Non-destructive equations to estimate the leaf area of Styrax pohlii and Styrax ferrugineus/ Equacoes lineares para estimativa de area foliar de Styrax pohlii e Styrax ferrugineus

The researchers developed linear equations to predict the leaf area (LA) of the species Styrax pohlii and Styrax ferrugineus using the width (W) and length (L) leaf dimensions. For both species the linear regression (Y=α+bX) using LA as a dependent variable vs. W x L as an independent variable was more efficient than linear regressions using L, W, L^sup 2^ and W^sup 2^ as independent variables. Therefore, the LA of S. pohlii can be estimated with the equation LA=0.582+0.683WL, while the LA of S. ferrugineus follows the equation LA=-0.666+0.704WL.