干旱胁迫下雷竹叶片叶绿素的高光谱响应特征及含量估算

植物叶片的反射光谱特征与叶绿素含量密切相关。以重要的笋用竹种雷竹(Phyllostachys violascens)为研究对象,采用盆栽及控水试验方法研究了2年生雷竹在干旱胁迫条件下冠层叶片反射光谱的响应特征,分析了叶片叶绿素含量与不同波段光谱反射率一阶微分值以及光谱特征参数之间的相关关系,并以雷竹叶绿素含量敏感波段及构建的植被指数与叶绿素含量进行了拟合。结果表明,重度缺水处理后雷竹叶片叶绿素含量显著降低,在可见光区叶片光谱反射率随叶绿素含量的降低而增加,以波长493、639、693、756 nm等处的光谱反射率一阶微分值与叶绿素含量的相关性较高。雷竹叶片叶绿素含量与光谱特征参数如绿峰反射率、红谷反射率、蓝边面积、绿峰面积之间的相关性较高。与已有的植被指数相比基于雷竹叶绿素含量敏感波段修正后的植被指数与叶绿素含量相关性优于原植被指数。基于反射率一阶微分值构建的多元回归方程以及修正的绿色归一化植被指数(m GNDVI)构建的回归方程拟合效果较好,为雷竹叶绿素含量的较优估算方程。研究结果可以为雷竹叶绿素含量的快速无损测定以及季节性干旱条件下雷竹林的科学经营及灾后评估提供依据。     

基于光谱指数的喀斯特植物叶片叶绿素含量定量估算

为了探讨适合于喀斯特植物叶片叶绿素含量估算的光谱指数,在总结以往基于光谱指数的植物生化参数估算研究基础上发现,常用光谱指数通常采用差值、比值、归一化以及倒数差值方式来构建。因此,我们通过上述4种光谱指数构建方式对所采集的4种典型喀斯特植物——黄荆(Vitex negundo)、盐麸木(Rhus chinensis)、朴树(Celtis sinensis)和红背山麻杆(Alchornea trewioides)叶片原始光谱反射率及其一阶导数值与同步测定的叶片叶绿素含量进行遍历分析,以期获得最优光谱指数并将其应用于喀斯特植物叶片叶绿素含量定量估算研究。结果表明：(1)常用光谱指数中,改良红边归一化指数(modified red-edge normalized difference vegetation index, mND705)对喀斯特植物叶片叶绿素含量估算效果较好(决定系数为0.45,均方根误差为0.26 mg·g^-1)。(2)虽然荧光比值(fluorescence ratio index, FRI1)和叶绿素吸收面积光谱指数(chlorophyll absorp...     

A comparison of spectral reflectance indices in response to water: A case study of Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata

Aims Using leaf spectral reflectance to detect plant status in real time and non-destructively is a new method of forest drought assessment, but each spectral index possesses considerable moisture sensitivity. Therefore, determining moisture index applicable to tree leaf and its sensitive spectral index are both very important. Methods This study selected Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata leaves in different growth stages and canopy positions as the research object, and measured leaf moisture index and its synchronous reflectance spectral response curve during the dehydration process, explored the relationship between changes of leaf spectral reflectance and water status, compared and evaluated the advantages and disadvantages of correlation between the moisture indices of leaves in different growth stages and space positions and different spectral reflectance indices. Important findings Results indicated: (1) The variability of relative water content (RWC) and equivalent water thickness (EWT) in different growth stages and canopy positions was smaller than specific leaf water content (SWC) and leaf moisture percentage on fresh quality (LMP) as measured by the four different moisture indices. RWC and EWT could steadily characterize the holistic water status of trees, and they had greater spectral sensitivity. Therefore, they were suitable for application in remote sensing detection. (2) Spectral reflectance difference analysis and spectral reflectance sensitivity analysis showed that the leaf spectral sensitivity is strongly influenced by growth stage. In short wave infrared region, spectral reflectance of mature leaves changed slightly in the initial stage of dehydration stress, but new expended leaves showed obvious spectral differences during the dehydration process. (3) Through the correlation analysis between 15 different spectral indices and moisture indices, we found that water index (WI)-RWC and double difference index (DD_{n (1530,525)})-EWT has higher correlation. The fitted relations of WI-RWC are greatly influenced by leaf growth stage and canopy position, while those of DD_n(1530,525)- EWT are more stable.     

利用高光谱参数反演水稻叶片类胡萝卜素含量

为了探讨快速、准确预测水稻(Oryza sativa)叶片类胡萝卜素(Car)含量的敏感光谱波段和光谱指数, 通过实施涉及不同年份、不同生态点、不同施氮水平和不同品种类型的4个田间试验, 于主要生育期同步测定了水稻顶部4张叶片的光谱反射率及Car含量, 系统分析了350-2 500 nm范围内任意两波段组合而成的比值(SR (λ1, λ2))、归一化(ND (λ1, λ2))及已报道的对Car敏感的光谱指数与水稻叶片Car含量间的定量关系。结果表明, 不同Car含量水平下水稻叶片光谱反射率存在着明显变化, 以绿光及红边波段对水稻叶片Car含量变化最为敏感。723 nm附近的波段与近红外波段的比值组合以及713 nm附近的波段与近红外波段的归一化组合可以较好地预测水稻叶片Car含量, 以SR (723, 770)和ND (770, 713)表现最好, 线性拟合R²分别达到0.897和0.898。基于独立的试验资料的检验表明, 预测值和实测值的拟合R²分别为0.856和0.858, 均方根差RMSE均为0.072, 平均相对误差RE分别为11.9%和12.0%, 表明SR (723,770)和ND (770, 713)可有效地估算水稻上部叶片的Car含量。     

Nondestructive determination of leaf chlorophyll content in two flowering cherries using reflectance and absorptance spectra

Leaf chlorophyll quantification is a key technique in tree vigor assessment. Although many studies have been conducted on nondestructive and in-field spectroscopic determination, it is reasonable to develop species-specific chlorophyll indices for accurate determination, because leaf spectra can vary independently of chlorophyll content due to leaf surface and structural differences among species. The present study aimed to develop optimal reflectance and absorptance indices for estimating the leaf chlorophyll content of Cerasus jamasakura (Siebold ex Koidz.) H. Ohba var. jamasakura and Cerasus × yedoensis ‘Somei-yoshino,’ and to examine their performance by comparing them with 46 published chlorophyll indices and SPAD. For 96 and 100 leaf samples, measurements were taken using a spectroradiometer with a leaf-clip attachment and a SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter, and chlorophyll content was determined by extraction with N,N′-dimethylformamide. The optimal leaf chlorophyll indices were then developed systematically by testing eight types of indices. As a result, we confirmed that the optimal chlorophyll indices performed better than any of the published leaf chlorophyll indices or SPAD, giving RMSEs that were approximately twice as good as those for SPAD, and found that the newly proposed index type—a difference and ratio combination type—may be a useful form of chlorophyll content estimation. We also found that absorptance indices achieved equivalent results to reflectance indices despite the hypothesis that absorptance measurement is direct and has more potential. Among the published indices, the reflectance ratio index of Datt [Datt B (1999) Int J Remote Sens 20(14):2741–2759] and the red edge chlorophyll index of Ciganda et al. [Ciganda V, Gitelson A, Schepers J (2009) J Plant Physiol 166:157–167] were effective at estimating the leaf chlorophyll contents of both flowering cherries.     

Evaluation of reflectance spectroscopy indices for estimation of chlorophyll content in leaves of a tropical tree species

The effectiveness of eight spectral reflectance indices for estimating chlorophyll (Chl) content in leaves of Eugenia uniflora L., a tropical tree species widely distributed throughout the world and a key species for ecosystem restoration projects, was evaluated. Spectral reflectance indices were tested using sun and shade leaves with a broad variation in leaf mass per area (LMA). Shortly after plants were exposed to chilling temperatures, there was a dramatic visible change in some sun leaves from green to red. Prior to testing Chl-related reflectance indices, the green and red leaves were separated according to the anthocyanin reflectance index (ARI). Slightly green to dark green leaves corresponded to an ARI value less than 0.11 (n = 107), whereas slightly red to red leaves corresponded to an ARI value greater than 0.11 (n = 35). To estimate leaf Chl, two simple reflectance indices (SR₆₈₀ and SR₇₀₅), two normalized difference indices (ND₆₈₀ and ND₇₀₅), two modified reflectance indices (mSR₇₀₅ and mND705), a modified Chl absorption ratio index (mCARI₇₀₅) and an index insensitive to the presence of anthocyanins (CI_re) were evaluated. Good estimates of leaf Chl content were obtained using the reflectance indices tested regardless of the presence of anthocyanins and changes in LMA. Based on the coefficients of determination (r ²) and the root mean square errors (RMS?_c) the best results were obtained with reflectance indices measured at wavelengths of 750 and 705 nm. Considering the performance of the models the best reflectance indices to estimate Chl contents in E. uniflora leaves with a broad variation in LMA and anthocyanin contents was SR₇₀₅ and mCARI₇₀₅.     

Relationships between leaf chlorophyll content and spectral reflectance and algorithms for non-destructive chlorophyll assessment in higher plant leaves

Leaf chlorophyll content provides valuable information about physiological status of plants. Reflectance measurement makes it possible to quickly and non-destructively assess, in situ, the chlorophyll content in leaves. Our objective was to investigate the spectral behavior of the relationship between reflectance and chlorophyll content and to develop a technique for non-destructive chlorophyll estimation in leaves with a wide range of pigment content and composition using reflectance in a few broad spectral bands. Spectral reflectance of maple, chestnut, wild vine and beech leaves in a wide range of pigment content and composition was investigated. It was shown that reciprocal reflectance (R lambda)-1 in the spectral range lambda from 520 to 550 nm and 695 to 705 nm related closely to the total chlorophyll content in leaves of all species. Subtraction of near infra-red reciprocal reflectance, (RNIR)-1, from (R lambda)-1 made index [(R lambda)(-1)-(RNIR)-1] linearly proportional to the total chlorophyll content in spectral ranges lambda from 525 to 555 nm and from 695 to 725 nm with coefficient of determination r2 > 0.94. To adjust for differences in leaf structure, the product of the latter index and NIR reflectance [(R lambda)(-1)-(RNIR)-1]*(RNIR) was used; this further increased the accuracy of the chlorophyll estimation in the range lambda from 520 to 585 nm and from 695 to 740 nm. Two independent data sets were used to validate the developed algorithms. The root mean square error of the chlorophyll prediction did not exceed 50 mumol/m2 in leaves with total chlorophyll ranged from 1 to 830 mumol/m2.     

水稻上部叶片叶绿素含量的高光谱估算模型

叶片叶绿素 (Chl) 状况是评价植株光合效率和营养胁迫的重要指标,实时无损监测Chl状况对作物生长诊断及氮素管理具有重要意义.以不同生态点、不同年份、不同施氮水平、不同类型水稻品种的4个田间试验为基础,于主要生育期同步测定了水稻主茎顶部4张叶片的高光谱反射率及Chl含量,并计算了350～2500 nm范围内任意两波段组合而成的比值(SR[λ1,λ2])和归一化(ND[λ1,λ2])光谱指数以及已报道的对Chl敏感的光谱指数,进一步系统分析了叶片Chl含量与上述光谱指数之间的定量关系.结果表明,红边波段的比值和归一化光谱指数可以较好地预测水稻上部4叶的Chl含量(R~2>0.9),但对于不同Chl指标其最佳组合波段有所差异.估算叶绿素a (Chla)、叶绿素总量(Chla+b)和叶绿素b (Chlb)的最佳比值光谱指数分别为SR(724,709)、SR(728,709)和SR(749,745),方程拟合决定系数R~2分别是0.947、0.946、0.905;最佳归一化光谱指数分别为ND(780,709)、ND(780,712)和ND(749,745),R~2分别是0.944、0.943、0.905.引入445 nm波段反射率对上述光谱指数进行修正,可以降低叶片表面反射差异的影响,提高模型的应用范围.利用不同年份独立的试验资料对所建模型进行了检验,结果表明,修正型比值光谱指数 mSR(724,709)、mSR(728,709) 和 mSR(749,745),以及修正型归一化光谱指数mND(780,709)、mND(780,712) 和 mND(749,745) 预测 Chla、Chla+b 和 Chlb 的效果更好,其测试的RMSE分别为 0.169、0.192、0.052、0.159、0.176、0.052,RE分别为8.18%、7.74%、13.01%、8.26%、7.59%、12.96%,均较修正前降低,说明修正后的光谱指数普适性更好.     

Relationships between endophyte diversity and leaf optical properties

A single tropical plant species can harbour hundreds of endophyte species within its tissues. Beyond this, little is known about the relationship between endophyte colonization, leaf traits and spectral properties of leaves. We explore these relationships in Coccoloba cereifera, a plant well known for its symbiotic properties. Endophyte richness in C. cereifera was statistically correlated with leaf traits such as water content, the ratio of fresh weight/dry weight and polyphenol/leaf specific weight. Endophyte diversity was also related to spectral vegetation indices of chlorophyll content. The associations among endophyte diversity, leaf traits and spectral reflectance pose new questions and present new opportunities to better understand plant–fungal symbioses and related leaf optical properties.     

基于光谱指数的植物叶片叶绿素含量的估算模型

叶绿素是光合作用能力和植被发育阶段的指示器,是监测湿地植被生长健康状况的重要指标之一;高光谱遥感技术可以为植物叶绿素含量的定量化诊断提供简便有效、非破坏性的数据采集和处理方法。为保证被探测叶片面积相同,消除背景反射、叶片表面弯曲造成的光谱波动及叶片内部变异造成的影响,研究采用Field Spec 3光谱仪加载手持叶夹式叶片光谱探测器,测定野鸭湖湿地典型植物的叶片高光谱反射率数据,同时通过分光光度计室内测定相应叶片的叶绿素含量。采用相关性及单变量线性拟合分析技术,建立二者的关系模型,包括叶绿素含量与"三边"参数的相关模型以及比值光谱指数(SR)模型和归一化差值光谱指数(ND)模型,并采用交叉检验中的3K-CV方法对估算模型进行模型精度检验。结果表明:植物叶片叶绿素含量与"三边"参数大多都呈极显著相关,相关系数最大达到0.867;计算光谱反射率组成的比值(SR)和归一化(ND)光谱指数与叶绿素含量的决定系数,总体相关性比较高,较好的波段组合均为550—700nm与700—1400nm以及550—700nm与1600—1900nm,与叶绿素含量相关性最好的指数分别是SR(565nm,740nm)和ND(565nm,735nm)。并通过选取相关性最佳的光谱特征参数,分别基于"三边"参数和ND模型指数构建了植物叶片叶绿素含量的估算模型。其中,基于红边位置(WP_r)光谱特征参数和ND(565nm,735nm)光谱指数建立的叶绿素含量估算模型,取得了较好的测试效果,检验拟合方程的决定系数(R2)都达到0.8以上,估算模型分别为y=0.113x-78.74,y=5.5762x+4.4828。通过3K-CV方法进行测试和检验,植物叶绿素含量估算模型均取得了较为理想的预测精度,预测精度的分别为93.9%及90.7%。高光谱遥感技术对植被进行微弱光谱差异的定量分析,在植被遥感研究与应用中表现出强大优势,为植物叶绿素含量诊断中的实际应用提供了重要的理论依据和技术支持。     

Modelling plant species distribution in alpine grasslands using airborne imaging spectroscopy

Remote sensing using airborne imaging spectroscopy (AIS) is known to retrieve fundamental optical properties of ecosystems. However, the value of these properties for predicting plant species distribution remains unclear. Here, we assess whether such data can add value to topographic variables for predicting plant distributions in French and Swiss alpine grasslands. We fitted statistical models with high spectral and spatial resolution reflectance data and tested four optical indices sensitive to leaf chlorophyll content, leaf water content and leaf area index. We found moderate added-value of AIS data for predicting alpine plant species distribution. Contrary to expectations, differences between species distribution models (SDMs) were not linked to their local abundance or phylogenetic/functional similarity. Moreover, spectral signatures of species were found to be partly site-specific. We discuss current limits of AIS-based SDMs, highlighting issues of scale and informational content of AIS data.     

Nondestructive estimation of anthocyanins and chlorophylls in anthocyanic leaves

The anthocyanin and chlorophyll contents in leaves provide valuable information about the physiological status of plants. Thus, there is a need for accurate, efficient, and practical methodologies to estimate these biochemical parameters of vegetation. In this study, we tested the performance and accuracy of several nondestructive, reflectance-based techniques for estimating anthocyanin and chlorophyll contents in leaves of four unrelated species, European hazel (Corylus avellana), Siberian dogwood (Cornus alba =Swida alba), Norway maple (Acer platanoides), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), with widely variable pigment content and composition. An anthocyanin reflectance index, which uses reflectances in the green and red edge spectral bands, and a modified anthocyanin reflectance index, employing, in addition, the near-infrared (NIR) band, were able to accurately estimate leaf anthocyanin for all species taken together with no reparameterization of algorithms. Total chlorophyll content was accurately estimated by a red edge chlorophyll index that uses spectral bands in the red edge and the NIR. These approaches can be used to estimate anthocyanin and chlorophyll nondestructively and allow the development of simple handheld field instrumentation.     

Leaf spectral signatures differ in plant species colonizing habitats along a hydrological gradient

Aims We aimed at determining differences in the leaf spectral signatures of plant species groups growing in habitats along the hydrological gradient of an intermittent wetland and to define leaf traits that explain their variability. We want to contribute to the understanding of the causes for plant spectrum variability at leaf and community levels.Methods We measured leaf reflectance spectra (300–887nm) of representative plant species from different habitats and analyzed spectral differences among species groups. To explain leaf spectra variability within a group, we performed detailed analyses of leaf morphological and biochemical traits in selected species.Important findings The reflectance spectra of the different species groups differed most in the green, yellow and red spectral ranges. The reflectance spectra of submerged leaves of hydrophytes with simple structures were explained by their biochemical traits (carotenoids), while for more complex aerial leaves, morphological traits were more important. In submerged and natant leaves of amphiphytes, total mesophyll and spongy tissue thickness were the most important traits, and these explained 44% and 47%, respectively, of the spectrum variability of each plant group. In general, the redundancy analysis biplots show that samples of different plant species colonizing the same habitat form separate clusters and are related to the explanatory variables in different ways. The redundancy analysis biplots of helophytes and wet meadow species show clustering of graminoids and dicots into two distinct groups. Leaf encrustation (prickle hair properties and epidermis thickness) is important for graminoids, while leaf thickness and specific leaf area have more important roles in dicots. Our results show that knowledge of the species composition and leaf traits is necessary to interpret the reflectance spectra of such plant communities.     

Assessing leaf pigment content and activity with a reflectometer

This study explored reflectance indices sampled with a 'leaf reflectometer' as measures of pigment content for leaves of contrasting light history, developmental stage and functional type (herbaceous annual versus sclerophyllous evergreen). We employed three reflectance indices: a modified normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), an index of chlorophyll content; the red/green reflectance ratio ( R _RED: R _GREEN), an index of anthocyanin content; and the change in photochemical reflectance index upon dark–light conversions (ΔPRI), an index of xanthophyll cycle pigment activity. In Helianthus annuus (sunflower), xanthophyll cycle pigment amounts were linearly related to growth light environment; leaves in full sun contained approximately twice the amount of xanthophyll cycle pigments as leaves in deep shade, and at midday a larger proportion of these pigments were in the photoprotective, de-epoxidized forms relative to shade leaves. Reflectance indices also revealed contrasting patterns of pigment development in leaves of contrasting structural types (annual versus evergreen). In H. annuus sun leaves, there was a remarkably rapid increase in amounts of both chlorophyll and xanthophyll cycle pigments along a leaf developmental sequence. This pattern contrasted with that of Quercus agrifolia (coast live oak, a sclerophyllous evergreen), which exhibited a gradual development of both chlorophyll and xanthophyll cycle pigments along with a pronounced peak of anthocyanin pigment content in newly expanding leaves. These temporal patterns of pigment development in Q. agrifolia leaves suggest that anthocyanins and xanthophyll cycle pigments serve complementary photoprotective roles during early leaf development. The results illustrate the use of reflectance indices for distinguishing divergent patterns of pigment activity in leaves of contrasting light history and functional type.     

不同水氮条件下水稻冠层反射光谱与植株含水率的定量关系

研究了不同土壤水氮条件下水稻 (Oryzasativa) 冠层光谱反射特征和植株水分状况的量化关系。结果表明, 水稻冠层近红外光谱反射率随土壤含水量的降低而降低, 短波红外光谱反射率随土壤含水量的降低而升高。相同土壤水分条件下, 高氮水稻的冠层含水率高于低氮水稻的冠层含水率 ;同一水分条件下, 高氮处理的可见光区和短波红外波段光谱反射率低于低氮处理, 近红外波段光谱反射率高于低氮处理。发现拔节后比值植被指数 (R810 /R460 ) 与水稻叶片含水率和植株含水率呈极显著的线性相关, 模型的检验误差 (RootmeansquareError, RMSE) 分别为 0.93和 1.5 0。表明比值植被指数R810 /R460 可以较好地监测不同生育期水稻叶片和植株含水率。     

植被叶片及冠层层次含水量估算模型的建立

利用LOPEX'93数据库中7个鲜叶片含水量(Cw)和光谱反射率实测数据,基于光谱指数法,在叶片层次,用47个随机样本建立Cw与不同光谱指数的统计模型,并用另外20个样本验证.结果表明,Cw的两种表征形式相对含水量FMC和等价水深EWT在提取叶片Cw时差异较大,EWT与各光谱指数的相关性较FMC高,但FMC对叶片Cw的反演精度高于EWT.而反演精度更高的是基于最优子集回归建立的光谱指数线性模型.Ratio₉₇₅是叶片层次提取Cw的普适光谱指数.冠层层次,利用PROSPECT+SAILH耦合模型,模拟在不同叶面积指数LAI和Cw下的冠层光谱.为了剔除背景影响,更好地提取冠层Cw,提出用近红外和短波红外波段反射率构造土壤可调节水分指数(SAWI),该指数与其他光谱指数的比值能明显地剔除土壤背景影响,更准确地提取冠层Cw.Ratio₉₇₅的改进型光谱指数(Ratio₉₇₅-0.9)/(SAWI+0.2)能用来提取叶面积指数LAI从0.3到8.0,Cw从0.0001cm到0.07cm的冠层Cw,研究表明精度较高.     

Nondestructive assessment of leaf chemistry and physiology through spectral reflectance measurements may be misleading when changes in trichome density co-occur

Reflectance indices are frequently used for the nondestructive assessment of leaf chemistry, especially pigment content, in environmental or developmental studies. Since reflectance spectra are influenced by trichome density, and trichome density displays a considerable phenotypic plasticity, we asked whether this structural parameter could be a source of variation in the values of the most commonly used indices. Trichome density was manipulated in detached leaves of three species having either peltate (Olea europaea and Elaeagnus angustifolius) or tubular (Populus alba) trichomes by successive removal of hairs. After each dehairing step, trichome density was determined by light or scanning electron microscopy and reflectance spectra were obtained with a diode-array spectrometer. Although species-specific differences were evident, most of the indices were considerably affected even at low trichome densities. In general, the less-affected indices were those using wavebands within the visible spectral region. The index that could be safely used even at very high hair densities in all species was the red edge index (lambda(RE)) for chlorophyll. The results indicate that changes in reflectance indices should be interpreted cautiously when concurrent changes in trichome density are suspected. In this case, the red edge for chlorophyll content may be the index of choice.     

水稻高光谱变化特征与叶绿素含量监测研究

叶绿素含量是评价水稻光合效率的重要指标,实时无损监测叶绿素含量对水稻生长诊断具有重要意义。以水稻P88S(绿叶)和黄1S(黄叶)为试验材料,分析高光谱指数与水稻叶绿素含量的关系,并构建冠层反射光谱与水稻叶绿素含量监测模型。研究结果表明:水稻不同叶色的冠层光谱反射率随着植株生长而不断变化,在绿叶材料P88S的502-711 nm和黄叶材料黄1S的487-716 nm可见光波长范围内,叶绿素含量与一阶微分光谱的相关系数呈极显著正相关。以P88S RVI(363,675)和黄1S DVI'(639,680)作为光谱参数,与叶绿素含量建立估算模型拟合效果最佳,说明利用高光谱技术结合一阶微分光谱的方法可以监测水稻叶绿素含量。     

Reflectance Indices Indicative of Changes in Water and Pigment Contents of Peanut and Wheat Leaves

Measurements of reflectance in visible and near-infrared spectral regions were made on detached leaves of two crop species of different leaf morphology, structure, and water content (peanut and wheat) throughout progressive desiccation. Relative water content (RWC) was well correlated with water index (WI) but even better with the ratio of WI and normalized difference vegetation index. RWC was also significantly correlated with structural independent pigment index indicative of carotenoids/chlorophyll ratio. New indication is thus provided to assess leaf water content and apply simple and fast radiometric techniques for plant water stress management. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Application of Reflectance Spectroscopy for Analysis of Higher Plant Pigments

Nondestructive techniques developed by the authors for assessment of chlorophylls, carotenoids, and anthocyanins in higher plant leaves and fruits are presented. The spectral features of leaf reflectance in the visible and near infrared regions are briefly considered. For pigment analysis only reflectance values at several specific wavelengths are required. The chlorophyll (Chl) content over a wide range of its changes can be assessed during leaf ontogeny using reflectance near 700 nm and, in the absence of anthocyanins, at 550 nm. The approaches used for elimination of Chl interference in the analysis of carotenoids (reflectance at 520 nm) and anthocyanins (at 550 nm) are described. The suitability of reflectance spectroscopy for estimates of carotenoid/chlorophyll ratios during leaf senescence and fruit ripening is demonstrated. The algorithms developed for pigment analysis are presented, and the conditions of their applicability are considered. Further perspectives for the application of reflectance spectroscopy including remote sensing for estimation of plant pigment content and physiological states are discussed.