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Rapid Method for Estimating Leaf Area Per Plant in Maize 1
Author(s) -
Pearce R. B.,
Mock J. J.,
Bailey T. B.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1975.0011183x001500050023x
Subject(s) - biology , leaf area index , zea mays , agronomy , specific leaf area , range (aeronautics) , horticulture , botany , photosynthesis , materials science , composite material
We grew four maize ( Zea mays L.) genotypes, representing a wide range of leaf area/plant, at two plant densities in 1973 to develop a simple, rapid, and nondestructive method for estimating average leaf area/ plant. Immediately after pollen‐shed, we measured lengths and maximum widths of all leaves on all plants in each plot and subsequently calculated individual leaf areas. Individual leaf areas were summed to give total leaf area/plant. Correlations of individual leaf areas with total plant leaf area revealed that leaf #8 (from the top of the plant) was the most highly correlated (r = 0.95). Therefore, the regression of total plant leaf area on area of leaf #8 was computed and the resulting b‐value (9.39 ± 0.04) used as the leaf area factor for estimating average leaf area/plant. Results indicated average leaf area/plant for normal maize plants can be estimated by measuring length and maximum width of leaf #8 on several competitive plants/ plot, calculating area of leaf jS, and multiplying that leaf area by 9.39. Genotype means can often be obtained across replications by measuring only one plant/plot. This method is rapid, nondestructive, and should allow estimation of leaf area of more genotypes and/or experimental treatments/experiment than is currently feasible with conventional techniques.