Photosynthetica 2012, 50(3):343-352 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-012-0038-2

Evaluation of reflectance spectroscopy indices for estimation of chlorophyll content in leaves of a tropical tree species

M. S. Mielke1,*, B. Schaffer2, A. C. Schilling3
1 Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
2 University of Florida, IFAS, Tropical Research & Education Center, Homestead, USA
3 Departamento de Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Brasil

The effectiveness of eight spectral reflectance indices for estimating chlorophyll (Chl) content in leaves of Eugenia uniflora L., a tropical tree species widely distributed throughout the world and a key species for ecosystem restoration projects, was evaluated. Spectral reflectance indices were tested using sun and shade leaves with a broad variation in leaf mass per area (LMA). Shortly after plants were exposed to chilling temperatures, there was a dramatic visible change in some sun leaves from green to red. Prior to testing Chl-related reflectance indices, the green and red leaves were separated according to the anthocyanin reflectance index (ARI). Slightly green to dark green leaves corresponded to an ARI value less than 0.11 (n = 107), whereas slightly red to red leaves corresponded to an ARI value greater than 0.11 (n = 35). To estimate leaf Chl, two simple reflectance indices (SR680 and SR705), two normalized difference indices (ND680 and ND705), two modified reflectance indices (mSR705 and mND705), a modified Chl absorption ratio index (mCARI705) and an index insensitive to the presence of anthocyanins (CIre) were evaluated. Good estimates of leaf Chl content were obtained using the reflectance indices tested regardless of the presence of anthocyanins and changes in LMA. Based on the coefficients of determination (r 2) and the root mean square errors (RMSɛc) the best results were obtained with reflectance indices measured at wavelengths of 750 and 705 nm. Considering the performance of the models the best reflectance indices to estimate Chl contents in E. uniflora leaves with a broad variation in LMA and anthocyanin contents was SR705 and mCARI705.

Additional key words: anthocyanins; ecosystem restoration; Eugenia uniflora; leaf mass per area; SPAD-502

Received: July 14, 2011; Accepted: March 29, 2012; Published: September 1, 2012  Show citation

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Mielke, M.S., Schaffer, B., & Schilling, A.C. (2012). Evaluation of reflectance spectroscopy indices for estimation of chlorophyll content in leaves of a tropical tree species. Photosynthetica, 50(3), 343-352. doi: 10.1007/s11099-012-0038-2
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