Temperature Dependence of Plant and Crop Process

Abstract

The quantitative effects of temperature on plant and crop processes are discussed and related to the underlying theory, by means of a critical and expository essay which aims to provide a conceptual basis for the consideration of these problems. The topics considered include the Arrhenius equation and Q l0 ; the collision and transition-state theories of the rate constant; models with a temperature optimum; models without a temperature optimum; phase changes; diffusion, viscosity and translocation; hybrid systems (biochemistry plus transport); photosynthesis; respiration; and development with the day-degree hypothesis.