A simple method for large scale estimation of leaf chlorophyll content in Hevea brasiliensis using a chlorophyll meter

Abstract

Measurement of chlorophyll content of leaves by the conventional laboratory method involves discriminate sampling. weighing. extraction and spectrophotometric measurements that become laborious and time consuming especially when large number of samples is processed at a time. Nowadays, hand-held chlorophyll content meters are widely used for rapid and non-destructive estimation of chlorophyll content. Chlorophyll content in Hevea leaves was estimated spectrophotometrically by conventional extraction method and CCI values (chlorophyll content index) were recorded using a chlorophyll content meter, CCM - 200 (Opti-Sciences, USA) and regression models were developed. Significant positive linear relations between CCI and actual leaf chlorophyll content estimated by conventional extraction method were obtained. Separate equations were derived for determining chlorophyll content on unit fresh weight basis and unit leaf area basis. The method provides a rapid, accurate and non-destructive estimation of chlorophyll content of large number of leaves making the measurements simple and easy compared to conventional spectrophotometric assay.