1Dr A.S. Shende College of Agriculture Engineering, MPKV, Rahuri, 413 722
National Research Centre on Pomegranate, National Highway 9, Bypass, Shelgi, Solapur, 413 006, Maharashtra
*Corresponding author's E-mail: gomesh1970@rediffmail.com
Online published on 21 July, 2012.
Non-destructive and mathematical approach for modeling can be very convenient and useful for plant growth estimation. In this research, a model for predicting the leaf area was developed for pomegranate cv. Bhagwa by measuring the lamina width, length and leaf area. Multiple regression analysis for the pomegranate leaf area was performed. The proposed leaf area (LA) prediction model is: LA = -0.0477 + 0.0282*L + 0.0842*W + 0.965*L*W; R2 = 0.999, LA is leaf area, W is leaf width and L is leaf length. The model was validated by measuring leaf samples of pomegranate trees. The aim of this research was to develop a simple, accurate and non-destructive predictive model for leaf area (LA) estimation of pomegranate trees. The developed model can estimate pomegranate leaf area without the use of expensive instruments and destructing the leaves with 94% accuracy.
Pomegranate, leaf area, stepwise regression analysis, model, validation
