Leaf Area Estimation in Chamomile

The knowledge of the variables specific leaf area and leaf area index is important for direct or indirect quantification of plant growth, development and yield. However, there is a lack of these information due to the difficulty in measuring the leaf area of chamomile. Measuring leaf area by direct methods, such as the use of leaf area integrator is a very laborious and time consuming activity because the plant has many leaves and with small size. The use of leaf dry matter is a promising variable for the leaf area estimation. As an important measure to evaluate plant growth, the present study aimed to obtain a model for chamomile leaf area estimation through leaf dry matter. The experiment was conducted in two sowing dates (March 18 and June 30, 2017) at different plant densities (66, 33, 22, 16, 13, 11 and 8 plants m-2). The leaves of chamomile plants were collected in the plant vegetative and reproductive phases. The leaf area determination was performed using the electronic integration method of leaf area. The specific leaf area was 133 cm2 g-1, with no differences between sowing dates, plant densities and phenological phases of plant collection. The leaf area measured with the electronic leaf area integrator exhibited high correlation with chamomile leaf dry matter and the resulting model of leaf area data by the integrator presented optimum performance. This model is indicated for leaf area determination of chamomile when there is availability of leaf dry matter data.