The Botanical Plant Modelling System (BPMS): a case study of multiple scattering in a barley canopy

A complex geometric model for describing the 3D structure of plant canopies is presented. The Botanical Plant Modelling System (BPMS) allows a complete (topologically accurate) 3D geometric description of a canopy to be constructed. The model can be used for simulating the optical scattered radiation field of plant canopies, soil, or other topography through Monte Carlo ray tracing, which provides detailed information regarding the scattering processes within the canopy. A detailed investigation of the use of the BPMS in the investigation of the multiple scattering behaviour within a developing barley canopy is presented. The utility of the BPMS as a tool for understanding the detailed scattering processes within a plant canopy is demonstrated.