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Influence of CCC on Water Use and Growth Characteristics of Barley
Author(s) -
Goodin J. R.,
McKell C. M.,
Webb F. L.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1966.00021962005800040028x
Subject(s) - citation , library science , horticulture , computer science , biology
W HITEHEAD (1963) suggested that certain growth regulators which have a mode of action that appeared to be antagonistic to the gibberellins might be used to pro~ect plants from extreme environmental conditions imposed by wind and drought. One of a group of chemically unrelated compounds fulfilling this criterion is (2-chloroethyl)trimethyl ammonium chloride (CCC), which has been studied extensively as a growth inhibitor (Tolbert, 1960a and 1960b). Unlike maleic hydrazide, CCC retards stem elongation without causing malformation of the plant (Halevy, 1963). The growth-retarding properties of CCC have been investigated on many species, both monocots and dicots. .Although Tolbert’s original report concerned a bioassay with wheat seedlings, he did show a growth retardation in barley (Tolbert, 1960a). In addition to the obvious shortening of wheat internodes, he reported shorter, broader, and greener leaves, earlier tillering, and slight increase in seed yield. Other workers (Humphries, 1963) have reported significant decreases in yield with similar or lowe~ concentrations of the retardant. The anatomical manifestation of CCC treatment is an increased cell wall thickness and increased number of vascular bundles in the stem (Mayr and Presoly, 1963). Tolbert states that, as a general greenhouse observation, plants treated with CCC seem to require less water, are more resistant to wilt, and have a higher salt tolerance. Wheat seedlings have been shown to overcome the harmful effects of excess salts if the seed is soaked in a 0.5% solution of CCC for 14 hours, dried, and planted (Miyamoto, 1962a). Similarly, CCC gives wheat seedlings considerable resistance to an excessively acidic or alkaline soil condition (Miyamoto, 1962b). More recently, El Damaty, Hfihn, and Linser (1965) have shown CCC-treated wheat seedlings to be more tolerant of high water stress due to salinity or low moisture than nontreated seedlings. In an experiment involving different irrigation schedules and moisture stress, they failed to alter the transpiration coe~cent with CCC. The experiments described in this paper were conducted to study the vegetation responses, yield characteristics, and water use of barley treated with CCC.