Modeling leaf color dynamics of winter wheat in relation to growth stages and nitrogen rates

Abstract

The objective of this work was to develop a model for simulating the leaf color dynamics of winter wheat in relation to crop growth stages and leaf positions under different nitrogen (N) rates. RGB (red, green and blue) data of each main stem leaf were collected throughout two crop growing seasons for two winter wheat cultivars under different N rates. A color model for simulating the leaf color dynamics of winter wheat was developed using the collected RGB values. The results indicated that leaf color changes went through three distinct stages, including early development stage (ES), early maturity stage (MS) and early senescence stage (SS), with respective color characteristics of light green, dark green and yellow for the three stages. In the ES stage, the R and G colors gradually decreased from their initial values to steady values, but the B value generally remained unchanged. RGB values remained steady in the MS, but all three gradually increased to steady values in the SS. Different linear functions were used to simulate the dynamics of RGB values in time and space. A cultivar parameter of leaf color matrix (MRGB) and a nitrogen impact factor (FN) were added to the color model to quantify their respective effects. The model was validated with an independent experimental dataset. RMSEs (root mean square errors) between the observed and simulated RGB values ranged between 7.0 and 10.0, and relative RMSEs (RRMSEs) ranged between 7 and 9%. In addition, the model was used to render wheat leaves in three-dimensional space (3D). The 3D visualizations of leaves were in good agreement with the observed leaf color dynamics in winter wheat. The developed color model could provide a solid foundation for simulating dynamic crop growth and development in space and time.