Effects of various plant growth regulators on the nutritive value and yield of alfalfa

• Published in: Canadian journal of plant science Vol. 68; no. 1; pp. 95 - 101
• Main Authors: Buck, D.C, Cohen, R.D.H, Christensen, D.A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa, ON Agricultural Institute of Canada 1988
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Generalities. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development; Generalities. Production, biomass, yield. Quality; growth regulators; Medicago sativa; nutrient contents of plants; Growth inhibitor; Carbofuran; Auxin; Production quality; Nutritive value; Medicago sativa; Plant fiber; Dry matter; Growth regulator treatment; Leguminosae; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Plant growth substance; Spermatophyta; Yield; Fodder crop; Carbamate
• ISSN: 0008-4220; 1918-1833
• DOI: 10.4141/cjps88-010

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