Research methods for physiological integration of clonal plants and their application

Physiological integration is one of the most important characteristics of clonal plants. Many unique behaviors of clonal plants are closely related to the effects of physiological integration. The research methods for the effects of physiological integration of clonal plants, which have hitherto been used, were summarized and analyzed. These methods were classified into two basic categories, i. e., the direct and indirect methods. Comprehensively applying these methods may further reveal the mechanism, pattern and influential factors of the effects of physiological integration of clonal plants. On the basis of continuously developing and expanding the present research methods, more attentions will be paid to the more precise methods and the research in the field or under natural conditions. Ref 104.