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Annals of Botany 74: 513-518, 1994
© 1994 Annals of Botany Company
Plant Growth Analysis: A Note on the Variability of Unit Leaf Rate (Net Assimilation Rate) Within a Sample
Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, UK
Previously it has been established that when mean relative growth rate (RGR) is estimated from growth data by the classical method of growth analysis, the computed variance of RGR is probably greater than it should be. By similar procedures, it is now demonstrated that the same is true of unit leaf rate (ULR). The experimental results indicate that the coefficients of variation of both RGR and ULR are similar in magnitude. In an ordinary growth experiment, analysed by the classical methods of growth analysis, assuming the equality of the coefficients of variation of RGR and ULR enables a simple calculation of the variance of ULR to be made. Thus, in such experiments, lower variances of both RGRs and ULRs are obtained than are given by the classical methods. These lower variances are probably closer to biological reality, and also increase the sensitivity of such experiments.Copyright 1994, 1999 Academic Press
Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera L., Helianthus annuus L., Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., Triticum aestivum L., Brussels sprouts, sunflower, tomato, wheat, growth analysis, variance, relative growth rate, unit leaf rate, net assimilation rate