Crop photosynthesis, respiration and dry matter production of maize

Abstract

Temperature dependence of Zea mays photosynthesis was highest in the early (till mid July) and very late (begin October) stages of crop growth, showing a reduction of about 50% at the higher irradiances (>400 W m-2). In the period of major dry matter production (mid July-September) the reduction was only 12-15 %. The carbon balance sheet showed that from the total amount of CO2 absorbed by the crop (equivalent to 30.7 t DM ha-1), 30% was lost by above-ground respiration and 50% was invested in above-ground harvestable material. The remaining 20% is assumed to be transported to plant parts under the ground. -from Authors