Plant Growth Analysis: Additive and Multiplicative Components of Growth

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Abstract
Three techniques used to investigate whole-plant growth are plant growth analysis, yield component analysis and demographic analysis. Each subdivides growth into morphological or physiological components. This paper derives several relationships which define the contributions made by components to the performance of the whole plant. For example, the additive contributions by different plant parts to overall unit leaf rate may be determined. Also, for multiplicative components, the relative growth rate of yield is the sum of the relative growth rates of yield components. The relationships developed here serve to link different approaches to growth analysis, and they are illustrated using data from growth studies of bean and sunflower.