scholarly journals EFFECTS OF VARIOUS PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS ON THE NUTRITIVE VALUE AND YIELD OF ALFALFA

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. BUCK ◽  
R. D. H. COHEN ◽  
D. A. CHRISTENSEN

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) were evaluated with regard to alfalfa quality parameters: acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), lignin, crude protein (CP), calcium, phosphorus and dry matter (DM) yield. PGRs mefluidide and chlormequat were applied 28 and 49 d after initiation of alfalfa spring growth in 112 and 225 L ha−1 of water, whereas maleic hydrazide, ancymidol, paclobutrazol, daminozide, dicamba, 2,4-DB, MCPB, flamprop methyl, carbofuran, accel and ethephon were applied 28 d after initiation of alfalfa spring growth in 112 L ha−1 water. Alfalfa ADF, NDF and lignin were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in some trials by mefluidide, chlormequat, maleic hydrazide, dicamba, carbofuran and accel. Ancymidol and daminozide significantly (P < 0.05) increased fiber content and ancymidol significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the CP level. Carbofuran significantly increased CP (P < 0.05), calcium (P < 0.05) and phosphorus (P < 0.01). Mefluidide had significant (P < 0.05) effects on calcium and DM yield, but the nature of these responses was not consistent. Rate of mefluidide applied and time of application had significant (P < 0.05) effects on CP values. A large environment-PGR interaction was indicated.Key words: Mefluidide, chlormequat, maleic hydrazide, ancymidol, dicamba, carbofuran

1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 745-756
Author(s):  
W. P. McCAUGHEY ◽  
R. D. H. COHEN

The effects of the plant growth regulators mefluidide (M) and maleic hydrazide (MH) were compared to untreated controls (C) at each of two harvest dates in 1987 (14 Aug. and 14 Sept.) and 1988 (27 June and 25 July). Plant growth regulators (PGR) were applied at rates of 0.28 kg active ingredient (a.i.) Mha−1 and 1.12 kg a.i. MH ha−1on 14 and 15 July 1987 and on 11 May 1988 to a mixed crested wheatgrass-alfalfa pasture. Application of PGR to the pasture reduced yield (P < 0.01) and increased (P < 0.05) the proportion of alfalfa in the mixture in 1987 only. Chemical composition of crested wheatgrass subsamples was largely unaltered by PGR treatment in 1987 but in 1988 crude protein (P < 0.01), in vitro organic matter disgestibility (P < 0.05) and ash (P < 0.001) were increased and neutral detergent fiber was decreased (P < 0.01). In 1987 the crude protein (P < 0.01) and ash (P < 0.05) contents of alfalfa were increased but were unaffected by PGR treatment in 1988. There were large differences in nutritional value between early- and late-harvest dates in 1987 when moisture was available but only small differences during the drought of 1988. In vivo digestibility of hay from treated plots in 1987 had lower organic matter digestibility (P < 0.001), hemicellulose digestibility (P < 0.001), cellulose digestibility (P < 0.05), acid detergent fiber digestibility (P < 0.05) and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (P < 0.01). In 1987, late-harvested material had lower digestible organic matter intake kg−0.75 and digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, hemicellulose, cellulose, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber and ash were significantly (P < 0.01) lower than for material harvested earlier. The improvements in forage quality were not sufficient to offset the large yield reductions which are likely to occur in a semi-arid environment. Key words: Plant growth regulators, mefluidide, maleic hydrazide, forage quality, sheep, intake


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 268-274
Author(s):  
Sanjeevan Gosai ◽  
Subash Adhikari ◽  
Saugat Khanal ◽  
Padam Bahadur Poudel

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the basic and applied aspects of different plant growth regulators in the regulation of growth and development of cucumber plants. The study is completely based on the use of secondary sources of data; related journals, government institutes, and relevant reports. Foliar application of PGRs has been shown to change the physiological and developmental processes, including plant vegetative growth, sex expression, yield, and yield components in cucumber. There are basically two types of growth regulators; plant growth promoters such as auxin, gibberellins, cytokinins, maleic hydrazide, ethephon, etc. and plant growth inhibitors such as ethylene, abscisic acids, dormins, etc. The combined use of auxins and gibberellins result in increased secondary growth. Maleic hydrazide (MH) along with Ethephon at 100 ppm each increases the number of nodes and primary branches.  Ethrel at 300-400 ppm retards the secondary development and increase femaleness, and at 200-300 ppm make fruit surface smooth. Silver nitrate (AgNO3) at 400 ppm enhances the maleness in cucumber. Application of Ethephon at 300 ppm reduces the harvesting time of the fruit. Salicylic acid (at 2 doses of 0.07 mm/l + 0.18 mm/l) increases chlorophyll content and its exogenous application increases the fruit yield. Maleic Hydrazide (MH) alone at 100 ppm increases the femaleness, inhibits apical growth at 50-100 ppm, and increases fruit size at 200 ppm. Therefore, various auxin [indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), NAA], auxin transport inhibitor (TIBA), cytokinins (KIN), gibberellin [gibberellic acid (GA3)], ABA, ethylene [(2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethrel; ethephon; CEPA)] and growth retardant (MH) have been applied to control the vegetative growth and to maximize yield of cucumber. Numerous obstacles have hindered the quality cucumber production in Nepal; like environmental stresses, biotic and abiotic constraints, pest and disease outbreaks, and many others. The use of exogenous plant growth regulators has been crucial to Nepali cucumber producers as plant growth regulators has hasty effect on vegetative as well as the quality yield of plants. This study aims to reveal the suitable concentrations for the applications of growth regulators so that the use of such regulators is environmentally and toxicologically safe for both plants and the consumers.


2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 338-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Currey ◽  
John E. Erwin

Our objectives were to assess the efficacy of various plant growth regulators (PGRs) on stem elongation and branching of 11 kalanchoe (Kalanchoe) species with ornamental characteristics: beauvard’s widow’s-thrill (K. beauvardii), K. glaucescens, lavender scallops or red-leaved kalanchoe (K. fedtschenkoi), K. longiflora, chandelier plant (K. manginii), marnier’s kalanchoe (K. marnieriana), K. millotii, flower dust plant (K. pumila), K. rosei, common kalanchoe or nentabos (K. rotundifolia), and K. streptantha. Foliar spray applications of deionized water, ancymidol (15−60 ppm), benzyladenine (75−300 ppm), chlormequat chloride (750−3000 ppm), daminozide (1250−5000 ppm), ethephon (250−1000 ppm), paclobutrazol (10−40 ppm), or uniconazole (5−20 ppm) were applied 2 weeks after plants were pinched. Stem length at the time of application and 4 weeks after applications and branch number were recorded. While effective chemicals and concentrations varied widely among species, paclobutrazol and uniconazole were identified as providing broad efficacy with respect to inhibition of stem elongation across all 11 species in this study. Additionally, benzyladenine and ethephon increased the number of branches for several species.


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jadwiga Andrzejewska ◽  
Stanisław Ignaczak ◽  
Kenneth A. Albrecht

The leaves of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) are a valuable source of protein, and the stems a source of fiber. Harvest methods are sought that would allow separation of different plant fractions for agricultural or industrial functions. A solution is proposed, consisting of collecting leaves together with upper, fine stem fragments, while leaving most of the stem standing in the field. For this purpose, a modified flail chopper (MFC), typically used for harvesting green forage, was employed. The objective of this study was to assess the forage value of alfalfa biomass harvested at various development stages using an MFC, and stem stubble remaining after harvest. Alfalfa was harvested with a sickle-bar mower or MFC in the first and second cuts at bud, early flower and late flower stages of development. Using the MFC, 60% to 74% of the potential dry matter yield of alfalfa was harvested, in which the proportion of leaves was, on average, 22% greater than the proportion of leaves in forage harvested with a mower. Crude protein concentration was, on average, 16% greater and neutral detergent fiber concentration 13% less in alfalfa harvested with the MFC than with a mower. In alfalfa harvested with the MFC at early flower, crude protein concentration and in vitro true digestibility were similar or greater than, with neutral and acid detergent fiber at a similar or lower level as in forage harvested with a mower at bud stage. The forage nutritive value of alfalfa harvested with an MFC at late flower was similar to the forage value of alfalfa cut with a mower at early flower. The chemical composition of the 20 to 50 cm tall residual stubble was affected little by plant maturity or harvest method, and the quality parameters also indicate the possibility of its forage use.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document