Corn Growth Response to Temperature and Photoperiod II. Leaf‐Initiation and Leaf‐Appearance Rates¹

Abstract

The prediction of evapotranspiration and canopy photosynthesis, for example in crop simulation modeling and in remote sensing applications, requires a quantitative description of the influence of environmental factors such as temperature and photoperiod on leaf area development. The objectives of this study were to define the temperature response curves and the responses to photoperiod for two components of leaf area development in corn (Zea mays L.), namely leaf‐initiation rate and leaf‐appearance rate. Plants of two corn hybrids, W346 and XL45, were grown in controlled environments under 17 day/night temperature regimes ranging from 16/6 to 38/33°C (12 h photoperiod) and under three photoperiod regimes (12, 14, and 16 h) at two selected temperatures (constant 18 and 28°C). Leaf‐initiation rates, determined from frequent dissections, were constant from seedling emergence until tassel initiation in all treatments. Similarly the appearance rate of the first 12 leaves was constant from seedling emergence onward, but after leaf 12, appearance rate increased, presumably as a consequence of rapid stem elongation and because the upper stem leaves were smaller and required less time to expand. Both cultivars had similar leaf‐initiation and leaf‐appearance rates under each day/night temperature regime. Data from the day/night temperature regimes were used to derive rate of leaf‐initiation (leaf primordia/day) vs. temperature and rate of leaf‐appearance (leaves/day) vs. temperature response curves which could be described by third and fourth‐degree polynomial equations, respectively. Previously published values for leaf‐appearance rates have varied by up to three or four‐fold at any particular temperature, primarily because of different definitions that have been used for appearance rate. Values for the rate of change in leaf appearance rate with temperature within the 16 to 26°C range, however, were more similar ranging from 0.21 to 0.30 leaves day−1°C−1 and were similar to a value of 0.23 leaves day−1°C−1 obtained in this study. Both leaf‐initiation and leaf‐appearance rates increased with an increase in photoperiod, particularly under constant 18°C conditions. Cultivar W346 appeared to be more responsive to photoperiod than XL45.

Growth and physiological trait variation among corn hybrids for cold tolerance

“…At moderately-low temperature, minimum and maximum values ranged from 8 to 10 with an average of 9, whereas leaf number varied from 10 to 12 with an average of 11 leaves plant −1 at optimum temperature. These observed temperature effects on corn growth and development are in agreement with previous findings made by Warrington and Kanemasu (1983) and Li et al (2008). They found a curvilinear reduction of new leaf appearance rate in cold-stressed corn seedlings than plants grown under optimum temperature conditions.…”

Modeling of Shoot Elongation and Leaf Appearance in Potted Mulberry

“…In cereal crops, Yin and Kropff ( 1996) showed that the rate in rice decreased gradually during vegetative growth, and Warrington and Kanemasu ( 1983) reported that the rate in maize was constant from planting to the emergence of the 12th leaf. In dicotyledons, the rate in cotton increased with time before the appearance of the 9th leaf and became con- stant after the appearance of the lOth leaf (Reddy et al, 1993).…”

Crop Growth and Yield Losses in Wheat Due to Little Seed Canary Grass Infestation Differ with Weed Densities and Changes in Environment

“…Delay in sowing wheat resulted in less TDM, which might be due to sub-optimal growing conditions during the vegetative growth phase (Farooq and Cheema, 2014). Leaf development and dry matter accumulation greatly depend on the prevailing temperature and unfavorable temperature (which is common in late sowing) negatively influences vegetative growth (Warrington and Kanemasu, 1983).…”