1. Unlocking Canopy Dynamics: Uav-lidar-based Biomass Estimation in Ocimum Basilicum

UAV-LiDAR offers a high-throughput route to phenotyping and biomass estimation in basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Over three crops seasons (2021–2023), we evaluated three commercial varieties across 96 plots under different irrigation regimes and sowing densities. Multi-temporal LiDAR acquisitions quantified canopy height, LAI and volume and were validated against ground truth. Canopy volume strongly predicted fresh biomass (R² = 0.93; mean error < 8%). Across years, fresh biomass... P. Toscano