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a sPeCIFIC role
The value of plant growth regulators needs to be kept in
perspective, said Sheri Strydhorst, a research scientist with
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development in Barrhead. While
they can play an important role, they won’t have a fit in all
growing areas, and they do have a very specific purpose.
“There may be a bit of confusion over what plant growth
regulators do,” said Strydhorst, who is conducting research
and field trials with PGRs. “The goal of a PGR is not to increase
yield. The goal is to increase harvestability of the crop—to
help crops stand better. But in doing that, if crops don’t lodge
they are likely able to fill better, which can improve yield. And
if a crop isn’t plastered to the ground, then,
again, farmers are able to harvest more
grain. But the main purpose of the PGR
applied to the crop is to prevent cells from
elongating and to lower the rate of cell
division so you have a shorter-stature crop
with stronger stems.”
Strydhorst said PGRs have been used
extensively in parts of the world where
cereals are grown under relatively high
moisture conditions. Figures from the U.K.,
for example, show that between 80 and 90
per cent of winter wheat, winter barley and winter oat crops are
produced with one to two applications of a PGR each year.
In Canada, Strydhorst sees PGRs having the best fit in
irrigation districts and in higher-moisture growing areas,
generally regarded as the black soil zone. However, in recent
years, as many farmers in Western Canada know, higher
moisture conditions have prevailed in many areas outside the
black soil zone.
“With higher moisture conditions, more farmers are seeing
the potential to increase crop yields by using higher rates of
nitrogen and a wider range of crop-protection products,” she
said. “But one of the limitations as producers push for higher
yields is the risk of crop lodging. So with PGRs we have a
potential tool that may allow for higher yields and improved
standability.”
Strydhorst’s research with both Ethrel
and Cycocel Extra PGRs did not produce
dramatic results in 2013. It was only one
year, and growing conditions vary, but she
said she saw only a slight improvement
in lodging and a crop height reduction
of about seven centimetres (two to three
inches). However, she is planning to
expand the research to 15 sites in 2014,
from southern Alberta’s irrigation district
to the Peace River region.
“Growing conditions can certainly
play a factor, and the other thing to remember about PGRs is
that some varieties are more responsive than others, so their
effectiveness can depend on the year and the variety.”
Spring
2014
grains
West
38
“The goal of a PGR is
not to increase yield.
The goal is to increase
harvestability of the
crop.”
–Sheri Strydhorst
WITH PGR:
AC Foremost CPS wheat on July 11, 2013, at
Barrhead, showing improved standability. This research plot
received a PGR application, but did not receive supplemental
in-crop nitrogen fertilizer.
WITHOUT PGR:
AC Foremost CPS wheat on July 11, 2013, at
Barrhead, showing crop lodging. This research plot received an
application of supplemental in-crop nitrogen fertilizer, but did not
receive a PGR application.