Validation of a low-cost 2D laser scanner in development of a more-affordable mobile terrestrial proximal sensing system for 3D plant structure phenotyping in indoor environment

•A mobile proximal sensing system was developed by integrating low-cost laser scanners.•This constructed system proved to be able to derive detailed plant structure features.•This new system can be used for 3D plant structure phenotyping in indoor environments.•This more affordable system can help from greenhouse agronomy to broad-sense botany.