Abstract
The knowledge of the variables specific leaf area and leaf area index is important for direct or indirect quantification of plant growth, development and yield. However, there is a lack of these information due to the difficulty in measuring the leaf area of chamomile. Measuring leaf area by direct methods, such as the use of leaf area integrator is a very laborious and time consuming activity because the plant has many leaves and with small size. The use of leaf dry matter is a promising variable for the leaf area estimation. As an important measure to evaluate plant growth, the present study aimed to obtain a model for chamomile leaf area estimation through leaf dry matter. The experiment was conducted in two sowing dates (March 18 and June 30, 2017) at different plant densities (66, 33, 22, 16, 13, 11 and 8 plants m-2). The leaves of chamomile plants were collected in the plant vegetative and reproductive phases. The leaf area determination was performed using the electronic integration method of leaf area. The specific leaf area was 133 cm2 g-1, with no differences between sowing dates, plant densities and phenological phases of plant collection. The leaf area measured with the electronic leaf area integrator exhibited high correlation with chamomile leaf dry matter and the resulting model of leaf area data by the integrator presented optimum performance. This model is indicated for leaf area determination of chamomile when there is availability of leaf dry matter data.
Highlights
Among the medicinal plants grown in Brazil, chamomile (Chamomilla recutita L.) is the most prominent (Corrêa, Júnior, & Scheffer, 2014)
As there was no significant difference between the specific leaf areas calculated from the leaf area obtained by the integrator with a coefficient of variation of 9%, we can infer that the mean specific leaf weight of 133 cm2·g -1 can be used for all the tested treatments
A model of leaf area estimation for chamomile was obtained through the linear regression model between leaf dry matter and leaf area measured by the leaf area integrator (Figure 1)
Summary
Among the medicinal plants grown in Brazil, chamomile (Chamomilla recutita L.) is the most prominent (Corrêa, Júnior, & Scheffer, 2014). Growing demand for medicinal plants is observed with increased interest of the population in natural therapies through the use of medicinal plants and herbal products (Borsato et al, 2008). This demand requires increments in crop production and yield. The research development that eases the compression of plant development and which are the factors that potentiate its productivity becomes paramount with greater requirements for medicinal products in the market. Information on specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf area index (LAI) are important for the quantification of growth, development, yield and its estimation through mechanistic modeling
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
