Nondestructive and Rapid Estimation of Leaf Chlorophyll Content of Sugarcane using a SPAD Meter

Radhamani, R., R. Kannan

Abstract: This study evaluated the feasibility of using a SPAD-502 (Minolta, Japan) chlorophyll meter for estimating leaf chlorophyll and active iron content of sugarcane with respect to combined application of amendments. The SPAD chlorophyll meter readings were used to measure the leaf greenness. Leaf chlorophyll contents were also determined using the acetone extraction method. The metabolically active iron content of leaf was analysed by 1, 10-orthophenanthroline extract. SPAD readings were significantly correlated with leaf chlorophyll content, cane yield, sugar yield and active iron contents were 0.900, 0.723, 0.711 and 0.860 respectively. These results suggest that the readings from a SPAD meter can be used for rapidly and nondestructively estimating leaf chlorophyll and it could facilitate in-situ decision making for application of amendments to iron deficiency for the perfection of sugarcane yield.

Keywords: Sugarcane, SPAD meter, chlorophyll content, chlorosis, active iron