Hyperspectral measurements of severity of stripe rust on individual wheat leaves

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of severity of stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis) on the hyperspectral reflectance of wheat. A total of 110 leaf samples with a range of disease severity were collected at the heading stage (Stage І, 29 April) and grain filling stage (Stage II, 21 May). The spectra of the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of the leaf samples were taken using an ASD Leaf Clip, and the spectral characteristics were analysed. The photochemical reflectance index (PRI) was used to build two linear regression functions from the two growth stages using 70 leaves, and the remaining 40 leaves were used to validate their effectiveness. The results indicated that P. striiformis caused changes in foliar water and chlorophyll, and those changes made it feasible to assess disease severity using in situ hyperspectral measurements. In general, the reflectance values from the adaxial surfaces of the leaf samples were smaller than the abaxial surfaces. In comparison to Stage І, the spectral contrast of four different disease severities was greater at Stage II. By comparing the regression functions, the coefficient of determination using the set of leaves for validation for Stage І (R2 = 0.74) was smaller than that for Stage II (R2 = 0.83). However, the coefficient of determination for validation for Stage І (R2 = 0.91) was slightly larger than that of Stage II (R2 = 0.90). The results suggest that the ASD Leaf Clip is an ideal tool to collect in situ hyperspectral measurements of wheat leaves showing symptoms of stripe rust, and Stage II is more appropriate to assess severity compared to Stage І.