Leaf area estimation of squash ‘brasileirinha’ by leaf dimensions

Abstract

The objectives of this work were estimate the leaf area of squash ‘Brasileirinha’ by linear dimensions of the leaves and check models available in the literature. An experiment was conducted in the 2015/16 sowing season. Were collected 500 leaves and in each one, were measured the length (L), width (W) and length×width product (LW) and determined the real leaf area (LA). Then, 400 leaves were separated to generate models of the leaf area (LA) as a function of linear dimension (L, W or LW) of squash. The remaining 100 leaves were used for the validation of models. A second experiment was conducted in the 2016/17 sowing season. Were collected 250 leaves, used only for the validation of the models of the first experiment. There is collinearity between L and W and, therefore, models using the LW product are not recommended. The model LA=0.5482W2 + 0.0680W (R²=0.9867) is adequate for leaf area estimation of squash ‘Brasileirinha’.