Philosophical Aspects of Measurements, Equations and Inferences in Plant Growth Studies

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Growth analysis is based on equations that are ‘identities’ because they are algebraically self-evident, whereas the more deterministic models of plant growth are based on ‘conditional equations’ that represent quantitative hypotheses. Growth analytical studies consequently focus on the values of the components and not on the validity of the equations, whereas ‘validation’ is a prime concern for other growth models. Implications of measurement theory, of dependent and independent variables and of compensating components arise in the use of both types of equation for quantifying growth. There is now available a range of approaches, from traditional growth analysis, through various developments of growth analysis including light conversion analysis, to complex mechanistic models of growth.