The Significance of Leaf Area in Evapotranspiration

Evapotranspiration rates increased with leaf area and fell withits decline at the time of flowering of cotton plants (Gossypiumbarbadense L.) and this relation was maintained while the rateof pan evaporation was steadily decreasing. A similar relationshipwas established for the hyacinth bean (Dolichos lablab L.) butevapotranspiration dropped at the onset of flowering, at thetime when leaf area was still increasing and the evaporatingpotential of the atmosphere began to rise. Evapotranspirationper unit area of leaf surface per day declined progressivelywith age for both species.