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Effect of Ethrel on Sterility in Triticale 1
Author(s) -
Nelson L. R.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1975.0011183x001500050035x
Subject(s) - sterility , tifton , cultivar , biology , horticulture , triticale , botany , agronomy , dry matter
Triticale cultivars were treated with Ethrel (2‐chloroethylphosphonic acid) under greenhouse and field conditions to study the potential of Ethrel to induce sterility. The greenhouse study involved three cultivars (‘Tifton Exp. 8641,’ ‘Fas‐gro 203,’ and ‘Fas‐gro 205’) treated at five chemical rates (0, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 ppm) and at two growth stages (mid‐boot and early heading). Spikes were bagged to prevent cross‐pollination. Significant differences in the number of seeds/spike were observed for chemical rate and for date of application. The highest degree of sterility was observed in Tifton Exp. 8641 treated in the boot stage at 3,000 ppm where a mean of two seed/spike was present. Complete sterility was not obtained. The higher rates of Ethrel delayed pollination and reduced plant height of all cultivars. Field applications of Ethrel at rates of 0, 500, 1,000, 1,500, and 2,000 ppm in 1972 and 0, 1.12, and 2.24 kg/ha in 1973 caused no apparent sterility. Bagging of spikes significantly reduced the number of seeds/spike.