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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 48(9)

Effect of surface application of benzylaminopurine before and during water deficit on herbage production and quality

J. M. Lee A E , K. Elborough B C , D. Whittaker B , D. J. Donaghy D and J. R. Roche D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A DairyNZ Limited, Private Bag 3221, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.

B ViaLactia BioSciences, PO Box 109185, Auckland 1061, New Zealand.

C Present address: HortResearch, 120 Mount Albert Road, Auckland 1025, New Zealand.

D University of Tasmania, PO Box 3253, Burnie, Tas. 7320, Australia.

E Corresponding author. Email: julia.lee@dairynz.co.nz

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48(9) 1232-1236 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA07075
Submitted: 15 March 2007  Accepted: 4 July 2008   Published: 7 August 2008

Abstract

Insufficient water availability is one of the most serious environmental stresses for a plant and can be a major limitation to herbage production in many regions. Plant hormones, such as cytokinins, have been reported to reduce the detrimental effects of low water availability in many different plant species. However, there is little research available concerning the effect on pasture grasses. The aim of the present study was to quantify the effect of surface applications of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) before and during water deficit on herbage growth and quality of perennial ryegrass–white clover pastures. Pastures fertilised with BAP were compared with unfertilised pastures and pastures receiving nitrogen. Exogenous BAP application did not significantly affect herbage production or quality relative to unfertilised pastures. Nitrogen fertiliser increased total herbage production, but had little effect on herbage quality compared with BAP. The failure of surface applications of exogenous BAP to improve herbage production or quality suggests that it is not an appropriate method to enhance plant tolerance to water deficit at the concentration applied in this study.


Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the statistical expertise of Barbara Dow, the help afforded by Scott Farm staff and the technical expertise of Glenise Ferguson, Jacqueline Kimber and Talia and Jordan van der Wel. This project was funded by ViaLactia BioSciences.


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