Real-Time Tree-Foliage Surface Estimation Using a Ground Laser Scanner

<para xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> The optimization of most pesticide and fertilizer applications is based on overall grove conditions. In this paper, we propose a measurement system to estimate the foliage surface of a tree crop. The system is based on a ground laser scanner that estimates the volume of the trees and then extrapolates their leaf area using simple and fast algorithms to allow true real-time operation. Tests with pear trees demonstrated that the relation between the volume and the foliage can be interpreted as linear with a coefficient of correlation <formula formulatype="inline"> <tex>$(R)$</tex></formula> of 0.81, and the foliage surface can be estimated from this volume with an average error less than 6%. </para>