Image-Based Plant Phenotyping

Abstract

A plant phenotype is defined as the quantifiable and observable morphological, physiological, and biochemical properties of a plant, resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment. Phenotypes can be measured either by considering the whole plant (holistic phenotypes), or its individual organs (component phenotypes). Phenotyping can also play an essential role in the understanding of critical plant physiological processes. Traits, especially complex ones, reflect the biological processes that govern growth, phenology, and productivity of plants. Due to the growing significance of phenotyping analysis and the need to develop long-term plans, a number of international, national, and regional plant phenotyping networks have been organized over the past decade. Low-throughput plant phenotyping has traditionally been performed manually, with the help of various sensors or instruments, e.g., leaf area meters, chlorophyll meters, infrared gas analyzers, etc. Image-based plant phenotyping research is still in its infancy, with vast opportunities for exploration.