Optical system for plant characterization

• US 7,715,013 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2006
• Issued: 05/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The United States Environmental Protection Agency
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The United States Environmental Protection Agency
• Inventors: May, George, Glaser, John A., Copenhaver, Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Toatley, Jr.; Gregory J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Valentin; Juan D
• Application Number:
  US11/520,753
• Publication Number:
  US 20070065857A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,335 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 356/448
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/3155 Measuring in two spectral ranges, e.g. UV and visible
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/8466 Investigation of vegetal material, e.g. leaves, plants, fruits
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/314 with comparison of measurements at specific and non-specific wavelengths dual wavelength spectrometry G01J3/427
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/3563 for analysing solids; Preparation of samples therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/359 using near infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/4738 Diffuse reflection precedence is given to G01N21/55 - G01N21/57 if specular component is taken into consideration, e.g. also for testing fluids, fibrous materials
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/1296 using neural networks

Abstract

A system is provided to monitor targeted pest populations, disease, presence of transgenic and non-transgenic plants, or targeted pest population in a transgenic crop using remote imagery to discern differences in crops along with pest infestation in all crop varieties. The system relies on the fact that plant leaves are known to change color based on stress, herbivory, and other environmental factors. The system provides a special camera that can see reflected light energy across the visible and near infrared (about 400-1000 nm) to identify these effects.

Claims

1. A method of determining a characteristic of a plant said characteristic selected from the group consisting of growth stage disease state, infestation and effects from soil deficiencies or dehydration, comprising:

collecting reflected solar energy from a plant surface of unidentified genetic composition;

forming the collected solar energy into a multiband image, and;

analyzing the multiband image.

2. The method of claim 1, where analyzing the multiband image comprises at least one of comparing a first portion of the multiband image with a second portion of the multiband image, reducing at least a portion of the multiband image to a proportionate value referring to a comparison of datasets derived from at least one image and comparing the proportionate value to a reference value, and comparing at least a portion of the multiband image with a reference multiband image.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a characteristic of the plant of unidentified genetic composition comprises determining a physical characteristic of the plant of unidentified genetic composition, and a physical characteristic comprises at least one of transgenic, growth stage, fertility, and plant species.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a characteristic of the plant of unidentified genetic composition comprises determining a stressor of the plant of unidentified genetic composition, wherein the stressor includes at least one of a pest-infestation, disease, soil deficiency, level of hydration, and poisoning.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a plant of unidentified genetic composition comprises multiple plants of unidentified genetic composition.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a spectral range of the multiband image is about 400 nm to about 1000 nm.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein a spectral resolution of the multiband image is at least about 1 nm.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a spatial resolution of the multiband image is at least about 0.5 m.

9. A method of determining a characteristic of a plant wherein said characteristic is selected from the group consisting of genetic composition, growth state, disease state, infestation and effects from soil deficiencies or dehydration, comprising:

collecting reflected solar energy from a surface of a plant of unidentified genetic composition;

forming the collected solar energy into a multiband image, and;

analyzing the multiband image comprising at least one of comparing a first portion of the multiband image with a second portion of the multiband image, reducing at least a portion of the multiband image to a proportionate value referring to the comparison of datasets derived from one or more images, and comparing the proportionate value to a reference value, and comparing at least a portion of the multiband image with a reference multiband image.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein determining a characteristic of a plant of unidentified genetic composition comprises determining a physical characteristic of the plant of unidentified genetic composition, and a physical characteristic comprises at least one of transgenic, growth stage, fertility, and plant species.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein determining a characteristic of the plant of unidentified genetic composition comprises determining a stressor of the plant of unidentified genetic composition, wherein the stressor includes at least one of a pest-infestation, disease, soil deficiency, level of hydration, and poisoning.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein a plant of unidentified genetic composition comprises multiple plants of unidentified genetic composition.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein a spectral resolution of the multiband image is at least about 1 nm.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein a spatial resolution of the multiband image is at least about 0.5 m.

15. A method of determining whether a plant of unidentified genetic composition is a transgenic plant or a non-transgenic plant for plants of, comprising:

collecting reflected solar energy from a surface of a plant of unidentified genetic composition;

forming the collected solar energy into a multiband image, and;

analyzing the multiband image.

16. The method of claim 15, where analyzing the multiband image comprises at least one of comparing a first portion of the multiband image with a second portion of the multiband image, reducing at least a portion of the multiband image to a proportionate value referring to comparison of datasets derived from at least one image, and comparing the proportionate value to a reference value, and comparing at least a portion of the multiband image with a reference multiband image.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein a plant of unidentified genetic composition comprises multiple plants of unidentified genetic composition.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein a spectral range of the multiband image is about 400 nm to about 1000 nm.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein a spatial resolution of the multiband image is at least about 0.5 m.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein a spatial resolution of the multiband image is at least about 0.5 m.