collectively, our study offers a valuable tool for dissecting the genetic architecture of RSA, along with resources and predictive models beneficial for molecular design breeding and genetic enhancement.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsトウモロコシ根系形態を大規模に取得し、根スライス形質に基づく機械学習予測モデルと再利用可能な資源を構築しており、表現型取得・推定が研究の主要部分です。

abstractwe obtained 16 root morphology‐related traits (R‐traits), 7 weight‐related traits (W‐traits), and 108 slice‐related microphenotypic traits (S‐traits)

Photogrammetry to Assess the Recovery of a Forest: Case Study of Guadalupe Island →

This study employs photogrammetry to evaluate and monitor the recovery of the cypress forest on Guadalupe Island, Mexico, an ecosystem significantly impacted by fires and overgrazing. Two drone surveys were conducted over the forest area during the summers of 2016 and 2019 using natural color (RGB) and near-infrared (NIR) cameras. This work presents the first complete 3D reconstruction of the cypress forest on the island. The image processing products include the canopy height model (CHM), digital surface model (DSM), and digital terrain model (DTM), which were utilized to calculate the number, density, height and crown projected areas of trees. The CHM showed a high correlation with the forest's structure (R = 0.92), based on field measurements of tree heights. Our study accounted for approximately 67,340 trees taller than two meters in 2019. Over 90% of the cypress population consisted of young trees between 2 and 3 meters tall, which have recovered significantly following a fire in 2008 that burned 70% of its extent. A horizontal expansion of 134 hectares was observed from 2016 to 2019 in the regeneration process.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsドローン画像のフォトグラメトリによる3D再構成を用いて樹木の高さ・密度・樹冠面積を推定し、現地測定との相関で検証しているため、植物形質の取得手法が中心です。

abstractThis study employs photogrammetry to evaluate and monitor the recovery of the cypress forest on Guadalupe Island, Mexico

RPT: An integrated root phenotyping toolbox for segmenting and quantifying root system architecture. →

Summary The dissection of genetic architecture for rice root system is largely dependent on phenotyping techniques, and high‐throughput root phenotyping poses a great challenge. In this study, we established a cost‐effective root phenotyping platform capable of analysing 1680 root samples within 2 h. To efficiently process a large number of root images, we developed the root phenotyping toolbox (RPT) with an enhanced SegFormer algorithm and used it for root segmentation and root phenotypic traits. Based on this root phenotyping platform and RPT, we screened 18 candidate (quantitative trait loci) QTL regions from 219 rice recombinant inbred lines under drought stress and validated the drought‐resistant functions of gene OsIAA8 identified from these QTL regions. This study confirmed that RPT exhibited a great application potential for processing images with various sources and for mining stress‐resistance genes of rice cultivars. Our developed root phenotyping platform and RPT software significantly improved high‐throughput root phenotyping efficiency, allowing for large‐scale root trait analysis, which will promote the genetic architecture improvement of drought‐resistant cultivars and crop breeding research in the future.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods根系画像のセグメンテーションと形質定量を行う高スループット基盤およびRPTソフトウェアの開発が研究の中心であり、植物フェノタイピング手法に該当する。

abstractwe developed the root phenotyping toolbox (RPT) with an enhanced SegFormer algorithm and used it for root segmentation and root phenotypic traits.

3D reconstruction enables high-throughput phenotyping and quantitative genetic analysis of phyllotaxy →

Differences in canopy architecture play a role in determining both the light and water use efficiency. Canopy architecture is determined by several component traits, including leaf length, width, number, angle, and phyllotaxy. Phyllotaxy may be among the most difficult of the leaf canopy traits to measure accurately across large numbers of individual plants. As a result, in simulations of the leaf canopies of grain crops such as maize and sorghum, this trait is frequently approximated as alternating 180° angles between sequential leaves. We explore the feasibility of extracting direct measurements of the phyllotaxy of sequential leaves from 3D reconstructions of individual sorghum plants generated from 2D calibrated images and test the assumption of consistently alternating phyllotaxy across a diverse set of sorghum genotypes. Using a voxel-carving-based approach, we generate 3D reconstructions from multiple calibrated 2D images of 366 sorghum plants representing 236 sorghum genotypes from the sorghum association panel. The correlation between automated and manual measurements of phyllotaxy is only modestly lower than the correlation between manual measurements of phyllotaxy generated by two different individuals. Automated phyllotaxy measurements exhibited a repeatability of R 2 ​= ​0.41 across imaging timepoints separated by a period of two days. A resampling based genome wide association study (GWAS) identified several putative genetic associations with lower-canopy phyllotaxy in sorghum. This study demonstrates the potential of 3D reconstruction to enable both quantitative genetic investigation and breeding for phyllotaxy in sorghum and other grain crops with similar plant architectures.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods3D再構成とボクセル・カービングにより、ソルガムの葉序を自動抽出・定量し、手動測定との比較と再現性評価まで行っており、植物表現型取得法が研究の中心である。

abstractWe explore the feasibility of extracting direct measurements of the phyllotaxy of sequential leaves from 3D reconstructions of individual sorghum plants generated from 2D calibrated images

Combining UAV multisensor field phenotyping and genome-wide association studies to reveal the genetic basis of plant height in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) →

Plant height (PH) is a key agronomic trait influencing plant architecture. Suitable PH values for cotton are important for lodging resistance, high planting density, and mechanized harvesting, making it crucial to elucidate the mechanisms of the genetic regulation of PH. However, traditional field PH phenotyping largely relies on manual measurements, limiting its large-scale application. In this study, a high-throughput phenotyping platform based on UAV-mounted RGB and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) was developed to efficiently and accurately obtain time series PHs of 419 cotton accessions in the field. Different strategies were used to extract PH values from two sets of sensor data, and the extracted values were used to train using linear regression and machine learning methods to obtain PH predictions. These predictions were consistent with manual measurements of the PH for the LiDAR (R 2 ​= ​0.934) and RGB (R 2 ​= ​0.914) data. The predicted PH values were used for GWAS analysis, and 34 ​PH-related genes, two of which have been demonstrated to regulate PH in cotton, namely, GhPH1 and GhUBP15 , were identified. We further identified significant differences in the expression of a new gene named GhPH_UAV1 in the stems of the G. hirsutum cultivar ZM24 harvested on the 15th, 35th, and 70th days after sowing compared with those from a dwarf mutant ( pag1 ), which presented shortened stem and internode phenotypes. The overexpression of GhPH_UAV1 significantly promoted cotton stem development, whereas its knockout by CRISPR-Cas9 dramatically inhibited stem growth, suggesting that GhPH_UAV1 plays a positive regulatory role in cotton PH. This field-scale high-throughput phenotype monitoring platform significantly improves the ability to obtain high-quality phenotypic data from large populations, which helps overcome the imbalance between massive genotypic data and the shortage of field phenotypic data and facilitates the integration of genotype and phenotype research for crop improvement.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methodsUAV搭載RGB・LiDARによる綿花草丈の高スループット取得・推定プラットフォームの開発と精度検証が研究の中心であり、GWASや遺伝子機能解析は応用部分です。

abstracta high-throughput phenotyping platform based on UAV-mounted RGB and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) was developed to efficiently and accurately obtain time series PHs of 419 cotton accessions in the field

Python algorithm package for automated Estimation of major legume root traits using two dimensional images. →

A simple Python algorithm was used to estimate the four major root traits: total root length (TRL), surface area (SA), average diameter (AD), and root volume (RV) of legumes (adzuki bean, mung bean, cowpea, and soybean) based on two-dimensional images. Four different thresholding methods; Otsu, Gaussian adaptive, mean adaptive and triangle threshold were used to know the effect of thresholding in root trait estimation and to optimize the accuracy of root trait estimation. The results generated by the algorithm applied to 400 legume root images were compared with those generated by two separate software (WinRHIZO and RhizoVision), and the algorithm was validated using ground truth data. Distance transform method was used for estimating SA, AD, and RV and ConnectedComponentsWithStat function for TRL estimation. Among the thresholding methods, Otsu thresholding worked well for distance transform, while triangle threshold was effective for TRL. All the traits showed a high correlation with an R² ≥0.98 (p < 0.001) with the ground truth data. The root mean square error (RMSE) and mean bias error (MBE) were also minimal when comparing the algorithm-derived values to the ground truth values, with RMSE and MBE both < 10 for TRL, < 6 for SA, and < 0.5 for AD and RV. This lower value of error metrics indicates smaller differences between the algorithm-derived values and software-derived values. Although the observed error metrics were minimal for both software, the algorithm-derived root traits were closely aligned with those derived from WinRHIZO. We provided a simple Python algorithm for easy estimation of legume root traits where the images can be analyzed without any incurring expenses, and being open source; it can be modified by an expert based on their requirements.

Why it matches plant phenotyping methods根の二次元画像から主要形質を抽出するPythonアルゴリズムを開発し、既存ソフトウェアおよびグラウンドトゥルースで検証しており、植物フェノタイピング手法が研究の中心です。

abstractA simple Python algorithm was used to estimate the four major root traits: total root length (TRL), surface area (SA), average diameter (AD), and root volume (RV) of legumes

Unlocking the potential of Airborne LiDAR for direct assessment of fuel bulk density and load distributions for wildfire hazard mapping →