Grain corn ( Zea mays L.) yielded higher when grown to maturity under a 22‐12C controlled air‐21C controlled soil temperature combination than when grown under other factorial combinations with 26‐16C air and 17C soil. Lowering air temperatures lengthened the time, whereas increasing soil temperature shortened the time to reach maturity, indicating that growth rates stimulated by air temperature can reduce yields, but growth rates stimulated by soil temperature can increase yields. Starter fertilizer effects on yield were greatest with the temperature conditions giving lowest yield (higher air temperature‐lower soil temperature). Yields correlated negatively with tissue NPK concentration at maturity. Variations in leaf area corresponded to variations in yield.
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J. W. Ketcheson (1968) studied this question.