Abstract
A non destructive method using Plant Canopy Analyzer(LAI-2000, LI-COR, Inc.)was applied to estimate a leaf area index(LAI)for mature tea(Camellia sinensis L.)bushes. The LAI estimated by PCA showed a positive correlation(n=51, r=0.951, p<0.0001)with the orthodox stratified clip method using a leaf area meter. A bias was observed, however, with PCA, since an LAI value of 3 was noted with no leaf. The positive LAI observed in the absence of leaves suggests that the PCA method may sense a branch ares as a leaf area. Thus the estimation of LAI using PCA dose not seem appropriate. When the same methodology was applied for total weight of a bush, a better correlation was found with PCA(n=51, r=0.973, p<0.0001)than LAI. Thus the PCA appears to be a method of choice for measuring the total weight of a tea bush.
