Measuring the area of cucumber leaves without separation from the plant for mass analysis

Relevance. A mathematical model of the distribution of the leaf area of a cucumber plant has been developed. On this basis, it is possible to determine the area of the leaf surface of the plant without removing them from the plants. By measuring the minimum number of parameters: the length and width of the largest leaf and the number of leaves on the plant. Methods. We determined the area by two methods: using scales and by scanning the leaves in black-and-white image mode. We present here a step-by-step instruction on determining the area of the sheet in both cases: by weighing and by using graphic editor (program) for his scan file. The accuracy of determining the area is ± 2%. Results. We have developed and practically tested a system for mass determination of the area of cucumber leaves. It includes the development of a mathematical model of the distribution of leaf area by plants at the time of accounting. For practical use of the obtained formulas, it is enough to measure only three parameters on each plant: the number of leaves, the length and width of the largest typical leaf. A typicality criterion based on the ratio of the length and width of the sheet was proposed. The model coincides with the actual plant area with a typical distribution of ±5%. This allows two people to account for up to 500 plants in one working day. The proportion of plants with a typical leaf area distribution ranges from 90% at the beginning of the growing season to 80-85% at its end. This allows relatively accurate calculation of the total area in agrotechnical experiments at minimal cost. The leaves of the plant do not receive any impact and continue to grow at the same time. Conclusion. The developed method allows taking into account the area on the same plants repeatedly, at different phases of ontogenesis and in different periods of vegetation.