Chapter 20: geographic variability in growth of forest trees

Abstract

Tree growth, like all plant characters, is a product of the interaction of genes and environment; however, the genes, environment, and interaction are not the same for every individual of a species. Genes exert master control over the plant's growth mechanisms. They control mechanisms for responding to environment and for utilizing environment in growth. Usually many genes control growth, and their individual effects are thought to be additive. The contributions of the individual genes establish the genetically fixed range of tolerance of a tree. The environment supplies the raw material essential to the tree's manufacturing plant. All component parts of the environment-climate, soils, biota-must provide their share to the manufacturing process called growth. Deficiency or excess in any part can limit the process.

Citation

Callaham, Robert Z. 1962. Chapter 20: geographic variability in growth of forest trees. In: Tree growth. Kozlowski, Theodore T., ed. 1962. Ronald Press Company: p. 311-325