Investigation of the vine trunk anatomy through MRI imaging

Abstract

The assessment of vine trunk anatomy is identified as a promising analysis modality in precision viticulture. Wood diseases, sap flow or grafting quality can be assessed through imaging. In this paper we investigate the imaging of vine trunks using different MRI scanners ranging from high end pre-clinical 7T MRI down to low-cost benchtop MRI scanners. We first demonstrate imaging using a best-in-class setup in terms of performance. Subsequently, we employ a mid-field MRI system to illustrate the image quality achievable for vine imaging using a lower intensity magnetic field. Finally, we use a low-cost benchtop MRI equipped with a permanent magnet. This last configuration aims to showcase the potential of MRI technology while reducing costs and complexity to a level suitable for agricultural applications.