In-field film antitranspirant application shows potential yield protection from flowering-stage drought periods in winter canola (Brassica napus)
Michele Faralli A B , Ivan G. Grove A , Martin C. Hare A and Peter S. Kettlewell A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Crop and Environment Sciences, Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 8NB, UK.
B Corresponding author. Email: mafaralli@harper-adams.ac.uk
Crop and Pasture Science 68(3) 243-253 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP16427
Submitted: 12 November 2016 Accepted: 4 March 2017 Published: 6 April 2017
Abstract
Crop-management solutions that simulate plant water-saving strategies might help to mitigate drought damage in crops. Winter canola (Brassica napus L.) is significantly drought-sensitive from flowering to mid-pod development, and drought periods lead to significant yield losses. In this study, the drought-protection efficacy of different chemicals with antitranspirant activity applied just before key drought-sensitive phenological stages was tested on field-grown canola in two years. Drought was artificially imposed with rain shelters. The results suggest that in-field application of 1 L ha–1 of antitranspirant (Vapor Gard (VG), a.i. di-1-p-menthene) at GS6.0 (BBCH growth scale, initiation of flowering) mitigated drought-induced yield loss leading to a 22% seed-yield benefit on average over 2 years of experiments compared with the unsprayed unirrigated plots. No significant yield responses were found from application at GS7.0, with increasing VG concentrations (i.e. 2 and 4 L ha–1), or with an antitranspirant with short-lasting effectiveness. The data suggest that in field conditions where drought occurs during the flowering stage, application of 1 L ha–1 of VG just before the drought event can reduce yield loss. This result should encourage further work on water-saving management strategies during key drought-sensitive phenological stages as drought mitigation tools in canola and under different environments.
Additional keywords: crop management, grain yield, oilseed rape, stomatal conductance, water stress.
References
Abdullah AS, Aziz MM, Siddique KHM, Flower KC (2015) Film antitranspirants increase yield in drought stressed wheat plants by maintaining high grain number. Agricultural Water Management 159, 11–18.| Film antitranspirants increase yield in drought stressed wheat plants by maintaining high grain number.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bell JP (1987) ‘Neutron probe practice.’ 3rd edn. IH Report No. 19. (Institute of Hydrology: Wallingford, UK)
Berry PM, Spink JH (2006) A physiological analysis of oilseed rape yields: Past and future. The Journal of Agricultural Science 144, 381–392.
| A physiological analysis of oilseed rape yields: Past and future.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Berry PM, Spink JH (2009) Understanding the effect of a triazole with anti-gibberellin activity on the growth and yield of oilseed rape (Brassica napus). The Journal of Agricultural Science 147, 273–285.
| Understanding the effect of a triazole with anti-gibberellin activity on the growth and yield of oilseed rape (Brassica napus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXltFWnsbg%3D&md5=4c39314ee3dc1781e6e6a3fd09809171CAS |
Champolivier L, Merrien A (1996) Effects of water stress applied at different growth stages to Brassica napus L. var. oleifera on yield, yield components and seed quality. European Journal of Agronomy 5, 153–160.
| Effects of water stress applied at different growth stages to Brassica napus L. var. oleifera on yield, yield components and seed quality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cossani CM, Reynolds MP (2012) Physiological traits for improving heat tolerance in wheat. Plant Physiology 160, 1710–1718.
| Physiological traits for improving heat tolerance in wheat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhvVKmt7rM&md5=0a721a5ffed167bbba57c87565f8396aCAS |
de Bouille P, Sotta B, Miginiac E, Merrien A (1989) Hormones and pod development in oilseed rape (Brassica napus). Plant Physiology 90, 876–880.
| Hormones and pod development in oilseed rape (Brassica napus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL1MXlsFSltLk%3D&md5=6d3d6cf4edaab042ce03d94666f522f1CAS |
del Amor FM, Cuadra-Crespo P, Walker DJ, Cámara JM, Madrid R (2010) Effect of foliar application of antitranspirant on photosynthesis and water relations of pepper plants under different levels of CO2 and water stress. Journal of Plant Physiology 167, 1232–1238.
| Effect of foliar application of antitranspirant on photosynthesis and water relations of pepper plants under different levels of CO2 and water stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhtVaqsLbF&md5=36ba107b663d9dc427408a9e07d27df0CAS |
Faralli M, Grove I, Hare M, Boyle R, Williams K, Corke FMK, Kettlewell P (2016) Canopy application of film antitranspirants over the reproductive phase enhances yield and yield-related physiological traits of water stressed oilseed rape (Brassica napus). Crop & Pasture Science 67, 751–765.
| Canopy application of film antitranspirants over the reproductive phase enhances yield and yield-related physiological traits of water stressed oilseed rape (Brassica napus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC28Xht1Krs7nN&md5=98860db94563a7fc5d6f7676f026436aCAS |
Faralli M, Grove IG, Hare MC, Alcalde-Barrios A, Williams KS, Corke FMK, Kettlewell PS (2017a) Modulation of Brassica napus source–sink physiology through film antitranspirant induced drought tolerance amelioration that is dependent on the stress magnitude. Journal of Agronomy & Crop Science
| Modulation of Brassica napus source–sink physiology through film antitranspirant induced drought tolerance amelioration that is dependent on the stress magnitude.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Faralli M, Grove IG, Hare MC, Kettlewell PS, Fiorani F (2017b) Rising CO2 from historical concentrations enhances the physiological performance of Brassica napus seedlings under optimal water supply but not under reduced water availability. Plant, Cell & Environment 40, 317–325.
| Rising CO2 from historical concentrations enhances the physiological performance of Brassica napus seedlings under optimal water supply but not under reduced water availability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2sXlt1KgsA%3D%3D&md5=d0af682c8fd55ee11eeaa30831c54b6bCAS |
Foulkes MJ, Slafer GA, Davies WJ, Berry PM, Sylvester-Bradley R, Martre P, Reynolds MP (2011) Raising yield potential of wheat. III. Optimizing partitioning to grain while maintaining lodging resistance. Journal of Experimental Botany 62, 469–486.
| Raising yield potential of wheat. III. Optimizing partitioning to grain while maintaining lodging resistance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhsFyrsbzP&md5=d6efe9abf17761c8e5bbaffc7da73d68CAS |
Fuehring HD (1975) Yield of dryland grain sorghum as affected by antitranspirant, nitrogen, and contributing micro-watershed. Agronomy Journal 67, 255–257.
| Yield of dryland grain sorghum as affected by antitranspirant, nitrogen, and contributing micro-watershed.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE28XhslGjtbg%3D&md5=dd9ece72727b84cc74401770adaff5d8CAS |
Hall DGM, Reeve MJ, Thomasson AJ, Wright VF (1977) ‘Water retention, porosity and density of field soils.’ Soil Survey Technical Monograph No. 9. (Soil Survey of England and Wales: Harpenden, UK)
Hess L, Meir P, Bingham IJ (2015) Comparative assessment of the sensitivity of oilseed rape and wheat to limited water supply. Annals of Applied Biology 167, 102–115.
| Comparative assessment of the sensitivity of oilseed rape and wheat to limited water supply.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Iriti M, Picchi V, Rossoni M, Gomarasca S, Ludwig N, Gargano M, Faoro F (2009) Chitosan antitranspirant activity is due to abscisic acid-dependent stomatal closure. Environmental and Experimental Botany 66, 493–500.
| Chitosan antitranspirant activity is due to abscisic acid-dependent stomatal closure.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXnsV2ku7g%3D&md5=021f6854e11f1755f62180bf36a648c5CAS |
Istanbulluoglu A, Arslan B, Gocmen E, Gezer E, Pasa C (2010) Effects of deficit irrigation regimes on the yield and growth of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). Biosystems Engineering 105, 388–394.
| Effects of deficit irrigation regimes on the yield and growth of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jensen CR, Mogensen VO, Mortensen G, Andersen MN, Schjoerring JK, Thage JH, Koribidis J (1996) Leaf photosynthesis and drought adaptation in field-grown oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). Australian Journal of Plant Physiology 23, 631–644.
| Leaf photosynthesis and drought adaptation in field-grown oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Liu F, Jensen CR, Andersen MN (2004) Pod set related to photosynthetic rate and endogenous ABA in soybeans subjected to different water regimes and exogenous ABA and BA at early reproductive stages. Annals of Botany 94, 405–411.
| Pod set related to photosynthetic rate and endogenous ABA in soybeans subjected to different water regimes and exogenous ABA and BA at early reproductive stages.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXovVWrsro%3D&md5=b2905d2b8428213135cc7939a731f9caCAS |
Mendham NJ, Shipway PA, Scott RK (1981) The effect of delayed sowing and weather on growth, development and yield of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus). The Journal of Agricultural Science 96, 389–416.
| The effect of delayed sowing and weather on growth, development and yield of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mogensen VO, Jensen CR, Mortensen G, Andersen MN, Schjoerring JK, Thage JH, Koribidis J (1997) Pod photosynthesis and drought adaptation of field grown rape (Brassica napus L.). European Journal of Agronomy 6, 295–307.
| Pod photosynthesis and drought adaptation of field grown rape (Brassica napus L.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Müller T, Lüttschwager D, Lentzsch P (2010) Recovery from drought stress at the shooting stage in oilseed rape (Brassica napus). Journal of Agronomy & Crop Science 196, 81–89.
| Recovery from drought stress at the shooting stage in oilseed rape (Brassica napus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Murchie EH, Lawson T (2013) Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis: a guide to good practice and understanding some new applications. Journal of Experimental Botany 64, 3983–3998.
Patil BB, De R (1976) Influence of antitranspirants on rapeseed (Brassica campestris) plants under water-stressed and non-stressed conditions. Plant Physiology 57, 941–943.
| Influence of antitranspirants on rapeseed (Brassica campestris) plants under water-stressed and non-stressed conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE28XkslegtL8%3D&md5=6a8f649aa8f1e0022f6bf6468b9c50aeCAS |
Patil BB, De R (1978) Studies on the effect of nitrogen fertilizer, row spacing and use of antitranspirants on rapeseed (Brassica campestris) grown under dryland conditions. The Journal of Agricultural Science 91, 257–264.
| Studies on the effect of nitrogen fertilizer, row spacing and use of antitranspirants on rapeseed (Brassica campestris) grown under dryland conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE1MXltFen&md5=97fe7c9dd02c4c7f4d4ae2ae5c9e57aaCAS |
Rowell DL (1994) ‘Soil science: methods and applications.’ (Longman Group: Harlow, UK)
Salter PJ, Goode JE (1967) ‘Crop responses to water at different stages of growth.’ (Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux: Farnham Royal, UK)
Solarova J, Pospisilova J, Slavik B (1981) Gas exchange regulation by changing of epidermal conductance with antitranspirants. Photosynthetica 15, 365–400.
Toogood JA (1958) A simplified textural classification diagram. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 38, 54–55.
| A simplified textural classification diagram.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vadez V, Kholova J, Medina S, Kakkera A, Anderberg H (2014) Transpiration efficiency: new insights into an old story. Journal of Experimental Botany 65, 6141–6153.
| Transpiration efficiency: new insights into an old story.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXitl2gsb8%3D&md5=5d30977dfe46c34cf1a46a805073abc1CAS |
Wang Y, Ying J, Kuzma M, Chalifoux M, Sample A, McArthur C, Huang Y (2005) Molecular tailoring of farnesylation for plant drought tolerance and yield protection. The Plant Journal 43, 413–424.
| Molecular tailoring of farnesylation for plant drought tolerance and yield protection.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXnsVCjur0%3D&md5=85ea53a5cd91de59ec2e28a6c574a605CAS |
Wang Y, Beaith M, Chalifoux M, Ying J, Uchacz T, Sarvas C, Huang Y (2009) Shoot-specific down-regulation of protein farnesyltransferase (α-subunit) for yield protection against drought in canola. Molecular Plant 2, 191–200.
| Shoot-specific down-regulation of protein farnesyltransferase (α-subunit) for yield protection against drought in canola.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXovV2mt78%3D&md5=94c1864e24ad8747c2c3ac9a8a32d30dCAS |
Weerasinghe MM, Kettlewell PS, Grove IG, Hare MC (2016) Evidence for improved pollen viability as the mechanism for film antitranspirant mitigation of drought damage to wheat yield. Crop & Pasture Science 67, 137–146.
| Evidence for improved pollen viability as the mechanism for film antitranspirant mitigation of drought damage to wheat yield.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC28Xjs1Oqtbk%3D&md5=7eea8b4fd331ab8ae1185d15f0610749CAS |
Westgate ME, Passioura JB, Munns R (1996) Water status and ABA content of floral organs in drought-stressed wheat. Australian Journal of Plant Physiology 23, 763–772.
| Water status and ABA content of floral organs in drought-stressed wheat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXms1GgsA%3D%3D&md5=bb59ba8c70bdce4c305b1f5a594d3737CAS |
Yang Z, Liu J, Tischer SV, Christmann A, Windisch W, Schnyder H, Grill E (2016) Leveraging abscisic acid receptors for efficient water use in Arabidopsis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 113, 6791–6796.
