Rapid determination of leaf chlorophyll concentration, photosynthetic activity and NK concentration of Elaies guineensis via correlated SPAD-502 chlorophyll index

Abstract

Determination of chlorophyll contents often requires destructives analysis and involves lengthy procedures while measurement on photosynthetic rate requires specialized equipment that often limits extensive in-field application. SPAD chlorophyll meter gives indirect measurement of leaf chlorophyll contents in a rapid, non-destructive and convenient manner. The use of SPAD meter for each individual plant species require calibration curve for each individual plant species, as the accuracy of the estimation are highly affected by the leaf anatomical characteristics. This study reports the result of correlating SPAD-502 chlorophyll index readings to the actual extracted chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate of oil palm leaf as well as the leaf nitrogen and potassium concentration. Concentration of oil palm leaf nitrogen and chlorophyll pigment as well as photosynthetic rate were highly correlated to SPAD-502 chlorophyll index with R2 of above 0.80. With good calibration equation, the SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter are extremely versatile for rapid determination of oil palm leaf nitrogen and chlorophyll concentration as well as photosynthetic rate.