Genotypic Differences in the Temperature Responses of Tropical Crops

Abstract

Mohamed, H. A., Clark, J. A. and Ong, C. K. 1988. Genotypic differences in the temperature responses of tropical crops. III. Light interception and dry matter production of pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides S. & H.).—J. exp. Bot. 39: 1137–1143. Leaf area development, light interception and dry matter production of four contrasting pearl millet cultivars were investigated at mean air temperatures of 19.5, 21, 26 and 31°C. Growth was slowest as 19.5°C and fastest at 31°C. The canopies of the cultivars varied considerably with regard to their light transmission coefficients (K1), from 0.47 for Sanio to 0.23 for Oasis and in their mean efficiency of energy conversion (e), from 1.0 to 2.7 g MJ−1. The ranking of the cultivars in these respects is consistent with those for germination and early establishment and early establishment reported in the preceding papers.