THE RATE OF DRY WEIGHT ACCUMULATION IN MARQUIS WHEAT AS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE AND LIGHT INTENSITY

Abstract

Plants were grown to the stage of anthesis at constant temperatures from 10 to 30 °C and under continuous illumination at intensities ranging from 200 to 2500 ft-c. The absolute growth rate was maximal at the time of ear emergence. The relative growth rate declined continuously with time; the rate of decline was greatest at the higher temperatures and light intensities. The optimal temperature for the mean absolute growth rate over the whole growth period was 20–25 °C. The optimum for the mean relative growth rate was 15–20 °C. This difference is attributed to the faster rate of floral development at high temperatures. Both absolute and relative growth rates increased with increasing light intensity up to 2500 ft-c.