Peer-review: Yes - Open Access: Yes|http://science.thomsonreuters.com/cgi-bin/jrnlst/jlresults.cgi?PC=MASTER&ISSN=0008-4220

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Summary (Fr);21 ref

A single-cross maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid was grown to maturity in the four combinations of two temperatures, 20 and 30 C, and two photoperiods, 10 and 20 h, in controlled-environment growth cabinets. Measurements of dry weights of plant components were made at tassel initiation, mid-anthesis, mid-anthesis plus 16 days, and maturity. The longer photoperiod and cooler temperature treatment produced the highest final plant dry weight. Average daily dry matter (DM) production was greater for plants grown at the longer photoperiod. This could largely be attributed to a higher leaf area per plant. The duration of DM production was longer at the cooler temperature. Grain yields were higher under the lower temperature because of an increase in the length of the grain-filling period and because a greater proportion of the post-anthesis DM was allocated to the grain. The results of this study showed a significant photoperiod × temperature interaction for length of the grain-filling period, kernel number and grain yield. Post-anthesis DM accumulation did not appear to be a limiting factor for grain yield. The effects of temperature and photoperiod on length of the grain-filling period and grain yield may have been partly mediated through the size of the grain sink.

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