Non-destructive model to estimate the leaf area of multiple Vochysiaceae species

Abstract

Leaf area (LA) is commonly used to evaluate plant traits such as leaf development and plant growth, which depend on sunlight interception. However, methods for obtaining LA are destructive and require many leaf samples that might not be available. The use of linear equations to estimate LA without destructive procedures has been successfully used in crops and weeds studied in the field and in potted-plant experiments. In the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado), many studies still depend on destructive leaf sampling because equations would be specific for each species. We developed a non-destructive model to estimate LA of five Vochysiaceae species from the cerrado, as this family exclusively comprised Al-accumulating species. In this study, LA versus leaf length (L) and leaf width (W) was regressed, and the best-fitted model (LA = −2.133 + 0.719 LW, R2 = 0.99) was validated to estimate LA in Qualea cordata Spreng., Qualea grandiflora Mart., Salvertia convallariodora A. St.-Hil., Vochysia cinnamomea Pohl., and Vochysia tucanorum Mart. with precise accuracy. This model may help scientists with distinct interests in plants from this family.