Non-destructive leaf area estimation of Fig (Ficus carica L.) cv. Iraqi grown in different root zone spatial limitation and controlled porosity level under greenhouse condition

Abstract

Abstract Leaf area (LA) is associated with many agronomic and physiological processes including growth, photosynthesis, transpiration, photon interception, energy balance and yield potential of the plant. Accurate, rapid and non-destructive leaf area estimation is a useful subject of study for the fields of applied plant science especially with potted plants. However, till date there is lack of information available on Fig (Ficus carica L.) cv. Iraqi grown in containers under different root zone spatial limitation and controlled porosity level. Thus, this study aims to determine the effect of both factors on leaf area of the crop. Determining the individual LA of F. carica cv. Iraqi involves measurements of leaf parameters such as length (L) and width (W), or some combinations of these parameters. The widest part of the foliage was taken as leaf width (W) and leaf length (L) was defined as the distance between the two furthest points (from lamina tip to the point of petiole intersection along the midrib) of the foliage. The length (L) and width (W) of each leaf will be measured by using a leaf area meter having a sensor and read-out unit which calibrated to 0.01 cm 2. There is significant interaction was observed for each treatment. It can be concluded that application of the right root zone and porosity level gave positive effect on leaf area of F. carica cv. Iraqi grown under greenhouse condition.