Pairs Of Leaflets Research Articles

Neptunia windleriana: A New Polyploid Species of Neptunia (Leguminosae) from Brazil Recognized by Anatomy, Morphology and Cytogenetics

Abstract—Neptunia windleriana, a new polyploid species of the pantropical genus Neptunia, is described and illustrated. This plant is endemic to the state of Bahia, Brazil, and is found in areas of Caatinga near the São Francisco River. Among the species occurring in Brazil, it is most similar to N. plena, a widespread species, by having a gland on the petiole, but it differs mainly by the number of pairs of pinnae and leaflets, shape of the spike in bud, and the size of the peduncles. It is morphologically distinct from all other species of the genus by the combination of prostrate subshrub habit, smaller leaves, shorter petiole and shorter rachis length, few-flowered, globose spikes, 10 stamens, and glabrous ovary. The presence of monocrystals in the bundle sheath cells of the bracts of N. windleriana is recorded here for the first time for the genus, together with the chromosome number (2n = 56 vs. 2n = 28, ∼52, 54, 56, 72, 78 for three other species of the genus occurring in Brazil), it can be also used to identify the species. The epidermis of the stipules, leaflet, and bracts of N. windleriana is uniseriate, with paracytic stomata. The vascular system has collateral arrangement with the vascular bundles covered by a sheath, with or without isolated monocrystals. Our data support earlier hypotheses that Neptunia has a base number of x2 = 14 which seems to be a secondary basic number that originated from an ancestral stock with x1 = 7 and underwent karyotypic evolution by polyploidy. A key to the Brazilian species of Neptunia as well as anatomical, cytogenetic, taxonomic, and geographic distribution data, ilustrations and photos are provided.

Phytochemical Analysis, In vitro Antibacterial Activity and Rate of Kill of Different Fractions of Dacryodes edulis Leaf

Dacryodes edulis is a fruit tree attaining a height of 18–40 meters mostly grown around the house and rarely in the forest. It has a relatively short trunk and a deep, dense crown and it is native to Africa hence often called African pear. The leaves are a compound with 5-8 pairs of leaflets. Acetone extract/solvent fractions of the leaves of Dacryodes edulis were used. The in vitro antibacterial activities and rate of kill of different fractions were investigated. The phytochemical screening was done by some chemical tests, antibacterial activity by agar well diffusion method and rate of kill was carried out on S. aureus and E. coli organisms. The fractions exhibited antibacterial activities with zones of inhibition ranged between 20 and 30 mm by Aqueous (AQU) fraction while Dichloromethane (DCM) fraction ranged between 22 and 32 mm. The standard antibiotics, streptomycin ranged between 10 and 20 mm and ampicillin between 11 and 27 mm. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of both fractions had range values between 0.78 and 6.25 mg/mL. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoid and glycoside. Overall, the two fractions had better activities than the standard antibiotics used. The time kill assay showed that the percentage of the cells killed increased with increasing concentrations of the fractions, as well as, contact time intervals. The AQU fraction killed 100% of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus cells at concentration of 4.68 mg/mL (3 X MIC) within 120 min while DCM fraction killed 100% of Escherichia coli cells within 90 min at a concentration of 4.68 mg/mL and killed 100% of S. aureus cells within 120 min at a concentration of 3.12 mg/mL (2X MIC). In conclusion, D. edulis leaf fraction has a broad spectrum antibacterial activity, with the AQU and DCM fractions being bactericidal as exemplified by the killing rate and MIC index of 2 (ratio of MBC/MIC) for both fractions.

ВПЛИВ АГРОТЕХНІЧНИХ ЗАХОДІВ НА РОЗВИТОК КОРЕНЕЇДУ ЦУКРОВИХ БУРЯКІВ

Дослідження присвячене аналізу впливу сільськогосподарських культур на формування ґрунтової біоти, її складу, до якого входять як патогенні, так і токсичні види міксоміцетів та регулюванню їх чисельності при чергуванні культур та насичення ними сівозміни. Дослідження спирається на оцінку доцільності вирощування цукрових буряків у сівозміні з додержанням оптимального строку повернення їх на попереднє місце. Експериментальні дослідження проводились протягом 2016-2019 років на науково-дослідному полі ПДАТУ, і передбачали визначення складу збудників коренеїду, грибків Fusarium i Aphanomyces та ступінь ураженості сходів хворобою у фазі першої пари листочків. Дослідженнями встановлено, що обмеженню розповсюдження коренеїду коренеплодів під час вегетації цукрових буряків буде сприяти оптимальний строк повернення буряків на попереднє місце вирощування і боротьба з хворобою шляхом застосування інтегрованих систем захисних агротехнічних заходів. Виходячи з одержаних результатів можна стверджувати, що збільшення концентрації цукрових буряків у сівозміні приводить до збільшення розповсюдження коренеїду.

Changes in the Morphological Characteristics of Potato Plants Attributed to Seasonal Variability

The development of a potato crop differs according to the environmental conditions and growing season of an area. Periods of high temperatures and drought have been frequent in recent years, and this has affected crops worldwide. The effect of meteorological factors on the plant morphology of potato cultivars growing in A Limia was analyzed for three consecutive years. The crop cycle with the highest temperatures and least accumulated rainfall (2016) showed plants with a higher number of leaflets, which were shorter in length. The crop cycle (2014) with a lower temperature and more rainfall had the tallest plants, the highest degree of flowering, fewer pairs of leaflets and the highest length of the floral peduncle. Kennebec and Fontane were the varieties that showed the least variability in morphological characteristics during the seasons analyzed. Considering the meteorological and morphological data, a principal component analysis was carried out, which explained 80.1% of the variance of the data. Spearman rank correlations showed higher significant coefficients between the temperature and foliar characteristics. The leaf size of plants was estimated using a multiple linear regression analysis, which included the mean temperature, explaining 64% of the variability of the data.

A New Micro-Endemic Species of Alectryon (Sapindaceae) from Koghis Forest, New Caledonia

Abstract—The new species Alectryon hirsutus is described from New Caledonia. It is distinguished from the only other member of the genus occurring on this southwest Pacific island, A. carinatus, by its uniformly densely hirsute indumentum (vs. glabrous or with short, appressed trichomes) as well as features of its leaves [(2‐)3‐5 pairs of leaflets vs. 1‐2]) and fruits (9‐16 × 16‐28 mm vs. 5.6‐13 × 5.7‐10.6 mm), along with its presence in dense humid forest (vs. sclerophyllous or lowland dry forest). A preliminary conservation status of Critically Endangered [CR] is suggested following IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Application of morphometric study to discriminate Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn subsp. pinetorum (C. N. Page & R. R. Mill 1995) J. A. Thomson in Poland

Abstract Pteridium aquilinum subsp. pinetorum is one of two morphologically distinct taxa of the genus Pteridium identified in Poland. In order to confirm their distinctively recognizable morphology, nine features defining each of these taxa were subjected to a morphometric analysis. These features, including taxonomic characters of vegetative structures, were measured or counted for their most comprehensive descriptions. The measurements were also expressed as ratios of two characters (length of the first and second pairs of leaflets) to prevent the size of fronds from influencing the results. Unique features of bracken, such as: frond and pinnae shape and orientation; basal pinna structure; ultimate segment of pinnae and pinnula shape and size; frond expansion sequencing; frond lamina texture, shape and pubescence were treated descriptively. Canonical discriminant analysis was employed for a morphometric study of quantitative characters. On their basis, two taxa – P. aquilinum subsp. aquilinum and P. a. subsp. pinetorum were determined.

Standardization of Litchi Leaf Nutrient Composition for Tissue Analysis in Sub Tropics of India

ABSTRACTVariation in leaf nutrient composition with leaf age and position of leaflets was assessed for ‘Calcuttia’ and ‘Dehradun’ litchi cultivars under loam to sandy loam soils of north India. Leaf samples were collected from first to sixth pair of leaflets starting from the apex of terminal shoots to downward positions during December to May at monthly intervals at two locations for three successive years. The leaves were analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn concentrations. In both litchi cultivars, leaf N, P, Zn and Cu contents remained more in young leaves; whereas, leaf Ca, Mg, Mn and Fe contents were observed higher in older leaves. Leaf K concentration exhibited inconsistent patterns; however, leaf K concentration in pair of leaflets on the shoot declined basipetal, being maximum in upper pair of leaflets and minimum in lower pair of leaflets. Levels of macro and micronutrients exhibited a degree of stability at second and third pair of leaflets when sampled during February–March. Leaf compositions differed significantly during active vegetative growth, flowering, and fruit development. The results revealed that 4–5 months old leaves from autumn flush at second and third pair of leaflets from the apex of terminal litchi shoots at the advent of panicle initiation (February–March) should be collected to assess the nutritional concentrations of litchi orchards under North India conditions.

Metabolic alterations in pea leaves during arbuscular mycorrhiza development.

Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) is known to be a mutually beneficial plant-fungal symbiosis; however, the effect of mycorrhization is heavily dependent on multiple biotic and abiotic factors. Therefore, for the proper employment of such plant-fungal symbiotic systems in agriculture, a detailed understanding of the molecular basis of the plant developmental response to mycorrhization is needed. The aim of this work was to uncover the physiological and metabolic alterations in pea (Pisum sativum L.) leaves associated with mycorrhization at key plant developmental stages. Plants of pea cv. Finale were grown in constant environmental conditions under phosphate deficiency. The plants were analyzed at six distinct time points, which corresponded to certain developmental stages of the pea: I: 7 days post inoculation (DPI) when the second leaf is fully unfolded with one pair of leaflets and a simple tendril; II: 21 DPI at first leaf with two pairs of leaflets and a complex tendril; III: 32 DPI when the floral bud is enclosed; IV: 42 DPI at the first open flower; V: 56 DPI when the pod is filled with green seeds; and VI: 90–110 DPI at the dry harvest stage. Inoculation with Rhizophagus irregularis had no effect on the fresh or dry shoot weight, the leaf photochemical activity, accumulation of chlorophyll a, b or carotenoids. However, at stage III (corresponding to the most active phase of mycorrhiza development), the number of internodes between cotyledons and the youngest completely developed leaf was lower in the inoculated plants than in those without inoculation. Moreover, inoculation extended the vegetation period of the host plants, and resulted in increase of the average dry weight per seed at stage VI. The leaf metabolome, as analyzed with GC-MS, included about three hundred distinct metabolites and showed a strong correlation with plant age, and, to a lesser extent, was influenced by mycorrhization. Metabolic shifts influenced the levels of sugars, amino acids and other intermediates of nitrogen and phosphorus metabolism. The use of unsupervised dimension reduction methods showed that (i) at stage II, the metabolite spectra of inoculated plants were similar to those of the control, and (ii) at stages IV and V, the leaf metabolic profiles of inoculated plants shifted towards the profiles of the control plants at earlier developmental stages. At stage IV the inoculated plants exhibited a higher level of metabolism of nitrogen, organic acids, and lipophilic compounds in comparison to control plants. Thus, mycorrhization led to the retardation of plant development, which was also associated with higher seed biomass accumulation in plants with an extended vegetation period. The symbiotic crosstalk between host plant and AM fungi leads to alterations in several biochemical pathways the details of which need to be elucidated in further studies.

A Common But Overlooked New Species in the Hyper-Diverse Genus Inga Mill. from the Northwestern Amazon

Abstract—Inga kursarii is a new species collected in the terra firme forests of the northwestern Amazon, one of the regions with the highest tree species diversity in the world. According to morphological and phylogenetic analyses, the new species is morphologically similar and sister to Inga gracilifolia Ducke, but it can be distinguished by having 5‐6 pairs of caducous leaflets, elliptical leaflets with acute apex and slightly asymmetrical base, spiked inflorescence, subsessile flowers, calyx tube with 4 lobes, tufts of hairs at the apex of calyx lobes, corolla tube with non-reflexed lobes, shorter staminal tubes, and capitate stigma. In addition, analyses of the chemical defensive profile (chemocoding) show that both taxa are chemically different, with I. kursarii having a chemistry based on gallocatechin/epigallocatechin gallates, and I. gracilifolia producing a series of dihydroflavonols. Finally, we present a table with a comparison of diagnostic characters that allows separation of the two species.

Zinc Content and Fruit Quality of Pecan as Affected by Application of Zinc Sulfate

Pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch] is an important nut tree species, and Zn nutrition is critical for its growth and nut production. The aim of this study was to provide a perspective on Zn accumulation in pecan fruit over time and to determine the effects of Zn application on fruit quality. Two concentrations of ZnSO4 (0.4% and 1.6%) were sprayed onto the shuck or the nearest pair of leaflets. Purified water was sprayed similarly as the control. The results show that Zn application to the shuck and leaves increased the Zn concentration and content in embryos. The greater the concentration of the Zn solution sprayed, the greater the Zn concentration in the embryo. The greatest zinc concentration in the embryo was found during the early stage of embryo development. In the treatment during which 1.6% ZnSO4 was sprayed onto the shuck, the Zn concentration in the early embryo was 242.91 mg·kg–1, which was 2.2 times that of the control. Thereafter, embryo Zn concentration decreased gradually until maturity. The treatments could be ranked, from greatest Zn concentration in the mature embryo to least, as follows: 1.6% ZnSO4 on shuck (66.36 mg·kg–1) > 1.6% ZnSO4 on leaflets (64.28 mg·kg–1) > 0.4% ZnSO4 on leaflets (55.51 mg·kg–1) > 0.4% ZnSO4 on shuck (49.67 mg·kg–1) > control (47.34 mg·kg–1). A model was presented that showed Zn was transported from the shuck and leaves to the stalks through the conducting tissue, and then to the embryo through the embryo sac. The application of 0.4% ZnSO4 to the shuck resulted in the greatest oil content (74.05%), which was 10% greater than that in the control. Applications of 0.4% ZnSO4 to the shuck and leaflets resulted in a greater proportion of oleic acid (≈69%) and a lower proportion of linoleic acid (≈20%), palmitic acid (≈6.0%), and linolenic acid (≈1.1%). The results of this preliminary investigation are useful for exploring the mechanism of action for Zn on pecans.

PHARMACOGNOSTIC STANDARDIZATION OF JACARANDA MIMOSIFOLIA LEAVES AND STEM BARK

pharmacognostic standardization is a basic criterion to assure authenticity and quality of any medicinal plant. In the present study micromorphological examinations along with proximate analysis, fluorescence and elemental analysis of Jacaranda mimosifolia leaves and stem bark were carried out. Morphological examination indicated compound, bipinnate and alternately arranged leaves having several pairs of leaflets. The leaflets were oblong ellipsoidal in shape with parallel venation, acute apex and entire margin. The stem bark was concavely curved, greyish brown colored with conical shaped buds on the surface. Microscopic examination of leaves presented dorsiventral lamina, unicellular pointed trichomes, vascular bundle, collenchyma tissues and calcium oxalate crystals while bark indicated cork, stone cells, lignified fibres, calcium oxalate prisms, starch grains and medullary rays. Elemental analysis revealed the presence of aluminum, chlorides and iron in leaves and bark of Jacaranda mimosifolia. The present study will assist as an important source of information in identification and further investigation of this plant.

An outstanding new species of Senna (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae) from southern Puebla, Mexico

Senna acatlanensis is described and illustrated here. This species is restricted to a forest ecotone in southern Puebla (Mexico), and stands out by its unique large asymmetric flowers, with yellow petals that do not fade away to reddish-brown as they dry-out, heteromorphic and variable androecium; with four staminodes, ten or less fertile stamens; by its pendulous, cylindrical fruits, with chartaceous strigillose valves, and inter-seminal septa with a black-pulpy endocarp that surrounds exareolate seeds. These morphological attributes in addition to leaves with two pairs of leaflets, anthers with beaks, gynoecium multi-ovulated, and transversely oriented seed, turned broadside to the septa placed this new species within the series Bacillares. Illustrations, taxonomic comments, distribution and conservation status are provided with a key to the Mexican species of series Bacillares.

SSR-based genetic linkage map construction in pistachio using an interspecific F1 population and QTL analysis for leaf and shoot traits

Pistachio is one of the most commercially important nut trees in the world. To characterize the genetic controls of horticultural traits and facilitate marker-assisted breeding in pistachio, we constructed an SSR-based linkage map using an interspecific F1 population derived from a cross between the cultivar “Siirt” (Pistacia vera L.) and the monoecious Pa-18 genotype of Pistacia atlantica Desf. This population was also used for the first QTL analysis in pistachio on leaf and shoot characters. In total, 1312 SSR primers were screened, and 388 loci were successfully integrated into parental linkage maps. The Siirt maternal map contained 306 markers, while the “Pa-18” paternal map included 285 markers along the 15 linkage groups. The Siirt map spanned 1410.4 cM, with an average marker distance of 4.6 cM; the Pa-18 map covered 1362.5 cM with an average marker distance of 4.8 cM. Phenotypic data were collected during the growing seasons of 2015 and 2016 for four traits: leaf length (LL), leaf width (LW), leaf length/leaf width ratio (LWR), number of leaflet pairs (NLL), and young shoot color (YSC). A total of 17 QTLs were identified in the parental maps. Four QTLs for LL and LW were located on LG2 and LG4, while four QTLs for LWR ratio on LG13 and LG14, two QTLs for NLL and two QTLs for YSC were on LG7 and LG9, respectively, with similar positions in both parental maps. The SSR markers, linkage maps, and QTLs reported here will provide a valuable resource for future molecular and genetic studies in pistachio.

Evaluation of anti-lipoxygenase activity of Cassia fistula linn leaves using in vitro methods

Background: Numerous plants are claimed to possess anti-inflammatory phytoconstituents in folk medicine, however, one among them is Cassia fistula linn leaves. The tree is 6-9 m high with straight trunk and smooth bark. It is pale green when young and gets rough and dark when old. The leaves are 23-30cm long and have got 4-8 pairs of oblong leaflets. Due to lack of specific scientific reports regarding its use for its anti-lipoxygenase property, this particular plant was selected for this particular study with the aim to bring scientific evidence for its therapeutic use.Methods: The anti-lipoxygenase study as carried by using 5-lipoxygenase(5-LOX) assay and 12-lipoxygenase(12-LOX) assay. In both the methods, absorbance of various concentrations of the tests and the control solutions were measured at 234nm.Results: Preliminary phytochemical study showed the presence of flavonoids, glycosides, tannins and phenolics. It was found that both the 5-LOX and 12-LOX were inhibited by the extract with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 6.23mg/ml obtained for the 5-LOX assay and an IC50 of 3.22mg/ml attained for the 12-LOX assay.Conclusions: The methanolic extract of the plant’s leaves showed anti-lipoxygenase activity similar to Indomethacin, thus ensuring that it could be used as an effective anti-inflammatory medicine.

Morphological and Anatomical Properties of the Senna Alexandrina Mill. (Cassia Angustifolia Vahl.)

Abstract It was studied the Senna alexandrina Mill. Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae subfamily, synonym Cassia angustifolia Vahl. that has high pharmaceutical importance. The assessment was done using the plants growth in the research field of Botanical Garden. There were assessed the morphological characteristics and anatomical analysis were done in the stem and leaves. In the Romanian climatic conditions the Senna alexandrina is annual plant with taproot and the size of the stem is 40-70 cm. The leaves are alternate, pinnately compound with 3 to 7 pairs of minor leaflets and small stipules (2-3 mm). The leaflets are 2.5 - 4.5 cm length and 7-10 mm width, lanceolate to ovate in shape, entire blade, glabrous, acute apex, cuneate base, green to yellow-green colour. The flowers are yellow, with the terminal racemes of 10-15 cm length with 7-12 (19) flowers. The flowering starts in July until September. The fruit is a glabrous dehiscent pod, with 4-6 cm length, including 10-17 seeds. In the internal structure of the stem and rachis there are collaterally opened vascular bundles.The leaflets are amphystomatic with paracytic stomata and dorsiventrally mesophyll.

Dahlia tamaulipana (Asteraceae, Coreopsideae), a new species from the Sierra Madre Oriental biogeographic province in Mexico

Dahlia tamaulipana (Asteraceae, Coreopsideae) a new species from Sierra Madre Oriental in Tamaulipas, Mexico, is described. The new species is morphologically similar to D. tubulata, but differs by developing stems evidently hexagonal and villous in the upper portion of the nodes and the base of the petioles, the internodes reach 3–5.5 × 1–1.5 cm, the stipels are present from the first to the third pair of leaflets, the synflorescence develops (1–)15–25 heads, the heads reach 6.5–10 cm wide across the extended rays, and clavate cypsela with crown-shaped pappus. Both species inhabit the northern portion of the Sierra Madre Oriental, however they are not sympatric and do not share ecological preferences and phenological behavior. The description of the new species is accompanied with photographs, a chromosome count, and a distributions map and a key for Dahlia in Sierra Madre Oriental.

FRUIT AND SEED BIOMETRY AND SEEDLING MORPHOLOGY OF Parkia discolor (Spruce ex Benth.)

ABSTRACT Parkia discolor (Spruce ex Benth.) is a species of floodplain forest permanently flooded, mainly used in folk medicine and with economic potential. The purpose of this study was to estimate the biometric characteristics of fruits and seeds of Parkia discolor and describe the morphology and development of its seedlings and young plants. On average, fruits have shown the following dimensions: 18.45 cm long with pedicel, 13.25 cm long without pedicel, 4.4 cm wide and 0.66 cm thick mass of 11.91 g. The seeds have shown 1.73 cm long, 0.68 cm wide and 0.39 cm thick mass of 0.38 g. A thousand seeds mass was estimated to be 361.15 g and the number of seeds per kilogram was 2769. The fruits and seeds of these species are preyed by insects of the families Scolytidae, Nitidulidae, Cerambycidae and Bruchidae. Germination is epigeal - phanerocotylar; the seedling presents hypocotyl herbaceous, sessile cotyledons, based split, eophyll compound, paripinnatus with 1-3 pairs of leaflets, most 2 pairs, with the insertion of a spherical gland leaflets, bright green. The young plant has a woody base with 5 eophylls, alternate and presents between 21-26 pairs of foliolums. The use of plastic bags of 900 cm3 was more proper than using a styrofoam tray with "cell" of 125 cm3 for the development of the plants during the period of three months.

Erythrostemon sousanus (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae), a new species from the Río Papagayo Basin in Guerrero, México

A new legume species, Erythrostemon sousanus, from seasonally dry forest of the Río Papagayo Basin in Guerrero, Mexico is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to E. mexicanus, from which it is distinguished by its glabrous leaves with a greater number of pairs of pinnae (6–11 vs 5–7) and each pinna with more pairs of leaflets (5–7 vs 2–4); by flowers, inflorescences and fruits densely pubescent; and by larger flowers (13–17 vs 12 mm long), fruits (8 × 2 vs 4 × 1.5 cm) and seeds (12 × 9 × 2 vs 9–10 × 7.5 ×1.5 mm).

Gleichenia-like Korallipteris alineae sp. nov. macrofossils (Polypodiophyta) from the Miocene Landslip Hill silcrete, New Zealand

ABSTRACTPartial fossil frond impressions of a Gleichenia-like fern are described and figured from specimens recovered from the early Miocene Landslip Hill silcrete deposit, Gore Lignite Measures, Southland, New Zealand. The fronds are at least bipinnate, with the pinnae (β costae) bearing opposite pairs of ultimate leaflets; ultimate segments opposite to alternate, laterally directed, ovate, slightly recurved, apices rounded obtuse. The sori are solitary per ultimate segment and there are 5–16 sporangial base scars per sorus. However, because of the difficulty of assigning Gleichenia-like partial fronds to genus, or even to Gleicheniaceae, the fossils are assigned to the fossil fern genus Korallipteris as a new species, K. alineae. Comparison with living and Cenozoic Gleichenia-like macrofossils suggests that the fossil shows morphological resemblance to the extant species G. inclusisora and G. microphylla. The macrofossils are discussed in terms of their possible palaeoenvironmental setting, together with abundant, potentially associated dispersed Gleicheniaceae fossil spores recovered from interbedded lignites. Assuming K. alineae is gleicheniaceous, it probably grew as a pioneer coloniser species in a periodically flooded/disturbed open deltaic riverine environment.

Estimating leaf area of warm‐season perennial legumes

AbstractRefining mathematical models may decrease labour and generate accurate estimates of leaf area in warm‐season perennial legumes. The aim of this study was to assess the use of mathematical models to determine the leaf area of four tropical forage legumes. Perennial legumes (Arachis pintoi, Stylosanthes spp., Calopogonium mucunoides and Neonotonia wightii) were collected, and an elliptical model and a corrected elliptical model were used to estimate leaf area. For comparison, linear models were also generated based on the leaflet area. The elliptical model was suitable for the initial forage peanut leaflets, while the corrected elliptical model proved suitable for estimating the area of the initial leaflets of all species as well as the terminal leaflets of forage peanut and stylo. The elliptical model could be used to estimate the area of both the initial and terminal leaflets only in stylo. Models were generated to estimate leaf area of all legumes requiring only the measurement of length and width from a single initial leaflet. In all of the studied legumes, the leaflet pairs were symmetrical, meaning the corrected elliptical model allows for the estimation of the leaflet area of each plant.