LEAF-AREA ESTIMATION IN SEEDLINGS OF MANGABA (HANCORNIA-SPECIOSA GOM)

Relationship studies were done between leaf area and linear measurements on leaves of ''mangaba'' seedlings, grown in two kinds of nursery conditions: in an open field nursery (100% of natural light) and in an woven nylon covered lathhouse (50% of natural light). Two seedlings from each nursery were picked at random to be evaluated at 5 week intervals, for 40 weeks. Petioleless leaves were numbered and their length (C) and maximum width (L) were measured with a milimetrical ruler. Individual leaf area (AF) were measured in an area meter Hayashi Denko, Model AAM-7. Relationships were analyzed through regressions. Lighting differences between nurseries did not affect any evaluated leaf traits. Therefore, only one equation for each leaf trait was determined to estimate leaf area: AF = 0,66 + 0,11 C + 0,32 C2, AF = 1,44 - 1,74 L + 1,97 L2 and AF = 0,76 C x L. The linear equation AF = 0,76 C x L provided the best fit (R2=0,989) for estimating rapidly and precisely foliar areas in mangaba seedlings.