I have been receiving calls about what the cool night temperatures we have recently been experiencing might do to corn grain yields.
Most farmers believe that corn grows best when the nights are hot.
The reverse is true. Corn uses more energy in cell respiration on warm nights resulting in lower yields. Leaf temperatures are influenced by the sky condition. On a clear night, the leaf radiates heat into outer space at a rapid rate and cools quickly. This is observed when heavy dew forms early on leaves at night.