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Comparative Leaf Area and Dry Matter Accumulation by Maize and Sugarbeet¹

Growth of noncompetitive plants of locally adapted maize (Zea mays L. cv. ‘Michigan 555 3x’) was compared with that of sugarbect (Beta vulgaris L. cv. ‘US H20’) in five experiments, including a 113-day experiment outdoors.

Maize had larger leaf area per plant at emergence and maintained a larger area until the end of the 113-day experiment; however, sugarbeet had nearly the same leaf area as maize at 113 days from emergence. The rate of leaf-area accretion for both species was very similar for the first 50 days. Maize had decelerated to zero by 71 days, whereas sugarbeet continued to accrete leaf area.

Dry-matter production per plant was greater for maize, ranging from 11.7-fold greater at 15 days to 1.6-fold greater at 113 days when it was mature.

The ratio of total dry matter produced per unit leaf area (DM/ULA) for maize:sugarbeet at 15 days was 1.60:1.00 and at 30 days was 1.48:1.00. At 50 days maize had produced no more DM/ULA than sugarbeet; and when the differential rate of leaf-area accretion between the two species was adjusted, they were about equal at 71 days. At 92 days, maize again produced more DM/ULA than sugarbeet. At 113 days, maize averaged 66.8 mg dry matter cm^–2 of leaf area and sugarbeet only 46.4. Thus, in the 113-day period, the ratio of total DM/ULA for maize:sugarbeet was 1.44:1.00. Individual plants of both species differed markedly in producing DM/ULA. Growth-rate data are included.

Key Words: Zea mays L. • Beta vulgaris L. • C₄ plant • C₃ plant • Growth analysis • Comparative growth • Dry matter per unit leaf area

² Plant Physiologist, ARS, USDA, East Lansing, MI 48823.

Received for publication October 5, 1973.