VARIABILITY OF SOME PARAMETERS IN THE LEAF GEOMETRY DESCRIPTION IN Solanum nigrum L.

Abstract

The study analyzed the variability of some foliar parameters in the description of leaf geometry in Solanum nigrum L. 50 leaves were taken from mature plants of Solanum nigrum L. from the Didactic and Experimental Resort area, BUASVM Timisoara, Timis County, Romania. Randomly, 25 leaves were taken for analysis. The length (L) and width (w) parameters of the leaves were determined. The leaves were scanned and the perimeter (Per) and scanned leaf area (SLA) were determined. The fractal geometry of the leaves was evaluated by fractal analysis, and the fractal dimension (D) was determined by the box-counting method. The mean values for the foliar parameters considered were: L=7.820±0.206, w=4.647±0.151, Per=23.273±0.686, SLA=19.266±0.968, D=1.628±0.007. Very strong correlations between SLA and D (r=0.960^***) have been identified. Strong correlations were recorded between L and w (r=0.836^***), between SLA and Per (r=0.839^***), between D and Per (r=0.820^***). Moderate correlations were recorded between Per and w (r=0.747^***), between SLA and w (r=0.733^***), between D and w (r=0.722^***). Weak correlations were recorded between Per and L (r=0.616^**), between SLA and L (r=0.570^**), between D and L (r=0.615^**). In all cases, the correlations presented statistical certainty (^** p < .01, ^*** p < .001). Regression analysis facilitated the obtaining of equations that expressed the parameters variation in the description of the studied leaves geometry (p<0.001). 3D and isoquant models were obtained to describe the SLA variation in relation to L and w, and the D variation in relation to L and w, respectively in relation to L and Per. The variability of the analyzed parameters, in descending order was CV_SLA=25.1231, CV_w=16.2707, CV_Per=14.6691, CV_L=13.1813, CV_D=2.2802. The fractal dimension (D) was the most stable parameter, among those analyzed, for characterizing the leaf geometry in the Solanum nigrum L., with the lowest variability and the lowest degree of values dispersion.