A research on the usage of image processing methods on plant growing in greenhouses

Machine vision and image processing techniques are being used extensively in various industries with the aim of observation and measuring. In agriculture, these techniques are fairly new. Cheap but effective image capture and analysis systems in PC's opened new fields in agricultural applications and researches. Leaf area index is a significant factor in the observation of plant growth. Many of the methods used in determining the leaf area give harm to the leaf However, this method does not give any harm either to the plant or to the leaf In this study, citrus seedlings grown in the greenhouses were used. Citrus seedlings grown in the greenhouses were enlightened by artificial light. Plant leaf images were recorded weekly using a camera recorder and leaf areas were calculated by applying various image processing methods on this views. As a result of measurements that do not give harm to the plant, leaf area could be determined and it was shown that image processing methods could be used for this purpose. Key Words: Image processing, plant monitoring, leaf area II