scholarly journals Comparison of Four Methods for Estimating Total Light Interception by Apple Trees of Varying Forms

HortScience ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 272-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens N. Wünsche ◽  
Alan N. Lakso ◽  
Terence L. Robinson

Four methods of estimating daily light interception (fisheye photography with image analysis, multiple-light sensors, ceptometer, and point grid) were compared using various apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) tree forms: slender spindle, Y- and T-trellises, and vertical palmette. Interactions of tree form, time of day, and atmospheric conditions with light interception estimates were examined. All methods were highly correlated to each other (r2 > 0.92) for estimated daily mean percent total light interception by the various tree forms, except that the point grid method values were slightly lower. Interactions were found among tree form, time of day, and diffuse/direct radiation balance on estimated light interception, suggesting that several readings over the day are needed under clear skies, especially in upright canopies. The similar results obtained by using the point grid method (counting shaded/exposed points on a grid under the canopy) on clear days may allow rapid, simple, and inexpensive estimates of orchard light interception.

1996 ◽  
Vol 121 (5) ◽  
pp. 886-893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens N. Wünsche ◽  
Alan N. Lakso ◽  
Terence L Robinson ◽  
Fritz Lenz ◽  
Steven S. Denning

Although apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) system yield differences are generally related to whole-canopy light interception, this study tested the hypothesis that these orchard yields are related primarily to total light intercepted by the spur canopy. Seasonal leaf area development of different shoot types, exposed bourse shoot leaf net photosynthesis, fruit growth, whole canopy light interception (by image analysis of fisheye photographs) and relative light interception by different shoot types (by a laser assisted canopy scanning device) were estimated within four 14-year-old `Empire' apple production systems (slender spindle/M.9, central leader/M.7, central leader/M.9/MM.111 and Y-trellis/M.26). The final LAI values were CL/M.7 = 1.8, CL/9/111 = 2.3, SS/M.9 = 2.6 and Y/M.26 = 3.6. Exposed leaf net photosynthesis showed few differences and was not dependent upon the production system. Yields of the pyramidal shaped tree forms were 40 to 42 t·ha-1 while Y-trellis produced 59 t·ha-1, with similar fruit sizes. Again, yields were primarily related to the percentage of light intercepted by the whole canopy, 48% to 53% for conic forms versus 62% for the Y-trellis system. Laser analyses showed that the Y-trellis system intercepted about 20% to 30% more light with the spur canopy than the conic tree forms, supporting the hypothesis. Yields were better correlated with spur canopy LAI and spur canopy light interception than with extension shoot canopy LAI and light interception.


HortScience ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 619e-619
Author(s):  
Jens-Norbert Wünsche ◽  
Alan N. Lakso ◽  
Steven S. Denning ◽  
Terence L. Robinson

A 14-year-old trial of `Empire' apple production systems (Slender Spindle/M9, Central Leaders on M7 and 9/111 interstems, and Y-trellis/M26) had shown significant yield differences that were primarily related to total light interception, but yield of fruit/MJ light interception, however, was still higher in the Y-trellis. The hypothesis tested was that in healthy orchards yields are related primarily tototal light intercepted by the spur canopy. In 1991 seasonal leaf area development, exposed leaf photosynthesis, fruit growth, total light interception (by image analysis of fisheye photos) and relative light interception by different shoot types (by a laser sunbeam simulator) were estimated. The results reflected the mature, spurry nature of these trees. The final LAI values were CL/7=1.8, CL/9/111=2.3, SS/9=2.6 and Y/26=3.6. Exposed leaf photosynthesis showed few differences. Yields of the pyramid forms were 40-42 t/ha while Y-trellis gave 59 t/ha, with similar fruit sizes. Again, yields were primarily related to % total light interception (48-53% for pyramid forms versus 62% for the Y). Laser analyses showed that the Y intercepted more light with the spur canopy than the pyramid forms, supporting the hypothesis. Yields were better correlated with spur canopy LAI and spur canopy light interception than with shoot canopy LAI and light interception.


1991 ◽  
Vol 116 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terence L. Robinson ◽  
Alan N. Lakso

Bases of orchard productivity were evaluated in four 10-year-old apple orchard systems (`Empire' and `Redchief Delicious' Malus domestics Borkh. on slender spindle/M.9, Y-trellis/M.26, central leader/M.9/MM.111, and central leader/M.7a). Trunk cross-sectional areas (TCA), canopy dimension and volume, and light interception were measured. Canopy dimension and canopy volume were found to be relatively poor estimators of orchard light interception or yield, especially for the restricted canopy of the Y-trellis. TCA was correlated to both percentage of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) intercepted and yields. Total light interception during the 7th to the 10th years showed the best correlation with yields of the different systems and explained most of the yield variations among systems. Average light interception was highest with the Y-trellis/M.26 system of both cultivars and approached 70% of available PAR with `Empire'. The higher light interception of this system was the result of canopy architecture that allowed the tree canopy to grow over the tractor alleys. The central leader/M.7a had the lowest light interception with both cultivars. The efficiency of converting light energy into fruit (conversion efficiency = fruit yield/light intercepted) was significantly higher for the Y-trellis/M.26 system than for the slender spindle/M.9 or central leader/M.9/MM.111 systems. The central leader/M.7a system bad the lowest conversion efficiency. An index of partitioning was calculated as the kilograms of fruit per square centimeter increase in TCA. The slender spindle/M.9 system had significantly higher partitioning index than the Y-trellis/M.26 or central leader/M.9/MM.111. The central leader/M.7a system had the lowest partitioning index. The higher conversion efficiency of the Y/M.26 system was not due to increased partitioning to the fruit; however, the basis for the greater efficiency is unknown. The poor conversion efficiency of the central leader/M.7a was mostly due to low partitioning to the fruit. The Y-trellis/M.26 system was found to be the most efficient in both intercepting PAR and converting that energy into fruit.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 176
Author(s):  
Huanxuan Chen ◽  
Xinxin Zhao ◽  
Yingchun Han ◽  
Fangfang Xing ◽  
Lu Feng ◽  
...  

Modification of the cotton canopy results in shade avoidance and competition for light, which shows that density and spatial arrangement of cotton have a great impact on light interception. This experiment was conducted in 2018 and 2019 in the experimental field at the Institute of Cotton Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science in Anyang city, Henan Province, China. Six plant densities of cotton variety SCRC28 were used to assess spatial competition for light in cotton populations during the whole growing period. Light interception data were collected and analyzed according to the spatial grid method and the extension of Simpson’s 3/8 rule. The results showed that at the bottom of the canopy, greater light interception was observed at high densities than at low densities, while in the external part of the layer of the canopy in the horizontal direction, low light interception was recorded at low densities. Leaf area, aboveground biomass and plant height were obviously correlated with light interception, and the cotton population with a higher density (8.7 plants m−2) performed best at the light interception competition, and with the highest yield. The results will provide guidance on light management through the optimization of the structure of the canopy to provide more solar radiation and a significant basis by which to improve the management of light and canopy architecture.


2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 1439-1482 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Y. F. Lai ◽  
N. T. Roulet ◽  
E. R. Humphreys ◽  
T. R. Moore ◽  
M. Dalva

Abstract. Accurate quantification of soil-atmosphere gas exchange is essential for understanding the magnitude and controls of greenhouse gas emissions. We used an automatic closed dynamic chamber system to measure the fluxes of CO2 and CH4 for several years at the ombrotrophic Mer Bleue peatland near Ottawa, Canada and found that atmospheric turbulence and chamber deployment period had a considerable influence on the observed flux rates. With a short deployment period of 2.5 min, CH4 flux exhibited strong diel patterns and both CH4 and nighttime CO2 effluxes were highly and negatively correlated with friction velocity as were the CO2 concentration gradients in the top 20 cm of peat. This suggests winds were flushing the very porous and relatively dry near surface peat layers, altering the concentration gradient and resulting in a 9 to 57% underestimate of CH4 flux at any time of day and a 13 to 21% underestimate of nighttime CO2 fluxes in highly turbulent conditions. Conversely, there was evidence of an overestimation of ~100% of CH4 and nighttime CO2 effluxes in calm atmospheric conditions possibly due to enhanced near-surface gas concentration gradient by mixing of chamber headspace air by fans. These problems were resolved by extending the deployment period to 30 min. After 13 min of chamber closure, the flux rate of CH4 and nighttime CO2 became constant and were not affected by turbulence thereafter, yielding a reliable estimate of the net biological fluxes. The measurement biases we observed likely exist to some extent in all chamber flux measurements made on porous and aerated substrate, such as peatlands, organic soils in tundra and forests, and snow-covered surfaces, but would be difficult to detect unless high frequency, semi-continuous observations are made.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (16) ◽  
pp. 2623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel König ◽  
Gerit Birnbaum ◽  
Natascha Oppelt

Hyperspectral remote-sensing instruments on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), aircraft and satellites offer new opportunities for sea ice observations. We present the first study using airborne hyperspectral imagery of Arctic sea ice and evaluate two atmospheric correction approaches (ATCOR-4 (Atmospheric and Topographic Correction version 4; v7.0.0) and empirical line calibration). We apply an existing, field data-based model to derive the depth of melt ponds, to airborne hyperspectral AisaEAGLE imagery and validate results with in situ measurements. ATCOR-4 results roughly match the shape of field spectra but overestimate reflectance resulting in high root-mean-square error (RMSE) (between 0.08 and 0.16). Noisy reflectance spectra may be attributed to the low flight altitude of 200 ft and Arctic atmospheric conditions. Empirical line calibration resulted in smooth, accurate spectra (RMSE < 0.05) that enabled the assessment of melt pond bathymetry. Measured and modeled pond bathymetry are highly correlated (r = 0.86) and accurate (RMSE = 4.04 cm), and the model explains a large portion of the variability (R2 = 0.74). We conclude that an accurate assessment of melt pond bathymetry using airborne hyperspectral data is possible subject to accurate atmospheric correction. Furthermore, we see the necessity to improve existing approaches with Arctic-specific atmospheric profiles and aerosol models and/or by using multiple reference targets on the ground.


Author(s):  
Rodger O. Anderson

The generation of electrical power is a complex matter that is dependent in part both on the anticipated demand and the actual amount of power required on the grid. Therefore, the amount of power being generated varies widely depending on the time of day, day of the week, and atmospheric conditions such as cold spells and heat waves. While the amount of power varies, it is recognized that maximum efficiencies are achieved by operating power generation systems at or near steady state conditions. With this in mind, there has been an increased use of gas turbine systems that may be quickly added online to the grid to provide additional power because gas turbine systems are typically well suited for being brought online quickly to provide spinning reserve or electrical generation. However, gas turbines are recognized as not being as efficient as other plant systems such as large steam plants because the gas turbine is an open cycle system where approximately 60 to 70 percent of the energy is lost as exhaust waste heat energy. One recognized method of increasing gas turbine efficiencies is to add a steam bottoming cycle to the exhaust system. However, these closed cycle systems are costly and they compromise the gas turbine’s quick starting capability. This paper discusses an open bottoming cycle that is simple, cost effective and well suited for peaking power generation service. It not only substantially improves the gas turbine simple cycle plant heat rate, but also provides the opportunity to greatly reduce the NOX emissions levels with the application of a low temperature SCR.


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