A mathematical description of maize leaf area growth using a logistic curve

Abstract

In this paper, an attempt is made to apply the Verhulst-Pearl and the Robertson logistic curves to the description of maize plant growth. The changes with time of the total leaf area were taken as the parameter expressing the growth kinetics. The constant coefficients in the Verhulst-Pearl and Robertson equations were calculated with the help of a logarithmic transformation and the least square method. On this basis, the growth kinetics of the studied maize lines and hybrid were compared. The applicability of logistic curves to the description of completed growth processes was demonstrated as was the fact that Robertson's equation is better suited for mathematical calculations.