Abstract
ABSTRACT Leaf area (cm2 per leaf) and leaf pigment content are important traits that can be used to better understand a plants physiology. In this study, empirical non-destructive models for leaf area and leaf pigment based on the leaf dimensions, length (L) and width (W) in centimeters, and chlorophyll meter readings were developed for feijoa (Acca sellowiana). The experiment was carried out during January 2016 using five-year-old trees of 60 genotypes, grown under field conditions in the state of Paraná, Brazil. The proposed leaf area (LA) model was L A = 0 . 0022 L 3 + 0 . 1482 W 2 + 0 . 6159 L W + 0 . 1076 (R2 = 0.99). Three current leaf area models found in the literature were also assessed. All of the already created models were less accurate than the model proposed in this article. The proposed leaf pigment models were based on the Falker Chlorophyll Index for Chlorophyll a (A) and b (B), these were C h l a = 2 . 564 A + 13 . 098 B - 42 . 605 (R2 = 0.94), C h l b = 1 . 538 A + 3 . 287 B + 8 . 847 (R2 = 0.86) and C a r o t e n o i d s = 0 . 947 B + 8 . 943 (R2 = 0.88) expressed as µmol m-2 of leaf blade. In conclusion, the proposed models in this study were shown to be a reliable non-destructivel way of estimating A. sellowiana leaf area and leaf pigment.
Highlights
IntroductionIn Brazil the cultivated area of feijoa is increasing (Donazzolo et al, 2015), with cultivars having been created (Ducroquet et al, 2007, 2008)
To advance in feijoa cultivation plant ecophysiology studies are necessary, including those relating to leaf area (LA) and pigment content (LP)
These two traits are important in order to define the plasticity and adaptability of feijoa trees to distinct environments, such as agroforestry systems (Donazzolo et al, 2014) and under the effects of water stress (Baracaldo & Gutiérrez, 2014)
Summary
In Brazil the cultivated area of feijoa is increasing (Donazzolo et al, 2015), with cultivars having been created (Ducroquet et al, 2007, 2008). To advance in feijoa cultivation plant ecophysiology studies are necessary, including those relating to leaf area (LA) and pigment content (LP). These two traits are important in order to define the plasticity and adaptability of feijoa trees to distinct environments, such as agroforestry systems (Donazzolo et al, 2014) and under the effects of water stress (Baracaldo & Gutiérrez, 2014). Indirect methods for quantifying LA and LP are useful, principally when equipment and/or analytical reagent for direct measurement are not available or nondestructive measurements are required, such as under field conditions or low plant density growing in pots for controlled experiments (Peksen, 2007)
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