We present covariant predictions for pi and eta decay modes of N and Delta
resonances from relativistic constituent-quark models based on
one-gluon-exchange and Goldstone-boson-exchange dynamics. The results are
calculated within the point-form approach to Poincare-invariant relativistic
quantum mechanics applying a spectator-model decay operator. The direct
predictions of the constituent-quark models for covariant pi and eta decay
widths show a behaviour completely different from previous ones calculated in
nonrelativistic or so-called semirelativistic approaches. It is found that the
present theoretical results agree with experiment only in a few cases but
otherwise always remain smaller than the experimental data (as compiled by the
Particle Data Group). Possible reasons for this behaviour are discussed with
regard to the quality of both the quark-model wave functions and the mesonic
decay operator.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.