Method for Automatic Counting Root Nodules Using Digital Images

This paper presents a method to automatically count nodules that are present in the roots of many legume plants, using digital images captured after the nodules have been removed from the roots. This problem poses a significant challenge due to a number of reasons: the size and shape of the nodules vary greatly, they may appear clustered, and their texture is not uniform. The proposed method exploits well-known morphological operations to discriminate each nodule, making the counting process possible. Tests reveal a good correlation between automatic and manual counting.