The Influence of Temperature on the Respiration of Cotton Leaf-Discs

Abstract
Leaf-discs cut from maturing cottom (Gossypium hirsutum, var. Acala 4-42) were used to determine respiration rates at temperatures from 5[degree] to 55[degree]C in Warburg apparatus. Over a period of 3 hours the rate of respiration increased with temperature up to 45CC, and at 50[degree] and 55[degree]C there was an initial decrease in respiration. At temperatures below 25[degree]C there was some tendency for the respiration to increase with time over a 3 hour period and above 30[degree]C for respiration to decrease with time. At 45[degree] and 50[degree]C the decrease with time was not as great as at temperatures of 35[degree] and 40[degree]C. The effect of temperature on the rate of respiration of cotton leaves seems to be similar to the effect of temperature on pea seedlings demonstrated by Fernandes in 1922.