GROWTH OF CORN SEEDLINGS: EFFECTS OF NIGHT TEMPERATURE UNDER OPTIMUM SOIL MOISTURE OR UNDER DROUGHT CONDITIONS
Emergence and early seedling growth of two corn hybrids, Stewart 2300 and B73 × Mo17, were studied in growth cabinets in which night temperatures ranged from 5 to 20 °C. Emergence was more rapid at higher night temperatures and the two hybrids had relatively constant growing degree day (base temperature of 3 °C) requirements to reach 80% emergence. Both leaf area and dry matter increased most rapidly under 15 °C night temperatures and relative growth rate and net assimilation rate decreased with lower night temperatures when moisture was adequate. Under drought conditions, however, night temperature had little effect on growth rate. These findings indicate that cool night temperatures lead to reductions in photosynthesis. The finding that drought reduces the effects of cool night temperature is consistent with the theory that photosynthesis is reduced after cool nights because stomatal opening is inhibited by a temperature-induced water deficit.