Assessment of Harumanis mango vegetative shoot growth using digital image

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) shoot growth at the initial stage (vegetative stage), play an important role in crop management program for canopy control. If not been assessed the vegetative shoot growth, the dense branches would allocate more nutrients, the over translocation of nutrient will inhibit the growth of other branches. Digital imaging technology had become a new path in crop analysis with speedy and affordable. In the present research, the Harumanis mango (MA 128) shoot was pruned. The images of leaf measured in the dark green color index (DGCI) and whorl length (WL) of newly emergence lateral branches were the parameters used to assess the vegetative shoot growth. Visual imaging system, image processing, and image analysis algorithm were combined with the aid of MatLab® (MathWorks Inc.) software. The preliminary results of the research revealed a highly coherent (r2 = 0.94) among the DGCI variations and WL. The curves were established for both parameters against the days after bud burst for vegetative shoot growth rate assessment. Furthermore, it was determined that there was a significant difference between the DGCI with the leaf nitrogen content. This nondestructive image analysis techniques could be an alternative in leaf nitrogen diagnosing. Developing such indirect operation of assessment give rise the ultimate merit for Harumanis mango crop growers in optimum quality fruit production. Despite allowing the pruning program to be done more effectively, the early intervention on malnutrition prevention likewise can be carried out during the process of vegetative shoot assessment.