Estimation of Whole Plant Photosynthetic Rate of Irwin Mango under Artificial and Natural Lights Using a Three-Dimensional Plant Model and Ray-Tracing

Photosynthesis is an important physiological response for determination of CO(2) fertilization in greenhouses and estimation of crop growth. In order to estimate the whole plant photosynthetic rate, it is necessary to investigate how light interception by crops changes with environmental and morphological factors. The objectives of this study were to analyze plant light interception using a three-dimensional (3D) plant model and ray-tracing, determine the spatial distribution of the photosynthetic rate, and estimate the whole plant photosynthetic rate of Irwin mango (Mangifera indica L. cv. Irwin) grown in greenhouses. In the case of mangoes, it is difficult to measure actual light interception at the canopy level due to their vase shape. A two-year-old Irwin mango tree was used to measure the whole plant photosynthetic rate. Light interception and whole plant photosynthetic rate were measured under artificial and natural light conditions using a closed chamber (1 × 1 × 2 m). A 3D plant model was constructed and ray-tracing simulation was conducted for calculating the photosynthetic rate with a two-variable leaf photosynthetic rate model of the plant. Under artificial light, the estimated photosynthetic rate increased from 2.0 to 2.9 μmolCO(2)·m(−2)·s(−1) with increasing CO(2) concentration. On the other hand, under natural light, the photosynthetic rate increased from 0.2 μmolCO(2)·m(−2)·s(−1) at 06:00 to a maximum of 7.3 μmolCO(2)·m(−2)·s(−1) at 09:00, then gradually decreased to −1.0 μmolCO(2)·m(−2)·s(−1) at 18:00. In validation, simulation results showed good agreement with measured results with R(2) = 0.79 and RMSE = 0.263. The results suggest that this method could accurately estimate the whole plant photosynthetic rate and be useful for pruning and adequate CO(2) fertilization.