Abstract
Abstract Pasture studies require information on leaf area, as it is one of the main parameters for evaluation of plant growth. Thus, the objective of this study was to estimate the leaf blade area of pangolão grass (Digitaria pentzii Stent.) using non-destructive methods by regression model analysis. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks, with three cutting heights (10, 15, and 20 cm) and four replications. Three hundred leaf blades of pangolão grass were randomly collected, and their respective lengths (L) and widths (W) determined using a digital caliper. The leaf blade area of pangolão grass was estimated by the gravimetric method, using linear and power regression models to explain the leaf blade area as a function of the product of L and maximum W. The real leaf blade area presented an average value of 18.64 cm2, ranging from 4.29 to 45.95 cm2. The leaf blade area of pangolão grass, regardless of cutting height, was estimated with greater accuracy by the power model. The power model, Ŷ=LW1.007, can be used to estimate the leaf blade area of pangolão grass based on leaf blade L and W values.
Highlights
Pangolão grass (Digitaria pentzii Stent.) is a grass originating in Zimbabwe and the surrounding area in Africa
The chemical attributes of the soil were characterized by Empresa Pernambucana de Pesquisa Agropecuária (IPA): pH = 7.20; P (Mehlich I extractor) = 40 mg dm-3; K+ = 0.45; Ca2+ = 5.3; Mg2+ = 1.1; Na+ = 0.06; Al3+ = 0.0; H+ = 1.23; SB = 6.91; CTC = 8.14; and V = 84.89%
All plants were maintained at field capacity using the gravimetric method for the first 30 days after planting (DAP)
Summary
Pangolão grass (Digitaria pentzii Stent.) is a grass originating in Zimbabwe and the surrounding area in Africa. A high degree of manpower is used, and all plant leaves are collected. The direct and non-destructive method is dependent on equipment and is typically expensive[5]. Statistical modeling using linear dimensions as explanatory variables to estimate the real leaf area has become a very useful and inexpensive method to study plant growth and development, eliminating the need for expensive equipment or lengthy geometric reconstruction[8]. The agronomic characteristics of pangolão grass have been studied; there are few studies on leaf blade area estimation for this species. The objective of this study was to estimate the leaf blade area of pangolão grass, using non-destructive methods through regression model analysis
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