The objective of this work was build a model to estimate leaf area of forage turnips (Raphanus sativus L. var. oleiferus Metzg) determined by digital photos with the length or width and/or the product length×width of the leaf. Seventy-six days after sowing of forage turnip, 557 leaves were collected in the main stem of 92 plants. The length (C) and width (L) of each leaf were measured and the product length × width (C×L) calculated. The leaf area (Y) was determined by the method of digital photos. From the total of leaves, 450 leaves were randomly separated to build models of the types quadratic, potency and linear with Y as function of C, L and/or C×L. 107 leaves were used for model validation. The potency model of the leaf area obtained by the method of digital photos (Ŷ=0.6843x0.9221, R²=0.9862) based on the product length × width is adequate to estimate the leaf area in forage turnip.
Raphanus sativus L. var. oleiferus Metzg; digital photos; modeling; non destructive method
