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Relationship between light interception, ground cover and leaf area index in potatoes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

D. M. Firman
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Biology, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3DX, UK
E. J. Allen
Affiliation:
Cambridge University Farm, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, UK

Summary

In field studies of two varieties in Cambridge, UK, in 1985 and 1986, the percentage of total incident radiation intercepted by potato canopies with complete ground cover was as low as 80% for some plots but approached 100% in dense canopies. Although percentage ground cover is useful for assessing canopy growth, it is not wholly suitable for estimating light interception and may lead to serious errors in calculation of efficiency of conversion into dry matter.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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