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Temperature Effects on in vitro Kernel Development of Maize¹

This study was conducted to ascertain the effects of temperature extremes on kernel characteristics, respiration, starch synthesis, soluble sugar, and protein content during grain filling in maize (Zea mays L.). Kernels cultured in vitro on a defined media at 15, 30, and 35 C were compared to kernels from ears developed in the field. Kernels cultured for 7 days at 35 C had higher dry weights than kernels from other treatments; however, their growth ceased by the 14th day. High soluble sugar content of aborted kernels suggests that inhibition of starch synthesis may have caused kernel abortion at 35 C. Respiration was higher for kernels from field-grown ears. During the linear phase of dry matter accumulation, kernel growth rates were 0.65, 6.26, and 5.26 mg kernel^-1 day ^-1 for 15 C, 30 C, and field control treatments, respectively. The higher rate of kernel growth at 30 C was negated by a pronounced shortening of the duration of the grain filling period. Relative to the 30 C treatment, a three-fold increase in duration of grain filling at 15 C was not adequate to compensate for the 90% reduction in kernel growth rate that occurred. Cool temperatures that occurred in the field or that were maintained in vitro caused soluble sugar levels to remain high and deposition of starch in the endosperm to lag several days behind that observed at 30 C.

Cool temperatures did not affect the synthesis of proteins in general or cause differential synthesis of an individual or specific class of protein in the zein fraction. These data show that kernel abortion and shortening of the grain filling period at higher than optimum temperatures and severe reduction in kernel growth rates at lower than optimum temperatures are possible mechanisms by which temperature may mediate kernel growth and development and ultimately grain yield of maize.

Key Words: Respiration • Sucrose uptake • Starch synthesis • Zein synthesis • Kernel growth rate and duration • Kernel abortion • Zea mays L.

² Assistant professor, associate professor, and professor, respectively, in the Dep. of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108.

Received for publication January 30, 1981.

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