A simple and accurate model for the non-destructive estimation of leaf areas in genotypes of Plumeria rubra L.

SummaryLeaf area (LA) is an important parameter in many plant modelling studies.There is a need for a simple, accurate and non-destructive model to predict LA in physiological experiments in which destructive LA sampling is not allowed (e.g., rare plants or genetically segregating populations). In this study, a model for LA estimation was developed for Plumeria rubra L. using simple linear measurements of leaf length (L) and maximum width (W). Two experiments were carried out, one in 2012 (on seven commercial genotypes: ‘California Sunset’, ‘Christina’, ‘Elsie’, ‘Gina’, ‘J.J. Mini White’, ‘Panittas Red’, and ‘Pixie Dust’) and one in 2013 (on one genotype ‘Divine’) under greenhouse conditions, to test whether a model could be developed to estimate LAs of P. rubra across genotypes. Regression analysis of LA vs. L and/or W revealed several models that could be used to estimate the area of individual Plumeria leaves.To develop a model to estimate individual LA values accurately for all genotypes of P. rubra, ...