Mathematical morphology is a new subject established based on rigorous mathematical theories. In the basis of set theory, mathematical morphology is used for image processing, analysing and comprehending. It is a powerful tool in the geometric morphological analysis and description. Based on the study of mathematical morphology, a new mathematical morphological double-gradient algorithm is proposed, and it is used in edge detection of decayed wood images. Structuring elements are chose appropriately, in order to suppress noises and be adapted to different edges of images. Mathematical morphological double gradient algorithm is constructed by weight adding combination of morphological operation. The results of simulation in decayed wood image processing demonstrate that the method performs better in noise-suppression and edge detection than conventional edge detection operations. Consequently, it provides a new method in processing decayed wood images.
