Abstract
The leaves are variously shaped in Jojoba seedlings and may be broadly categorized into two types. The leaves produced on the lower node (s) are generally smaller with obtuse apex in contrast to the commonly occurring leaves of upper nodes which are comparatively larger with acute apex. Of 115 leaves studied from 12 seedlings there were 85 acute apex and 30 were obtuse apex leaves (ratio: 2.83: 1). The graphically measured one-sided leaf area (LAM) of 115 individual leaves of Simmondsia chinensis (Link.) C.E. Schneider varied from 0.13 –11.57cm2 (mean = 4.11 ± 0.237 cm2 ; CV = 56.68%). The leaf area (LAM) was found to correlate significantly with multiplicative parameter of leaf length and breadth (LL x LB) as simple linear model (R2 = 0.963, F= 2982.04 (p < 0.0001) as well as the power model (R2 = 0.982; F = 6246.31(p < 0.0001). Leaf area also correlated significantly with LL and LB linearly combined in a multiple linear correlation / regression model (R2 = 0.958; F = 136.0 (p < 0.0001). The coefficient k estimated arithmetically as k = Area measured / (LL x LB) averaged to 0.64713 ± 0.00823 (CV = 13.64%). On statistical comparison, the estimated leaf areas on the basis of above models were not found to vary significantly from the measured areas of the leaves (LAM) and therefore, may be used for leaf area estimation in Jojoba. However, in view of simplicity and convenience and accuracy of estimates, the method of using average k factor may be recommended for the estimation of leaf area in Jojoba. The magnitude of k averaged to 0.65879 ± 0.00717 in case of acute apex leaves, 0.61425 ± 0.02342 for obtuse apex leaves and 0.64713 ± 0.008229 for the pooled sample of the two types of the leaves.
