Application of Regression Equations for Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Leafarea Measurement

Abstract

Because of the importance of leafarea in light reception, transpiration, photosynthesis , water and nutrient uptake and plant production, this study conducted to determine individual leaf area of eggplant by easy, accurate, inexpensive, and nondestructive methods through measuring leaf length (L) and width (W) and some combinations of both parameters. Different leafs from Jawahr and Inderiana cultivars grown under greenhouse conditions at 2011 fall season. Simple , multiple and exponential regression analyses were used from length (L) and width (W) and its combinations as independent variables with leafarea as dependent variable for determine more accurate models (high coefficient of determination and less MSE) . The results showed that best models that more accurate estimation of eggplant leafarea compare to other models was : Linear regression (LA = 2.001 + 0.593) that depend on leaf LW as independent variable , the multiple linear model (LA = -3.724 + 0.238 L2 + 0.357 W2 ) that depend on leaf L2 with W2 as independent variables and exponential regression model (LA=13.489e0.067(L+W)) that depend on leaf L+ W as independent variable. These models enables the researcher to estimate accurately eggplant leafarea without leaf destruction or using expensive tools.