Equations to estimate leaf area of Acrocomia aculeta leaflets

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop an empirical statistical model to estimate leaf surface by a non-destructive method of leaflets in young and mature plants palm macaúba. Eight leaflets per leaf, four on each side and two leaves per plant on opposite sides, total 16 leaves were collected from each of five plants per growth stage (juvenile and adult) were collected. Thus obtaining a total of 80 leaflets for each phenological stage. Individually each leaflet had its area (LA), length (L) and width (W) measured. Linear models with and without the intercept, and a potential model were tested using the independent variables W, L and combined (WL). Equations with coefficient of determination less than 0.90, were discarded and the combined use of the WL variable resulted in greater accuracy and better distribution of residuals, by employing the functional relationship y = β0x^β1. Thus, the area of leaflets macaúba can be estimated by LA = 0.4683WL^1,1104equation.