Allometric models for estimating the leaf area of lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) using a non-destructive method

ABSTRACT Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) is a cut flower grown due to the wide diversity of colors and longevity in the post-harvest. The leaf area measurement is fundamental in plants because the leaves are directly related to several processes such as transpiration, radiation interception and CO2 fixation that enable the plant to grow. The objective of the work was to determine an allometric equation for estimating the leaf area of lisianthus from linear dimensions. 200 leaves were collected and the leaf length (L), leaf width (W), product between length and width (LW) and real leaf area (LA) were measured. The criteria for determining the best model were the highest determination coefficient (R2), Willmott's concordance index (d), lowest Akaike information criterion (AIC), root mean square error (RMSE) and BIAS index closest to zero. The most suitable model for estimating the leaf area of lisianthus is the linear ŷ = 1.387*LW.