Calculation of biomass volume of citrus trees from an adapted dendrometry

Abstract

A methodology and computational algorithms, to calculate volumes and the total biomass contained in citrus trees from an adapted dendrometry were developed. The methodology could be used as a tool to manage resources from the orchards, establishing adequate predictive models for assessing parameters such as income from raw materials for the cultivation, fruit production, CO2 sink, and waste materials (i.e. residual wood) used for energy or industry. Dendrometry has been traditionally applied to forest trees. However, little research has been conducted on fruit trees due to their heterogeneous structure. To develop the process of biomass quantification it was necessary to perform systems of measurement, enabling to determine volumes of the analysed trees. Firstly, form factors and volume functions for the branches were calculated. These volume functions gave 0.97 coefficient of determination from base diameter and length. The relationships between apparent crown volume and actual volume in the crown (i.e. no hollows) of the trees were established, with 0.80 coefficient of determination. Occupation factor and the distribution of biomass in the crown strata were evaluated. These results could be correlated with production and quality of the fruit, with the amount of residual biomass coming from pruning, and with LIDAR data what may produce a simple, quick and accurate way to predict biomass.