Method for determination of leaf area in miscanthus

Abstract

Purpose. To develop a technique for determining leaf area by measuring the length and width of a leaf and to determine empirically the conversion coefficients that will reflect the relationship between the leaf area and the product of its length and width for different varieties and hybrids of miscanthus. Methods. Field, laboratory, analytical and statistical. Results . A number of methods (cutting, calculation, using a millimetre paper or scanner) are known to determine the leaf area in plants; however they are adapted to specific plants and cannot be directly used to determine the leaf area of miscanthus plants. Leaf area of miscanthus plants can be determined by multiplying leaf length, leaf width ( L and B ) and the leaf shape index ( k ). Correlation between leaf area and linear dimensions of a leaf ( L and B ) was found ( r = 0.918…0.975), graphs of regressions were obtained, based on which indices for different types of miscanthus leaf were calculated. Experimental verification and evaluation of the accuracy of determining the leaf area in miscanthus were carried out using different methods: scanning and the calculation method. Conclusions. Leaf surface of different varieties and hybrids of miscanthus can be determined by the calculation method, i.e. multiplying leaf length, leaf width [ L (cm) and B (cm)] and the leaf shape index ( k ) as follows: S = k · L · B. The value of the leaf shape index for each variety or hybrid is individual and ranges from k = 0.476±0,029 (variety ‘Snow Queen’) to k = 0.724±0,017 (hybrid ‘Late’). This technique makes it possible to easily, quickly and accurate determine leaf area in miscanthus without destroying plants (average relative error is ± 4.1 %).