Phenotyping the Seedling Vigor in Winter Wheat Based on Multispectral Images

Seedling vigor is a crucial determinant of crop establishment and yield in winter wheat. Traditional phenotyping methods are often laborintensive and time-consuming. This study explores the use of multispectral imaging to assess seedling vigor in winter wheat, providing a rapid, non-destructive alternative. In this research, winter wheat seedlings of AN1589, AN188, AN98 and JM22 were imaged at seedling stages using a multispectral camera during 2023–2024 wheat season. Key vegetation indices were extracted and analyzed. These indices were then correlated with traditional measurements of seedling vigor, including leaf area index (LAI), ground biomass (GB), and specific leaf area (SLA). The results demonstrated strong correlations between the multispectral vegetation indices and traditional vigor traits, validating the effectiveness of multispectral imaging for phenotyping seedling vigor. This approach offers a high-throughput, accurate method for assessing seedling vigor, which can facilitate breeding programs and precision agriculture practices aimed at improving winter wheat productivity.