The aim of this work was to estimate leaf area index of the canola cultivar 'Hyola 61' under variations of row spacing and density of sowing by a non-destructive method. The experimental design consisted of a split plot with four blocks with row widths of 17, 34, 51 and 68cm and plant populations of 15, 30, 45 and 60m². Two hundred and fifth leaves were collected at random and mesure width (C), length (L) and leaf area (LA) and the parameters were correlated. Also the leaves of four plants of each plot, selected at random, were measured L and C and estimated the leaf area index (LAI). Width leaf was the biometric parameter that shows highest correlation with LA. There is a linear relation between plant density and leaf area index in spacing of 34, 51 and 68cm in 'Hyola 61'. The row width of 17cm and plant population of 60 plants per square meter to reduces the LAI. However, aiming LAI maintenance in Hyola 61 is recommended uses of row width of 17cm and plant population of 45 plants per square meter.
photosynthesis; growth; yields parameters; management
