Estimation of leaf area and plant leaf area in vegetative Pennisetum purpureum

Abstract

Four vegetative elephant grass cultivars (Pennisetum purpureum (L.) Schum.) covering a range of leaf shapes and two plant ages were used to compare leaf area formulae and to determine which leaf was the best determinant of total tiller leaf area. The relationship A= K x L x W determined leaf area more accurately than A=K x L (where A=area, L=lamina length, W=maximum width and K = leaf area constant). K differed between cultivars and plant age. In young plants the first leaf and in older plants the third leaf below the topmost leaf with visible ligule was the best determinant of total tiller leaf area. The leaf area factor for these leaves differed with cultivar.