Indirect method for measurement of leaf area and leaf area index of soilless cucumber crop

Abstract

The plant parameters such as leaf area (LA) or leaf area index (LAI) play an important role in understanding photosynthesis, light interception, water and nutrient use and crop growth. A better understanding of the relationships between crop development and environment is thus important. Both LA and LAI can be measured directly by using digital meters (destructive methods) or indirectly using developed regression techniques (non-destructive methods). In the present study, non-destructive methods (regression equations) were developed for estimation of LA and LAI separately. The developed regression equations were used to estimate LA and LAI. Both LA and LAI predictions presented a high precision and accuracy. The developed non-destructive methods for estimation of LA and LAI were found functional for cucumber crop with a significant saving in energy and time.