Response of four wheat cultivars to applications of (2-chloroethyl)trimethylammonium chloride (CCC)

Abstract

The effect of CCC on the grain yield of two Australian and two Mexican semi-dwarf cultivars, with two seeding rates, and two levels of N fertilizer, was studied in the held. Grain yield increases, particularly in CV. Timgalen, were produced by CCC through the control of lodging, an increase in the number of grains per ear and an increase in the number of ears per unit area. Even where only a small effect on height was produced in CV. Pitic 62, the grain yield was increased as a result of more ear-bearing tillers. No significant grain yield increases were found in R.K.F. The delay in ear emergence in some cultivars as a result of CCC did not change the number of florets formed but it may have improved floral fertility as indicated by the higher number of grains per ear at harvest. The differential response of the cultivars to CCC is demonstrated by the plant height data. In decreasing order of height reduction they were Robin, Timgalen, Pitic 62 and R.K.F.