Estimation of morphological characteristics of Seedlings of Genipa americana L. (Rubiaceae)

Abstract

Genipa americana L. is a tree species with socioeconomic and environmental potential. Popularly known as jenipapeiro, it is used in the production of wood and its fruits are considered one of the main recipes of small farmers, being also used in the recovery of degraded areas. The work aimed to evaluate and compare the traditional method (Pachymeter) and digital image obtained through a photographic camera to determine the height of the plant, height of insertion of the first leaf and diameter of the neck of American genipa. The study was carried out in the Flora-action-Seedlings nursery and in the Didactics II laboratory. In the nursery, 30 seedlings were analyzed randomly. In the same numerical sequence were the seedlings on the phenotyping platform where the images were captured, with a Sony Gps Hd Avchd progressive digital camera, attached at a height of 50 cm. The diameter of the stem (CD), the total height of the plant and the height of insertion of the last leaf were measured using the free ImageJ software, using images from digital cameras. Statistical analyzes were performed with the aid of the Sigmaplot program and analyzed using descriptive statistics to estimate measures of central tendency (mean) and dispersion (standard deviation and coefficient of variation). Through the results, it is possible to observe the high proportion of the two methodologies, being validated both for the traditional methods (caliper) and for the innovative method (digital image). Where the coefficients were high, showing the accuracy of the methods. Thus, it indicates that the digital camera can be very useful to measure the total height of a plant and can also be indicated for trees, shrubs and others. According to the data obtained, it can be said that there is precision between the methodologies used with manual measurement and digital images, using the ImageJ software, and its use is recommended for the analysis of the morphological characteristics of the species Genipa americana L.