Vineyard water status assessment using a new 3D-video-sensor-system

This study reports the preliminary results of a trial aimed at testing the effectiveness a novel system for plant water status assessment in vineyards. This new technology is based on a stereo-camera collecting 3D images of the canopy, with an integrated thermal IR sensor, that can be used in association to a traditional weather station equipped with climate and soil moisture sensors. Through advanced image analysis processes, the system allows to measure the volume and leaf area of the canopy, the mean leaf inclination and the canopy temperature. These parameters can be used as novel inputs, in combination with climate and soil moisture data, to estimate the water status of the plant. The system was tested in two commercial vineyards in the Veneto Region (north-eastern Italy) during summer 2021. In the experimental sites two treatments were imposed: irrigated (I) managed to keep vines well-watered throughout the growing season; non-irrigated (NI), managed to impose a progressive water stress. Canopy images and measurements, along with climate/soil data, were automatically collected by the system on the two treatments during the growing season. Physiological analysis (midday stem water potential) and manual measures of the canopy (leaf inclination, leaf temperature) were performed approximately every 8-10 days. Preliminary results showed that leaf inclination and temperature were related to the vine water status, with an increase in both parameters for increasing stress conditions. The good correlation between data recorded by the video-sensor-system and those collected manually demonstrated that the system is able to detect variations in leaf temperature and in leaf inclination associated to changes in the plant water status