A view from above: the use of drones and image-based phenotyping in breeding and production of woody ornamentals

Increasing options for image capture and open-source image analysis, combined with the use of drones, allow for more high throughput phenomics and non-destructive plant trait quantification. This creates new possibilities in breeding and production management of crops. For woody plants this high-throughput phenotyping approach is only in its infancy. Here, we evaluate the possibilities of image-based phenotyping by tripod photography and use of UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) for woody ornamentals and describe some case-studies from our breeding programs in Rhododendron, Escallonia, Sarcococca and Rosa. Apart from phenotyping in breeding and selection programs, image based analysis might also be applied in production nurseries. It might be possible to detect abiotic stress or disease symptoms in an early stage. The use of drones can be a useful tool for crop inventory, crop monitoring, and crop management.