Comparison of Five Methods for Estimating Leaf Area Index of Open-Grown Deciduous Trees

Abstract

We compared the accuracy of five methods used to estimate leaf area index (LAI) of eight open-grown deciduous trees, including six white mulberries (Moms alba) and two black cherries (Prunus serotina var. rufula). The methods included the use of four instruments (AccuPAR Ceptometer, CI-100 Plant Canopy Analyzer, image processing with the AgVision System, LI-COR LAI-2000 Plant Canopy Analyzer) and the application of a logarithmic regression equation. The image processing method demonstrated the highest probability of accurately estimating LAI (P = 0.99). However, all methods showed bias toward returning LAI estimates that did not increase as actual LAI increased when the mulberry tree data were examined separately from the cherry data. Additional research is necessary to determine whether this bias is real or merely a function of the limited sample size.