The proper growth of leaves results in an increase in leaf area, which allows for greater interception of solar radiation, and consequently greater photosynthetic activity and better crop productivity for different planting times. The objectives of this work were to obtain equations in order to estimate leaf area from the linear dimensions of the leaf blades, to establish allometric relationships between the leaf area and the number of leaves in the primary crown, and to determine the productivity of fruits for different planting dates of two strawberry cultivars. The experiment was carried out at the experimental area of the Department of Plant Science, at the Federal University of Santa Maria, in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, with the Araza and Yvapitá cultivars. Plants were sown on six dates: 03/04/2008, 07/05/2008, 02/06/2008, 02/02/2009, 02/04/2009 and 02/06/2009. The experimental design used was of randomised blocks with four replications (plots of 30 plants each). In each plot, six plants were tagged for weekly determination of the number and area of leaves in the primary crown, and the fresh weight and number of fruits per plant. The power model satisfactorily characterised the allometric relationship between the development of the leaf area and the number of leaves accumulated in the primary crown. Fruit production was influenced by planting time, so that early planting in the period recommended by EMBRAPA (April) provides greater leaf area at the beginning of flowering, and a higher yield potential, especially in years with high solar radiation in the spring, as happened in 2008.
Strawberry; Leaf analysis; Agricultural crops; Yield
