Prediction of Leaf Area in Individual Leaves of Cherrybark Oak Seedlings ( Quercus pagoda Raf . )

The prediction of leaf area for cherrybark oak (eerm pagoda Raf.) seedlings is important for studying the physiology of the species. Linear and polynomial models involving leaf length, width, fresh weight, dry weight, and internodal length were tested independently and collectively to predict leaf area. Twenty-nine cherrybark oak seedlings were grown in a greenhouse for one growing season and a total of 468 leaves were collected. Leaf area was polynomially related with leaf length or width, but linearly related with the cross product of length and width. Average leaf area for flush 3 was significantly greater than those of other flushes. However, variation in leaf area among flushes did not affect the models. Relationship between leaf area and length (or width) was consistent. Since leaf length is easy to measure and does not require destruction of leaves, it can be effectively used to predict leaf area in cherrybark oak seedlings.