Chilling stress boosts maize photosynthesis, promising higher yields and food security.
The researchers studied how chilling affects the photosynthesis of two types of maize plants in different seasons. They found that one type of maize, CE 704, had decreased photosynthesis capacity under chilling in spring, but adapted to chilling in autumn. The other type, CE 810, was not affected by chilling in spring and showed no differences in photosynthesis in autumn. Chilling increased the activity of a protective mechanism in CE 704 plants under strong light.
