Allometric model for estimating leaf area of ora-pro-nobis genotypes

ABSTRACT The planting of unconventional vegetables has increased in Brazil. This is mainly due to the demand of nutritionally rich foods grown in sustainable crops. In this scenario, ora-pro-nobis stands out, as, although being part of the meal of large part of the Brazilian population, it has been cultivated despite the lack of scientific knowledge. Thus, this study aimed to adjust a leaf area estimation model for ora-pro-nobis, using the measurements of the leaves. For the model adjustment and validation, 4000 leaves were collected in four different genotypes, being 1000 in each of them. The regression models were adjusted using 2000 independent and random observations, using 500 leaves per genotype. Thus, the observed leaf area was studied as a linear function of the dimensions of the leaf blade: length (L), width (W) and product (LW). The remaining 2000 observations, also 500 per separate genotype, were used only in the statistical validation study. The adjusted allometric model based on the product (LW) proved to be precise and accurate for estimating the leaf area of ora-pro-nobis, being applicable to any of the four genotypes analyzed regardless of the leaf size: L A ^ L W = 0.9294 + 0.6815 x L W.