The aim of this work was to describe the incorporation of 14CO2 into maize at the late kernel fill under chilling and the subsequent movement of the photoassimilated 14C out the fed ear leaf. Cool temperatures were observed to decrease the photosynthetic rate and to alter the operation of the carbon assimilation pathway with 14C accumulation in alpha-alanine. They were shown also to affect the rate of photoassimilated carbon out of the fed area, and especially by delaying the seed import processes.