A hereditary characteristic of a plant controlled by a large number of genes. Expression of the trait is variable from year to year, and from environment to environment.
A characteristic of an organism that varies in a continuous manner (e.g., consort, corona).
phenotypic trait that varies along a continuum within a population (e.g., height). Such traits are determined by the cumulative interaction of multiple genes and their alleles (each of which by itself has a relatively small effect on the trait) in combination with environmental factors.
A characteristic of an organism that varies in a continuous manner (e.g., horn length).
Those traits in which there is no sharp distinction between phenotypes, with a gradual variation from one phenotype to another, such as weaning weight. Usually, many gene pairs are involved, as well as environmental influences.
A trait in which phenotypes show continuous (numerical) expression.
A phenotype that can vary in a quantitative manner when measured among different individuals. The variation in expression can be due to combinations of genetic and environmental factors, as well as chance. Quantitative traits are often controlled by the cumulative action of alleles at multiple loci.