Estimativa da área foliar de seringueira usando o método das dimensões

Abstract

The rubber tree leaf area is the real measure of its photosynthesis potential and consequently latex production. This study aimed to adapt for rubber tree, a method for leaf area evaluation. For further characterization was made a subdivision of the leaf stages of rubber tree in: B2.,1; B2.2; B2.3; B2.4; C1; C2; C3 and D. The stages A and B1 were not accepted as they did not present leaf apparent surface. For each used understage it was determined a shape factor (“f”), through regression analyses between the values of the product length by width of leaves (L x W) and the measured area by the photocopies method (real area). Afterwards, another regression, between the values of the estimated area (L x W x f) and the values of the real area (photocopy), was done to test the reliability and the accuracy of “f” factor in the leaf area evaluation. Factors were determined for each understaged separately and, in the end, an only factor was determined, no matter what understaged and proportions these understaged could be in the plant. We can estimate the rubber tree leaf area, from mensuring the dimensions of its leaves, using only a correction factor without sacrificing accuracy.