Fig. 1. Relationship between kernel number per uppermost ear and plant growth rate during a period bracketing silking for maize plants (Dekalb hybrid 636) growing without nutrient nor water limitations, in which plant growth rate was modified by plant density, year and shading level. Values are means of 3 or 4 replications. The inverse equation (solid line) was KNP = 594-753/PGR (R² = 0.88, n = 34). See Andrade et al. (1999) for more details.