Allometric models for non-destructive estimation of leaf area of abieiro (Pouteria caimito)

Authors

  • Patrycia Elen Costa Amorim Department of Agronomic and Forestry Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8172-083X
  • Agda Malany Forte de Oliveira Graduate Program in Agricultural Sciences, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Campina Grande, PB, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1828-1088
  • Jéssica dos Santos Almeida Graduate Program in Plant Production, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, Marechal Cândido Rondon, PR, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5348-8711
  • Valdir Cezar Serra Gomes Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2249-9169
  • Thiago dos Reis Department of Agronomic and Forestry Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN, Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6370-0150
  • José Ribamar Gusmão Araujo Department of Phytotechnics and Plant Health, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1430-9717
  • Moisés Rodrigues Martins Department of Phytotechnics and Plant Health, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7567-7505
  • João Everthon da Silva Ribeiro Center for Agricultural, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas, BA, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1937-0066

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252026v3915230rc

Keywords:

Sapotaceae. Abieiro. Biometry. Leaf sizing. Regression models.

Abstract

Abieiro (Pouteria caimito) is an essential native fruit tree of the Amazon, with several bioactive compounds beneficial to health. Estimating leaf area is crucial for evaluating the growth, development, and productivity of P. caimito plants. Therefore, this work aimed to develop regression models to construct allometric equations that accurately and non-destructively estimate P. caimito leaf area. We collected 222 leaves of diverse sizes and shapes from parent trees in São Luís, MA, Brazil, to determine maximum length (L), maximum width (W), and leaf area (LA). We fitted linear, power, and exponential regression models using single dimensions and products (LW, LL, WW) and evaluated them with multi-criteria statistical diagnostics. Models using LW yielded the best leaf area estimates, with ŷ = 0.50 + 0.65 * LW (linear model) and ŷ = 0.76 * LW0.97 (power model) being the most suitable and accurate. Thus, these allometric equations provide a non-destructive, accurate, and low-cost method for estimating P. caimito leaf area.

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Published

04-11-2026

Issue

Vol. 39 (2026)

Section

Scientific Article

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