Abstract
In a two-year experiment (2002–2003), five N application rates [0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 kg(N) ha−1, marked N0, N60, N120, N180, and N240, respectively] were applied to sugar beet cv. Rizor arranged in a Randomized Complete Block design with six replications. Leaf shape parameters [leaf area (LA), maximum length (L), maximum width (W), average radial (AR), elongation (EL), and shape factor (SF)] were determined using an image analysis system, and leaf area index (LAI) was non-destructively measured every two weeks, from early August till mid-September (four times). Years, samplings, and their interaction had significant effects on the determined parameters. Fertilization at the highest dose (N240) increased L and sampling×fertilization interaction had significant effects on LA, L, W, and SF. For this interaction, W was the best-correlated parameter with LA and LAI meaning that W is a good predictor of these parameters. Two proposed models for LA estimation were tested. The model based on both leaf dimensions [LA = 0.5083 (L×W) + 31.928] predicted LA better than that using only W (LA = 21.686 W − 112.88). Instrumentally measured LAI was highly correlated with predicted LAI values derived from a quadratic function [LAI = −0.00001 (LA)2 + 0.0327 LA − 2.0413]. Thus, both LA and LAI can be reliably predicted non-destructively by using easily applied functions based on leaf dimensions (L, W) and LA estimations, respectively.
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Abbreviations
- ANOVA:
-
analysis of variance
- AV:
-
average radial
- CEC:
-
cation exchange capacity
- CV:
-
coefficient of variation
- EC:
-
electrical conductivity
- EL:
-
elongation
- L:
-
maximum length
- LA:
-
leaf area
- LAI:
-
leaf area index
- LSD:
-
least significant difference
- SF:
-
shape factor
- W:
-
maximum width
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Tsialtas, J.T., Maslaris, N. Nitrogen fertilization effects on leaf morphology and evaluation of leaf area and leaf area index prediction models in sugar beet. Photosynthetica 46, 346–350 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-008-0063-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-008-0063-3