A Method for Determining Leaf Area of One, Two and Three Year Old Coconut Seedlings (Var. CRIC 60)

Abstract

A rapid, non-destructive and accurate method for determining the leaf area of one, two and three year old coconut seedlings (var. CRIC 60) is proposed using three linear regression models y = 5.9647 + 0.6314 x, y = 3.9325 + 0.7044* and y = 8.4507 + 0.6798* with reliabilities of 94.5%, 98.3% and 97.8% respectively, where x is the product of the length and breadth at the broadest position of the leaflet and y is the area of the leaflet. In order to study the relative performance of seedlings, a common model y = 2.2138 + 0.7192 x (r 2 = 98.6%), which can be considered to be representative, could be used irrespective of the age of the seedling, if the third leaf is used.

Relation between leaf area and dimensions of selected medicinal plants

“…But, regression equations that incorporate leaf length and/or width are generally chosen for their simplicity and accuracy, and because these measurements are non-destructive. Thus, many studies have been carried out to estimate leaf area by linear measurements of leaf width and length in the following plants: soybean (LIETH et al 1986), cucumbers (ROBBINS, PHARR 1987), orange (ARIAS et al 1989;RAMKHELAWAN, BRATHWAITE 1992), French bean (RAI et al 1990), coconut (MATHES et al 1990), banana (POTDAR, PAWAR 1995), grape (UZUN, ÇE-LIK 1999), miscanthus (VARGAS et al 2002)…”

Effect of Irrigation on Establishment and Early Growth of Coconut (VAR.CRIC 60) in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka.

“…the number of leaves, height of the seedling, girth at the collar, width of the crown, were recorded at six-monthly intervals. The total leaf area of the third leaf was measured at the end of the 30th month as this leaf could be used as a representative leaf to determine growth Satheesan et al (1983) and Mathes et al (1989). The vigour of the palm, patterned after Child (1974), was estimated using…”

“…The leaf area of a leaflet was calculated by measuring the length and the breadth at the broadest position and using the function developed by Mathes et al (1989). Since the evaluation of leaf area was very tedious and time-consuming the recording was done only at the end of the 30th month and only for the 3rd leaf.…”