Non-destructive estimation of leaf area in (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii H. Bolus).

The empirical relationship between leaf area and leaf dimensions was investigated by many authors in several crops because simple and accurate models eliminate the need for expensive measuring devices (e.g. digital planimeter) and time consuming destructive measurements. In this research, two empirical models were developed and tested for non-destructive determination of leaf area of two important greenhouse crops, tomato and gerbera, as a function of leaf length and width. The model for tomato was validated in different cultivars (Jama, Naomi and Daniela). In both crops the most accurate regression equation (R² = 0.884 and RMSE = 35.02, in tomato; R² = 0.910 and RMSE = 14.71, in gerbera) included maximum length and width. The correlation coefficient between predicted and measured leaf area was highly significant.