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Abstract
Canopy imaging is a useful tool in plant analysis. It is non-destructive, rapid, resistant tosampling bias, and can be affordably assembled with simple hardware. The process of
developing a customizable image analysis program is laid out and was verified by analyzing
three petunia (Solanaceae Petunia × hybridia) subjected cultivars to variable fertilizer rates.
After verification with images collected on a commercial imaging system, a customizable, lowcost imaging system was developed to run with the in-house analysis program and verified
against the three cultivars grown at various pH levels in a hydroponic system. The petunia
responses to stimuli were successfully quantified in both trials, with the system able to quantify
changes in the vegetation without significant differences in the pH trial. This process created and
verified a robust, do-it-yourself imaging system with analysis that could be customized to meet
research needs and budgets.