How Does Temperature Affect Plant Growth

Temperature is one of the prominent factors that contribute to the growth and development of plants in all climatic regions in the world. The role temperature plays in a plant’s growth cannot be overemphasized.

Temperature determines the plant’s type of plant to grow in a specific region, the growth rate, and the yield, both in quality and quantity. Plants have different temperature requirements, this is evident in the choice of plant growth in different regions of the world.

Plants respond to temperature extremes differently; some plants thrive at lower temperatures, while others can tolerate relatively high temperatures. It is very important for farmers to find out the temperature requirement of each crop before planting.

How Temperature Affects Plants

Generally, temperature influences the rate of biological activities in plants; photosynthesis, enzymatic reactions, transpiration, nutrient availability and absorption, presence of beneficial microorganisms in the soil, respiration, germination, and flowering are regulated by temperature.

The optimum temperature for plant growth ranges between 65F – 80F (18.5C – 26.5C). As the temperature increases, the rate of the biological processes in plants increases. This is why higher plant cultivation and vegetation are common in tropical regions.  Temperature affects plants differently at varying degrees or extremes.

At low temperatures, plant growth is slowed down, flowering in plants is delayed, and the rate of photosynthesis and enzymatic reactions is decreased. Also, the activity of the soil microorganisms is decreased, and the rate of plant disease emergence and pest infestation is increased and decreased respectively.

All these and more result in a decrease in the growth rate of non-tolerant plants. The temperate regions are known for their low temperatures extreme, this is why only a few exotic plants are grown in that region.

At high temperatures, there is an increased rate of flowering, photosynthesis, enzymatic reactions, and plant growth. Also, the soil microorganisms are actively aerating the soil and degrading compounds to form nutrients in the soil, there is a reduced rate of the incidence of plant disease and an increased rate of pest infestation.

Majority of the crops planted across the globe tolerate high temperatures. Tropical regions are characterized by high temperature extremes; hence, the majority of the crops planted across the globe are from tropical regions.

On the contrary, higher temperature extremes like above 95F (35C) and below 50F (10C) can cause growth and flowering in fruit trees. This is to indicate that the optimum temperature range of your region should be tolerated by the crop to achieve good growth and yield.

Effects of Temperature in Plants

• Temperature increases flowering and fruit production in plants
• Temperature in plants determines the quality and quantity of crops produced
• Plants grow faster and yield more in regions with high temperatures.
• Higher temperatures increase the presence of beneficial soil microorganisms and their activities
• Temperature increases the rate of biological activity like photosynthesis in plants
• Lower temperatures favorable to the growth of plant disease pathogens
• Higher temperatures favor the breeding of pests and pest invasion in plants
• More crops are grown in areas like the tropics with high temperatures than in temperate regions with lower temperature extremes.

In conclusion,

Temperature is a very important parameter for plant growth. Planting crops in areas of their temperature preference can greatly boost the growth rate and yield of the crop. It’s generally accepted that higher temperatures favor the growth of plants than lower temperatures.