ISHS Acta Horticulturae 444: III International Symposium on Kiwifruit
A GEOMETRIC APPROACH TO KIWIFRUIT CANOPY MODELLING |
| Authors: | F. Succi, E. Magnanini, R. Quadretti, O. Miserocchi, G. Costa |
| Keywords: | Actinidia deliciosa, leaf area, leaf area index, tridimensional canopy modeling |
| Abstract:
A geometric method for the description of a T-bar trained kiwifruit (cv Hayward) canopy during seasonal vine development is reported. The vine is measured using three coordinates for each leaf sampled. Fifty points for coordinates x and y are randomly selected on the ground within a projected area and used as the initial step to determine the third dimension (z), represented by each contact-leaf height During the growing season, the three coordinates of all the intercepted leaves are recorded by passing a graduated measuring pole vertically through the canopy. This method provides reliable three-dimensional description of canopy shapes and a probable total leaf area (PLA) with a consequent estimate of leaf area index (LAI). The number of leaf contacts increases over the season with the progressive thickening of the canopy, as shown by the positive relationship between the number of leaves intercepted and the total leaf area. Leaf interception occurs within the vine, even early in the season, indicating a high foliar density within the canopy. The vine is marked by a symmetrical canopy growth habit that continued throughout the season. The estimated LAI values are closely related to those obtained by standard measurements, indicating the potential of the method. | |
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