Laser Scanning for Canopy Characterization in Hazelnut Trees: A Preliminary Approach to Define Growth Habitus Descriptor

Raffaella Brigante (), Laura Marconi, Simona Lucia Facchin, Franco Famiani, Marta Sánchez Piñero, Silvia Portarena, Rodrigo José De Vargas, Fabiola Villa, Chiara Traini, Alessandra Vinci, Fabio Radicioni and Daniela Farinelli ()
Additional contact information
Raffaella Brigante: Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, via Duranti 93, 06125 Perugia, Italy
Laura Marconi: Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, via Duranti 93, 06125 Perugia, Italy
Simona Lucia Facchin: Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, via Borgo Giugno 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy
Franco Famiani: Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, via Borgo Giugno 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy
Marta Sánchez Piñero: Departamento de Agronomía, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, University of Sevilla, Crta de Utrera Km 1, 41013 Seville, Spain
Silvia Portarena: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri (IRET), 05010 Porano, Italy
Rodrigo José De Vargas: Marechal Cândido Rondon Campus, Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE), Rua Pernambuco 1777, Marechal Cândido Rondon 85960000, PR, Brazil
Fabiola Villa: Marechal Cândido Rondon Campus, Western Paraná State University (UNIOESTE), Rua Pernambuco 1777, Marechal Cândido Rondon 85960000, PR, Brazil
Chiara Traini: Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, via Borgo Giugno 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy
Alessandra Vinci: Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, via Borgo Giugno 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy
Fabio Radicioni: Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, via Duranti 93, 06125 Perugia, Italy
Daniela Farinelli: Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, via Borgo Giugno 74, 06121 Perugia, Italy

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 12, 1-28

Abstract: The accurate definition of tree growth descriptors is a crucial step in enhancing orchard management, allowing cultivar identification within an orchard and in new genotype selection for breeding programs. In apple, almond, and olive orchards, Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) technologies have been already used to identify different architectural groups, but not in hazelnut yet. This study utilized TLS to investigate the canopy structure of hazelnut trees of four different Italian varieties, with and without leaves. TLS proved to be a sensor capable of collecting three-dimensional data from hazelnut field trials and allowed the definition and selection of hazelnut plant descriptors by morphological traits and morphological indexes. Nineteen descriptors, eight morphologic traits and 11 morphological indexes have been identified as reliable suitable descriptors of hazelnut cultivar and in breeding evaluations, according to Biodiversity, FAO and CIHEAM. Many of the selected descriptors are related to the tree habit, vigour and branching density. Two useful indexes have also been defined: Canopy Uprightness (CU) Index and the Index of Canopy Opening (ICO). The descriptors allowed us to distinguish the four studied hazelnut cultivars based on their growth habit; in particular the cultivar Tonda Gentile delle Langhe showed a growth habit that is a lot different from that of the other ones.

Keywords: TLS; geometrical features; canopy shape; VPI; branch angle; tree meshing; Tonda Francescana; Tonda Romana; Tonda di Giffoni; branching density (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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