Dr Sigfredo Fuentes and Dr Roberta De Bei
This project, financed by the Wine 2030 (The University of Adelaide), aims to produce an accurate and cheap imaging and analysis tool available to grape growers and researchers to assess automatically spatio-temporal canopy architecture parameters using smartphones and tablet computers with high-resolution cameras and GPS capabilities. Therefore, field measurements can be mapped using GIS techniques. These parameters allow monitoring canopy growth and porosity to assess vigour, water requirements and sunlight transmission to the fruit and renewal zone of the canopy, which are important parameters to obtain grape quality attributes. Mapping capabilities will allow the zoning of different parameters to assess spatial differences of the same. This project is based on early research findings from The Vineyard of the Future (VoF) initiative. All revenues from the app will be reinvested in VoF research projects. The app will be commercially available in late 2012. This app has the advantage that it can be applied not only for grapevines, but also for a range of other crops and trees, such as apple trees, olive trees, forests, etc. Full story at: http://wine2030.wordpress.com/2012/08/13/groundbreaking-wine-related-research-projects-at-the-university-of-adelaide/
Related publication: Fuentes, S., Palmer, A.R., Taylor, D., Zeppel, M., Whitley, R., Eamus, D. 2008. An automated procedure for estimating the leaf area index (LAI) of woodland ecosystems using digital imagery, Matlab® programming and its application to an examination of the relationship between remotely sensed and field measurements of LAI. Functional Plant Biology. 35:1-10.
A Beta agreement will be signed between the University of Adelaide and Wynns Coonawarra Estate to test the App. The same agreement will be made between UA and The University of Talca – Chile.
More developments of the LAI estimation method using cover photography and video can be seen in the YouTube video attached:
A meeting will be held this week (10th -14th Sept 2012) with The Adelaide Research and Innovation branch from The University of Adelaide to explore the strategies of commercialization and marketing for the AppCanopy.