HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) A correction has been published Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Blacklow, W. M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Blacklow, W. M. Agricola Articles by Blacklow, W. M.

Influence of Temperature on Germination and Elongation of the Radicle and Shoot of Corn (Zea mays L.)¹

Radicle and shoot elongation of seedlings of corn (Zea mays L. cv ‘UH108’) grown in wet, freely drained vermiculite were approximated by linear functions of time. The rates of elongation were greatest at about 30C and effectively ceased at 9 and 40C. The time for initiation of a radicle and a shoot decreased to a minimum at 30C with the radicle preceding the shoot. The water content of the seeds at initiation of the radicle were 57% at 30C and increased at less favorable temperature to as much as 75% at 12C. Shoot initiation occurred at 7 to 10% higher water contents than radicle initiation. The rate of radicle elongation was independent of the shoot but removal of the radicle reduced shoot growth by 15% at 20C. The apical meristem of an emerged seedling at 20C remained below the soil surface and was a function of the depth of planting. The equations derived for the processes and events have been incorporated into a mathematical model to predict germination and emergence of corn.

Key Words: Coleoptile • Water content at germination • Apical meristem • Depth of planting • Mathematical model

² Formerly Assistant Professor, Department of Land Resource Science, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Present address: Department of Agronomy, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, W.A. 6009, Australia.

Received for publication January 5, 1972.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. W. Gesch and D. W. Archer Influence of Sowing Date on Emergence Characteristics of Maize Seed Coated with a Temperature-Activated Polymer Agron. J., October 19, 2005; 97(6): 1543 - 1550. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W.E. Finch-Savage, K. Phelps, J.R.A. Steckel, W.R. Whalley, and H.R. Rowse Seed reserve-dependent growth responses to temperature and water potential in carrot (Daucus carota L.) J. Exp. Bot., November 1, 2001; 52(364): 2187 - 2197. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]