Prediction of leaf area in ramie [Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud.] by non-destructive method

Rapid, non-destructive and accurate measurement of leaf area for agronomic and physiological studies is important. There is little information available in this regard for ramie [Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud.]. The purpose of this study was to develop prediction equations for estimating leaf area of Indian ramie cultivars. Prediction equations were derived from independent variables involving maximum leaf length squared (L²), maximum leaf breadth squared (B²) and product of length and breadth (L.B) for different ramie cultivars, viz. R 1411, R 1412, R 1449, R 1452, R 67–34 and RH - 1. In all the cases, independent variable L.B gave best-fitted prediction equations (coefficient of determination, R² = 0.9941 – 0.9754). But to save valuable time of researcher in the measurement of leaf parameters, only breadth (B) measurement gave sufficiently high predictability of leaf area (R²= 0.9824 – 0.9176) for all important Indian ramie cultivars.