Breeding evaluation of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) accessions by leaf area and leaf perimeter using the destructive method ImageJ
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61308/UBGW3402Keywords:
cocksfoot; selection; leaf area; leaf perimeter; destructive method; ImageJAbstract
During the period 2023-2025, a collection of 14 accessions of cocksfoot was studied at the Institute of Forage Crops - Pleven, with individual plant placement on a leached chernozem soil type, under non-irrigated conditions. The aim was to evaluate the accessions through the arithmetic mean value for leaf area and leaf perimeter and ecological stability, expressed through the coefficient of variation (CV, %). A total of 1400 leaves were measured using the destructive ImageJ method. Average, minimum, maximum values, standard deviations are presented, with the largest leaf area being the accessions in 2024, as follows: Pennmead, Dabrava, Goris, Priskulskaya 30, Sterling, La Foret Fonesnant and Pennlate, exceeding the average value for the collection of 11.29 cm2, with a strong variation of 38.13%. In 2025, the ranking in descending order for leaf area is as follows: Dabrava, Goris, Pennmead, Latar, 9BGR and Priskulskaya 30, exceeding the average value for the collection of 14.12 cm2, with a strong variation of 25.09%. The average value for leaf perimeter in 2024 is 48.63 cm, with 7 accessions exceeding it, with a high variability of 24.47%, and in 2025 it is higher, respectively 54.48cm, with an average variability of 13.43%. Using the method of Francis and Kannenberg (1978) with parameters average leaf area and leaf perimeter and average coefficient of variation, genotypes were selected, exceeding the average values for the collection in the two consecutive years. The applied techniques for image processing and analysis and leaf area measurement are relatively fast, easy and a large volume of plant material can be evaluated in breeding programs.
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