An investigation on the utility of the sunscan ceptometer in estimating the leaf area index of a sugarcane canopy

Abstract

The usefulness of the SunScan ceptometer in estimating the leaf area index (LAI) of a sugarcane crop canopy was investigated. This was determined by making LAI measurements with the instrument at selected points in the field, followed by destructive sampling at the same points. The two sets of data were then compared. Measurements of LAI were also taken at one point of the field at various times of day in order to determine the effect of time of sampling on the results. The SunScan ceptometer gave LAI estimates which were 95%±2% of the value that was obtained by destructive sampling. It thus appears to be useful in measuring LAI in a sugarcane crop. Measurements of LAI at different times of day showed that the best results are obtained around solar noon.