Non-destructive Estimation of Leaf Area in Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) Using Plant Height and Canopy Width: A Comparative Evaluation of Four Regression Models
Regression analysis reveals multiple linear modeling of height and canopy width accurately estimates leaf area in sainfoin, highlighting a rapid non-destructive monitoring method.
Key Points
To compare four regression models (linear, logarithmic, polynomial, and multiple linear regression) for non-destructively estimating sainfoin leaf area from plant height and canopy width.
Evaluated 90 sainfoin plants at the flowering stage under controlled environmental conditions.
Measured plant height and canopy width manually, and determined true leaf area using a LI-COR LI-3100C Leaf Area Meter.
Constructed and compared linear, logarithmic, polynomial, and multiple linear regression models using SPSS software.
The multiple linear regression model achieved the highest predictive accuracy (R² = 0.981) by integrating both plant height and canopy width.
Single-predictor regression models exhibited substantially poorer predictive performance, including polynomial (R² = 0.413), linear (R² = 0.399), and logarithmic (R² = 0.361) formulations.