Allometric Method to Estimate Leaf Area Index for Row Crops

Core Ideas A new allometric method was developed to estimate LAI for row crops. Good agreement resulted for four crops over multiple seasons. Best agreement resulted using GDD, plant population, and canopy height. Leaf area index (LAI) is critical for predicting plant metabolism, biomass production, evapotranspiration, and greenhouse gas sequestration, but direct LAI measurements are difficult and labor intensive. Several methods are available...