Effects of solar UVB radiation on growth, flowering and yield of central and southern European maize cultivars (Zea mays L)

Different cultivars of maize (Zea mays L,) originating from Central and South Europe were grown from June to September 1994 for 16 weeks in two greenhouses covered with different UVB-absorbing (280-320 nm) plastic foils, Using the ambient UVB radiation level of a southern location (Portugal, 38.7 degrees N) in one of the greenhouses as an enhanced radiation compared to the reduced radiation in the second greenhouse, an increase of about 12% of UVB was simulated, Six of the eight cultivars examined showed significant reductions in height of up to 18.9% at all developmental stages under increased UVB, In contrast to this, the fresh and dry weight as well as the leaf area was reduced under UVB only at early developmental stages, but with ongoing development the UVB stressed plants caught up, The total content of absorbing compounds of the maize cultivars was completely unaffected by UVB, A flowering delay up to a maximum of 5 days was observed under higher UVB in several cultivars, Probably due to this delay in the cob development the yield decreased to 27.7% under higher UVB at the first harvest after 12 and 14 weeks, whereas at the second harvest after 14 and 16 weeks yield reduction levelled off.