Method for Measuring the Growth of Leaf Discs and a Device Suitable Therefor

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes a method and device for accurately measuring the growth of plant leaf disks using automated 3D imaging. By calibrating a camera system and taking multiple images under infrared light, the method creates a detailed 3D model of floating leaf disks and assesses their growth rate over time. The approach addresses previous shortcomings of 2D measurement, particularly when leaves float freely and fluid levels vary, by using stereo vision, image processing, and automated data analysis to obtain high-throughput, precise growth measurements.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Plant growth research in academic and industrial laboratories
• Screening plants' responses to different chemicals, such as fertilizers, herbicides, or growth regulators
• Breeding programs to analyze and select for desirable growth traits
• Phenotyping platforms for high-throughput plant studies
• Monitoring environmental stress effects on plant growth
• Studying metabolic effects on growth at the tissue level

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Provides high-precision, reliable measurement of leaf disk growth regardless of floating or uneven surfaces
• Enables high-throughput analysis (hundreds of samples at once), minimizing manual labor
• Accurately captures true growth rates even with shifting liquid levels, unlike traditional 2D imaging
• Reduces the need for large climate chambers due to the compact, automated system design
• Permits fully automated, extended operation runs, significantly reducing personnel requirements
• Supports standardized, reproducible growth measurements across many plant species
• Improves the analysis of chemical and environmental impacts on plant tissue growth

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for measuring the growth of leaf disks. The method is characterized by the following steps: a) calibrating the recording system; b) taking at least 2 images of a leaf disk; c) processing the image data: comprising i) segmenting the leaf disks by threshold value segmenting, ii) multiple morphological erosion steps, iii) edge cleaning in order to remove the edge of the storage vessel; d) 3D reconstruction comprising creating a disparity map using a stereo algorithm, calculating a 3D surface model based on the previously determined calibrating parameters from the disparity map; e) smoothing the previously obtained surface model; f) determining the growth rates from the time series of the surface contents. The apparatus comprises at least one camera, an illuminating unit, a displacement table in the X/Y plane for the camera and (infrared) lighting, storage vessels for leaf disks, and electronic evaluation and control units.