Non-contact measurements of storage organ growth in fruit and root crops

Continuous measurement of the growth of a storage organ is often required, for analyzing environmental effects on crop production. Various techniques have been used for measuring storage organ growth. Non-contact methods are desirable for the growth analysis of an intact storage organ. Recently, laser beam-based measuring devices have been widely utilized in the industry for non-contact measurements of the width, length, or thickness of an object. These devices can also be effective tools for evaluating storage organ growth in plants. This article presents successful examples of the use of laser beam-based devices for non-contact growth measurements of two different types of storage organs, i.e., a tomato fruit and a sweetpotato tuberous root.