The logistic function - its application to the description and prognosis of plant growth

Abstract

A logistic function in the form of y=A/(1 +be^-rt) was used in this paper to analyse the growth of plants. The first, second and third derivatives of the above equation served as the basis for constructing growth, growth rate and growth acceleration curves. Characteristic points showing the main phases of plant growth were also found on these curves. Very good results were obtained by using the logistic function to describe the accumulation of dry matter by a plant using experimental data from literature. An attempt was also made to forecast growth based on three initial measurements of dry matter. A transcendental equation, solvable by numerical methods, was derived from the three logistic equations. This method was not found to be useful in predicting the final growth due to the large degree of error between the experimental and estimated value.