Aim: To know the evolution of Leaf Area (LA) and Radiation Use Efficiency (RUE) during the phenology of the Japanese plum cv. Methley.Design/methodology/approach: Twenty healthy and well managed trees were chose through quota sampling. The dates of beginning and end of the phenological phases were determined. Statistical correlations were determined between LA, Intercepted Photosynthetically Active Radiation (iPAR) and phenological phases, which implied a logical relationship between variables and a bivariate distribution. The degree and type of association between variables was analyzed through Spearman correlation coefficients using the SAS | CORR procedure (SAS_studio University Version 2016 for Windows). With the same package and statistical version, the RUE was determined, through linear regression.Results: LA increased during fruit growth; simultaneously, the radical accumulation increased. The highest LA occurred during the second stage of fruit growth and physiological maturity. There was a significant positive correlation of LA with iPAR and vegetative and fruit growth. RUE kept going while the growth of diverse organs took place, even during foliar abscission.Study limitations/implications: It would be advisable to carry out this study in several phenological cycles and with several genotypes of this species.Findings/conclusions: The highest LA occurred during the second phase of fruit growth. The LA and RUE varied along phenological phases of Japanese plum cv. Methley; when fruit growth happened, both variables were higher.
