Abstract
Sensors and Systems
Douglas Cook
Assistant Professor
Brigham Young University
Disclosure: Disclosure information not submitted.
From a structural analysis perspective, stalk lodging is dependent upon stalk morphology and the mechanical tissue properties. Prior research has revealed that three morphological features are capable of predicting approximately 80% of the variation in stalk strength. These morphological features are major diameter, minor diameter, and rind thickness. This poster describes the development of a new device for rapidly assessing these parameters. This device could be used in the future for phenotyping efforts aimed at uncovering the genetic architecture of stalk morphology.
The device consists of a stalk gripping mechanism, a motorized blade, a camera, and a semi-automated computer program for analyzing the resulting image. The gripping mechanism holds the stalk in place while the blade slices the stalk in a transverse manner. The camera then slides into place directly above the transverse cross-section and captures a photograph of the cross-section. A computer program is used to analyze the digital image. The analysis produces measurements of the major diameter, minor diameter, and rind thickness. This poster will illustrate this process and facilitate discussion between the developing engineers and plant scientists that may have use of this technology.