Use of Models as Non-destructive Method for Leaf Area Estimation in Horticultural Crops

Abstract

Leaf area estimation is an important biometrical trait for evaluating leaf development and plant growth analysis in field study of horticultural as well as other species of crop plants. These measurements can be made either destructively and/or non-destructively by using a variety of sensitive instruments as well as models of leaf area estimation. Easy, accurate, cost-effective, and nondestructive methods of leaf area estimation are useful tool in physiological studies related to plant growth and development. The use of regression equations is a nondestructive, simple, quick, accurate, reliable and not expensive method of leaf area estimation. The usual procedure of this method involves measuring length (L), breadth (W) and/or dry mass (M) of a sample of leaves and then calculating the several possible regression coefficients or leaf factors to estimate the area of subsequent leaf samples. Computer programs such as Excel, SAS and SPSS may be used in this process. The paper thrashed out several leaf area estimation models of horticultural crops from the available literature and synthesized in tabular form for the use of researchers. Article also offered some advantages and disadvantages of leaf area estimation models used for analyzing the plant growth and development.