Evaluation of reflectance spectroscopy indices for estimation of chlorophyll content in leaves of a tropical tree species

The effectiveness of eight spectral reflectance indices for estimating chlorophyll (Chl) content in leaves of Eugenia uniflora L., a tropical tree species widely distributed throughout the world and a key species for ecosystem restoration projects, was evaluated. Spectral reflectance indices were tested using sun and shade leaves with a broad variation in leaf mass per area (LMA). Shortly after plants were exposed to chilling temperatures, there was a dramatic visible change in some sun leaves from green to red. Prior to testing Chl-related reflectance indices, the green and red leaves were separated according to the anthocyanin reflectance index (ARI). Slightly green to dark green leaves corresponded to an ARI value less than 0.11 ( n = 107), whereas slightly red to red leaves corresponded to an ARI value greater than 0.11 ( n = 35). To estimate leaf Chl, two simple reflectance indices (SR 680 and SR 705 ), two normalized difference indices (ND 680 and ND 705 ), two modified reflectance indices (mSR 705 and mND705), a modified Chl absorption ratio index (mCARI 705 ) and an index insensitive to the presence of anthocyanins (CI re ) were evaluated. Good estimates of leaf Chl content were obtained using the reflectance indices tested regardless of the presence of anthocyanins and changes in LMA. Based on the coefficients of determination ( r 2 ) and the root mean square errors (RMSɛ c ) the best results were obtained with reflectance indices measured at wavelengths of 750 and 705 nm. Considering the performance of the models the best reflectance indices to estimate Chl contents in E. uniflora leaves with a broad variation in LMA and anthocyanin contents was SR 705 and mCARI 705 .