Cassava root crown phenotyping using three-dimension (3D) multi-view stereo reconstruction

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Phenotyping
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Traditional cassava root crown (CRC) phenotypic analysis is labor-intensive and limited.
• Existing methods lack the detail required for comprehensive genetic studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a low-cost, field-deployable platform for 3D CRC modeling.
• To enable high-throughput phenotypic analysis of cassava CRCs.
• To extract novel quantitative traits for cassava breeding.

Main Methods:

• Utilized close-range photogrammetry for 3D CRC model acquisition.
• Optimized image acquisition (minimum 25 images) and processing using Agisoft and Blender.
• Validated the platform on partial-inbred cassava populations.

Main Results:

• Generated high-quality 3D CRC models with consistent results.
• Extracted ten novel phenotypic traits, including 3D crown volume, surface area, and root length.
• Demonstrated the platform's reliability for genetic variance analysis.

Conclusions:

• The developed 3D photogrammetry platform offers a cost-effective and efficient solution for cassava CRC phenotyping.
• This technology provides valuable new parameters for understanding cassava genetics and improving breeding selection.
• Facilitates advanced phenotypic analysis in field conditions, even in remote areas.