Effects of Routine Handling on Maize Growth

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L. cv. XL45) plants were grown from seed in controlled-environment rooms. Twice-daily weighings of the plants and containers for 7 days reduced height, and removing plants from the rooms for two 20-min periods daily for 7 days gave significant reductions in stem and leaf dry weights and total leaf area. Transpiration rates were not affected by either of these treatments. Short-term removal from the rooms (up to 10 min daily) produced no significant reductions in plant characteristics. Measuring leaf lengths daily for 10 days resulted in significant reductions in stem dry weight and plant height. It is suggested that control plants should always be subjected to the same degree of handling as treated plants.