Leaf blade area estimate of Digitaria pentzii under different cutting Heights

Abstract

<jats:p>Abstract Pasture studies require information on leaf area, as it is one of the main parameters for evaluation of plant growth. Thus, the objective of this study was to estimate the leaf blade area of pangolão grass (Digitaria pentzii Stent.) using non-destructive methods by regression model analysis. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks, with three cutting heights (10, 15, and 20 cm) and four replications. Three hundred leaf blades of pangolão grass were randomly collected, and their respective lengths (L) and widths (W) determined using a digital caliper. The leaf blade area of pangolão grass was estimated by the gravimetric method, using linear and power regression models to explain the leaf blade area as a function of the product of L and maximum W. The real leaf blade area presented an average value of 18.64 cm2, ranging from 4.29 to 45.95 cm2. The leaf blade area of pangolão grass, regardless of cutting height, was estimated with greater accuracy by the power model. The power model, Ŷ=LW1.007, can be used to estimate the leaf blade area of pangolão grass based on leaf blade L and W values.</jats:p>

Biostimulant use in pangolão grass Digitaria pentzii subjected to saline stress

“…Leaf area was determined in a non-destructive way, based on the linear dimensions of length (distance between the ligule and the leaf apex) and width (measured in the middle region of the oldest fully expanded leaf) of the leaf blade, according to Eq. 1 (Bezerra et al, 2020):…”

“…Pangolão grass (Digitaria pentzii) has been used in animal feed in the Brazilian semi-arid region (Bezerra et al, 2020) because of its adaptation to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the region, high quali-quantitative potential of forage production (Coêlho et al, 2021;Menor et al, 2022), and high acceptability. However, there are no studies on the tolerance of pangolão grass to saline stress, which is one of the main challenges in its management under low quality irrigation water.…”