Photosynthetica 2016, 54(4):559-566 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-016-0214-x

A novel method for the estimation of soybean chlorophyll content using a smartphone and image analysis

J. P. G. Rigon1,*, S. Capuani2, D. M. Fernandes2, T. M. Guimarães1
1 Department of Crop Science, Lageado Experimental Farm, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), College of Agricultural Science, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
2 Department of Soil and Environmental Resources, Lageado Experimental Farm, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), College of Agricultural Science, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil

The development of smartphones, specifically their cameras, and imaging technologies has enabled their use as sensors/measurement tools. Here we aimed to evaluate the applicability of a fast and noninvasive method for the estimation of total chlorophyll (Chl), Chl a, Chl b, and carotenoids (Car) content of soybean plants using a smartphone camera. Single leaf disc images were obtained using a smartphone camera. Subsequently, for the same leaf discs, a Chl meter was used to obtain the relative index of Chl and the photosynthetic pigments were then determined using a classic method. The RGB, HSB and CIELab color models were extracted from the smartphone images and correlated to Chl values obtained using a Chl meter and by a standard laboratory protocol. The smartphone camera was sensitive enough to capture successfully a broad range of Chl and Car contents seen in soybean leaves. Although there was a variation between color models, some of the proposed regressions (e.g., the S and b index from HSB and Lab color models and NRI [RGB model]) were very close to the Chl meter values. Based on our findings, smartphones can be used for rapid and accurate estimation of soybean and Car contents in soybean leaves.

Keywords: camera; color model; mathematical models; nondestructive; photosynthetic pigments; portable equipment

Received: October 25, 2015; Accepted: January 26, 2016; Published: December 1, 2016Show citation

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Rigon, J.P.G., Capuani, S., Fernandes, D.M., & Guimarães, T.M. (2016). A novel method for the estimation of soybean chlorophyll content using a smartphone and image analysis. Photosynthetica, 54(4), 559-566. doi: 10.1007/s11099-016-0214-x.
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