Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Empirical models for leaf area estimation based on leaf physical parameters in rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), pulasan (Nephelium mutabile), carambola (Averrhoa carambola) and limau madu (Citrus suhuiensis) grown in Peninsular Malaysia

Author(s):

A. Selamat ^{1, 2}, M. Dayao ¹, M. A. Hakim ^{3, 4}*, A. A. Zulkeefli ¹

Recieved Date: 2012-05-11, Accepted Date: 2012-09-22

Abstract:

Empirical mathematical model is one of the cheapest means in estimating leaf area as compared to the use of sophisticated and expensive leaf area meters.  The objectives of this paper were to develop a reliable mathematical model(s) for estimating leaf area from leaf parameters [length, width, dimension (length x width), or weight] of selected four Malaysian fruits, namely, rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), pulasan (Nephelium mutabile), carambola (Averrhoa carambola), and limau madu (Citrus suhuiensis); and comparatively relating the models to leaf size and thickness. Area of each of 500 randomly selected leaves (young to old leaves)  from each species grown in Farm 10, Universiti Putra Malaysia,  were regressed with above leaf parameters based on the selected 14 mathematical models. With subsequent validations, the linear (Y = a + bX) and power or ‘exponential’ (Y = e^a. x^b = Ax^b) forms that based on the length x width (X : mm²)  were found to be the best two models for estimating the leaf area (Y : cm²) for each fruit species. Larger leaves (rambutan and pulasan) had higher R² values than those of smaller sizes (carambola and limau madu). Based on the power model coefficients (allometry), the relative growth of leaf area was higher than that of length x width in species with relatively large leaves. It seemed that leaf thickness had no clear trend in describing the above linear and power models. 

Keywords:

Empirical models, leaf area estimation, fruits, Malaysia

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2012
Volume: 10
Issue: 3&4
Category: Agriculture
Pages: 281-286

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