A SIMPLE AND LOW-COST METHOD FOR LEAF-AREA MEASUREMENT OF DETACHED LEAVES

A technique for leaf area measurement utilizing water spray as an inex pensive substitute for electronic equipment was developed and tested w ith leaves of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). The leaf areas measured b y the spray method were highly correlated with those measured by an el ectronic area meter. Measurements of leaf area obtained by the spray m ethod were significantly more highly correlated with those obtained by the area meter than were the measurements of dry weights. The main ad vantages of the new method are precision, accuracy and immediate resul ts at a low cost.