Abstract
Aims: Simple, accurate, and non destructive methods of determining leaf area of plants are important for many experimental comparisons. The objectives of this study were to establish equations to estimate the leaf area of greenhouse-melon and non destructive leaf area determination by using this model and to evaluate the effects of five calcium rates (0, 5, 10, 20 ve 30 kg/da), and three irrigation water level (full, 25 and 50% restricted) on this estimates.
Methods and Results: For this reason, a total of 30 leaves for each treatments (totally 1350 leaves) were collected and the wide (W) and length (L) of the leaves were measured with digital compass and leaf areas (LA) were measured with digital planimeter. The relationships among W, L and LA of leaves were invested graphically by using MS-Excel 2010 (Microsoft Inc.). The mathematical model estimated with measured leaf parameters were derived from Unscrambler software (Versiyon 9.7, Camo Software, Norway) MLR (Multiple Linear Regression). Full Cross Validation statistical method was used for the validating of the models. The RMSEP (Root Mean Square Error of Prediction) and R2 values were used for comparison of the models. Mean leaf area values were decreased by restricted irrigation amount treatment. In the experiment, the best pepper leaf area estimating model was determined as LA (cm2) = 0.3375 * (W2 + L2) - 0.3539 (RMSEP = 15.76 ve R2 = 0.97).
Conclusions: With this model, estimating melon leaf area and leaf area index (LAI) values would be done without the use of expensive instruments and destructing the leaves of the plant. It is also possible to carry out the measurements on the same leaves throughout the growing period.
Significance and Impact of the Study: With this study, it is aimed to result in leaf melon measurements in a shorter time and with less errors thanks to a simple software that we can install on the computer. With the help of the model developed of the data obtained, it will be especially useful for scientists who conduct research in calculating the total leaf area used in physiological, morphological and other studies on melon. It will be possible to create a model among other plants by using this study and similar methods.