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Two field experiments were employed to investigate canopy production in two cultivars of maize (Zea mays), Pioneer 34N43 and Pioneer 31H50, under contrasted water regimes. Plants were sampled at 1–3 day intervals to quantify extension of leaves and internodes. Final lengths of leaf laminae, sheaths and internodes were reduced when the organ extension was exposed to water stress; however, Pioneer 34N43 appeared to be more sensitive than Pioneer 31H50. An effective linear phase by simplifying a four-phase model was used to characterise organ extension in response to water stress. The coordination of the timing of sequential extension events of laminae, sheaths and internodes was preserved under mild water stress, but rates of processes were reduced. The rate of linear extension was principally responsible for reduction in organ length. This study provides robust relationships for use in modelling organ extension and canopy production under mild to moderate water stress.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Canopy development • leaf extension • linear phase • water stress • Zea mays L
Research Division:	Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
Research Group:	Crop and Pasture Production
Research Field:	Crop and Pasture Biochemistry and Physiology
Objective Division:	Plant Production and Plant Primary Products
Objective Group:	Summer Grains and Oilseeds
Objective Field:	Maize
Author:	Birch, CJ (Associate Professor Colin Birch)
ID Code:	52865
Year Published:	2010
Web of Science® Times Cited:	8
Deposited By:	Agricultural Science
Deposited On:	2008-10-02
Last Modified:	2011-04-13
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