Nondestructive and Rapid Estimation of Chlorophyll Content in Rye Leaf Using Digital Camera

We have developed and tested a new method for nondestructive estimation of chlorophyll- and nitrogen-contents in rye leaf. It was found that the relation-ships among nitrogen, chlorophyll content and fresh weight were significantly positive correlated. Nitrogen and chlorophyll content were positively correlated whereas correlation coefficients among R, G, R-B and G-B on the basis of photo-numerical values were negative. We have found that R/(R-B) obtained from data of digital camera is the best criterion to estimate the chlorophyll content of leaves. The regression curves of the relation between R/(R-B) and chlorophyll content were also calculated from the data collected on cloudy days. The coefficients of determination ($\textrm{r}^2$) were ranged from 0.33 to 0.99. In this study, the accuracy in estimating chlorophyll content from the color data of digital camera image could be improved by correcting with R, G, and B values. It is suggested that, for practical purposes, the image values estimated with sufficient accuracy using a portable digital camera can be applied for determining chlorophyll content and nitrogen status in plant leaves.