Temperature response of dry matter accumulation, leaf photosynthesis, and chlorophyll fluorescence in an old and a new maize hybrid during early development

Studies were conducted to investigate whether genetic improvement in dry matter accumulation of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids recommended in Ontario from the late 1950s to the late 1980s is associated with cold-temperature tolerance during early phases of development. The maize hybrids Pride 5 (released in 1959) and Pioneer 3902 (released in 1988) were compared at 16/7, 23/14, and 33/24 °C under a 16-h photoperiod with a photosynthetic photon flux density of 650 μmol m−2 s−1 in long-term and short-term temperature experiments conducted in controlled-environment cabinets. In the long-term temperature experiment, plants were grown at the three temperature regimes from the 4- to the 12-leaf stage. Total and plant component dry matter was determined at the 8-, 10-, and 12-leaf stage, and leaf photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured at the 10-leaf stage. In the short-term temperature experiment, plants were exposed to the three temperature regimes during a 3-d period after the 9-leaf stage, followed by 2 d at 23/14 °C. Dry matter accumulation during the 5-d period was measured and leaf photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured during each of the last 3 d of the 5-d period. Results showed a highly significant temperature effect on all measured parameters. Dry matter of Pride 5 at the 10-leaf stage was higher than that of Pioneer 3902, but rates of dry matter accumulation and leaf photosynthesis did not differ among hybrids, and hybrid × temperature interactions were not significant for these parameters. Hybrid × temperature interactions were significant for dry matter partitioning and the fluorescence parameter Fv/Fm, suggesting better low-temperature tolerance for Pride 5. Results of the short-term temperature study showed a significant hybrid × temperature interaction for dry matter accumulation, with Pride 5 higher than Pioneer 3902 at the low temperature regime and Pride 5 lower than Pioneer 3902 at the high temperature regime. Results of these experiments suggest that improvement over the past 30 yr of Ontario maize hybrids is not associated with improved low-temperature tolerance during early development. Key words: Maize, low-temperature tolerance, dry matter accumulation, dry matter partitioning, photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence