A simple model for nondestructive leaf area estimation in bedding plants

• DOI: 10.1007/s11099-011-0041-z
• Publication Date: 2011-09-12T07:32:55Z
• Authors: F. Giuffrida; Y. Rouphael; S. Toscano; D. Scuderi; D. Romano; C. M. Rivera; G. Colla; C. Leonardi
• Keywords: Petunia; Floriculture; Bedding

Measurement of leaf area is commonly used in many horticultural research experiments, but it generally destructive, requiring leaves to be removed for measurement. Determining the individual (LA) bedding plants like pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.), dahlia (Dahlia pinnata), sweet William (Dianthus barbatus geranium (Pelargonium × hortorum), petunia (Petunia hybrida), and pansy (Viola wittrockiana) involves measurements parameters such as length (L) width (W) or some combinations these parameters. Two experiments were carried out during spring 2010 (on two marigold, four dahlia, three William, geranium, petunia, cultivars) summer one cultivar per species) under greenhouse conditions test whether a model could developed estimate LA across cultivars. Regression analysis versus L W revealed several models that estimating leaves. A linear having LW independent variable provided most accurate (highest R 2, smallest mean square error, predicted residual error sum squares) all plants. Validation measured experiment coming from other cultivars showed correlation between calculated areas was very high. Therefore, allometric considered simple useful tools experimental comparisons without use any expensive instruments.