L-system tree model and LIDAR simulator: estimation of spray target area.

The ability to estimate the target area of row crops is an important requirement for the development, registration and efficient use of modern crop protection products for tree fruit spraying. In this study we simulated the LIDAR system using a trajectory model of light transmission compare estimates of the spray target area from LIDAR recordings. The branching structure and dimensional detail of typical tree-row targets is generated numerically using an open L-system model. The results show good correlation between the area estimates given by the simulation system and the records.