Abstract:
Despite the wide recognition of plant architecture as a key factor for optimum productivity in
most crops, factors affecting maize (Zea mays L.) crop configurationis poorly understood and
often neglected in the rainforest ecologies of sub-Saharan Africa. The present study provides an
analysis of the weather factorsaffecting canopy architecture of maize in the rainforest of sw
Nigeria. Five maize varieties were planted weekly from March to November of 2016 and 2017 in
randomized complete block experiments at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching &
Research Farm (OAU T&RF). Data were collected on upper and lower leaf angle (LAUpper and
LALower), and leaf orientation values (LOVUpper and LOVLower) which served as indices for
canopy architecture.Weather data were obtained from the automatic weather station located on
the farm. ANOVA revealed that environment had significant effects on canopy architecture
andgrain yield (P = 0.01; R2 ? 80 %). Correlation and regression analyses showed thatsoil
moisture, soil temperature, and solar radiation greatly affected canopy configuration (P ? 0.01),
particularly LA and LOV. Sequential path analyses confirmed that soil moisture for LA, and soil
temperature for LOV, were the most important weather factors directlyinfluencing canopy
architecture in maize. Leaf angle was directly influenced by soil moisture and indirectly byair
relative humidy and rainfall, while LOV was directly influenced by soil temperature and solar
radiation, and indirectly by air relative humidity, heat unit, total radiation, rainfall, and soil heat
flux. |
