Vol. 10, Issue 11 (2021)

Author(s):
Manish Kumar, Anurag Sanadya and Raghunath Singh Netam

Abstract:
Because of global land surface warming, extreme temperature events are expected to occur more often and more intensely, affecting the growth and development of the major cereal crops in several ways, thus affecting the production component of food security. In this study, we have identified maize crop responses to temperature in different, but consistent, phenological phases and development stages. A literature review and data compilation of scientific articles have determined the key temperature thresholds and response to extreme temperature effects for maize crop, complementing an earlier study on wheat. Lethal temperatures and cardinal temperatures, together have been identified for phenological phases and development stages. Following the methodology of previous work, we have collected and analysed temperature effect on growth stages of crop. Our summary shows that cardinal temperatures are conservative between studies and are seemingly well defined. Anthesis and ripening are the most sensitive temperature stages in maize. We call for further studies of the effects of transgressing threshold temperatures so such responses can be included into crop impact and adaptation models.