Table 2.

The effect of shading (reduced photosynthetic assimilate supply) on kernel dry weight at maturity in relation to ear kernel number, for plants held at day/night temperatures of 18/13 °C following anthesis

	Full kernel number		Reduced kernel number
Measurement	Full light	50 % shade	Full light	50 % shade
Kernel number	54·9 ± 1·2	56·1 ± 1·2 n.s.	19·7 ± 0·4	20·9 ± 0·5 n.s.
Weight per kernel (mg)*	67·9 ± 0·9	59·8 ± 1·5**	72·4 ± 0·6	72·8 ± 0·7 n.s.

Each value is the mean of 22 replicates ± s.e.

* Kernels from the five central spikelets of an ear.

** Shading effect significant at the 1 % level.

n.s., Shading effect not significant.