Canopy application of film antitranspirants over the reproductive phase enhances yield and yield-related physiological traits of water-stressed oilseed rape (Brassica napus)
Michele Faralli A C , Ivan G. Grove A , Martin C. Hare A , Roger D. Boyle B , Kevin S. Williams B , Fiona M. K. Corke B 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 National Plant Phenomics Centre, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3EB, UK.
C Corresponding author. Email: mfaralli@harper-adams.ac.uk
Crop and Pasture Science 67(7) 751-765 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP15421
Submitted: 15 December 2015 Accepted: 7 March 2016 Published: 28 July 2016
Abstract
Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) yield is strongly decreased by water deficit, and crop-management solutions are urgently required considering the emerging difficulties in breeding for drought-tolerant varieties. Film-forming antitranspirants (polymers) are agrochemicals that, applied to the crop canopy, mechanically block the stomata and decrease canopy transpiration. In this study, the drought-protection efficacy of an adaxial-surface application at the flowering stage of two film-forming treatments (poly-1-p-menthene and di-1-p-menthene) was investigated in pot-grown, droughted oilseed rape over two glasshouse experiments. Over the drought period, the two compounds reduced leaf stomatal conductance (P < 0.001), and as the soil moisture deficit increased, they sustained carbon assimilation and improved water-use efficiency with differing efficacy. Following the antitranspirant treatments, ABA concentration in leaves and reproductive organs was severely reduced and this was accompanied by significant improvements in leaf and flower–pod water potential. Drought significantly decreased the seed dry matter production of oilseed rape plants, by 39% on average. The treatments significantly increased seed dry matter by 13% (poly-1-p-menthene) and 17% (di-1-p-menthene), on average, compared with the unsprayed droughted plants, as a result of a significant increase in number of pods per plant, by 11% and 13%, respectively. The results suggest that film-forming compounds may be a useful crop-management tool to avoid severe drought-induced yield losses in oilseed rape by improving water-use efficiency and plant water status, thus alleviating ABA signalling under water deficit.
Additional keywords: abscisic acid, canola, drought, gas-exchange, plant water status.
References
Abdullah AS, Aziz M, Siddique K, Flower K (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 |
Andersen MN, Asch F, Wu Y, Jensen CR, Næsted H, Mogensen VO, Koch KE (2002) Soluble invertase expression is an early target of drought stress during the critical, abortion-sensitive phase of young ovary development in maize. Plant Physiology 130, 591–604.
| Soluble invertase expression is an early target of drought stress during the critical, abortion-sensitive phase of young ovary development in maize.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XotVKnt74%3D&md5=fdeef7b3a7479cce19815c8223ad3f86CAS | 12376627PubMed |
Anderson JE, Kreith F (1978) Effect of film-forming and silicone antitranspirants on four herbaceous plant species. Plant and Soil 49, 161–173.
| Effect of film-forming and silicone antitranspirants on four herbaceous plant species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE1cXhs1Ggsrs%3D&md5=219deaed3db1ce1cdbec6f7128f00c7bCAS |
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=9f24581a003b7b306982fbccfc4298ebCAS |
Bouttier C, Morgan DG (1992) Development of oilseed rape buds, flowers and pods in vitro. Journal of Experimental Botany 43, 1089–1096.
| Development of oilseed rape buds, flowers and pods in vitro.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK38Xls1Orsro%3D&md5=84161753bd6cac9a59e915dfe939df3cCAS |
Cattivelli L, Rizza F, Badeck FW, Mazzucotelli E, Mastrangelo AM, Francia E, Mare C, Tondelli A, Stanca AM (2008) Drought tolerance improvement in crop plants: An integrative view from breeding to genomics. Field Crops Research 105, 1–14.
| Drought tolerance improvement in crop plants: An integrative view from breeding to genomics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Champolivier L, Merrien A (1996) Effects of water stress applied at different growth stages to Brassica napus 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 on yield, yield components and seed quality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Davenport DC, Fisher MA, Hagan RM (1972) Some counteractive effects of antitranspirants. Plant Physiology 49, 722–724.
| Some counteractive effects of antitranspirants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE38XktlSiurc%3D&md5=b3cc623803c065c1fb1573e1698c531fCAS | 16658036PubMed |
de Bouille P, Sotta B, Migniac 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=5096812fff543d9e33f33bd2bb2ec1c0CAS | 16666891PubMed |
Deleens E, Marcotte L, Schwebel‐Dugue N, Vartanian N (1989) Stable isotope carbon study: long‐term partitioning during progressive drought stress in Brassica napus var. oleifera. Plant, Cell & Environment 12, 615–620.
| Stable isotope carbon study: long‐term partitioning during progressive drought stress in Brassica napus var. oleifera.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL1MXmt12jurw%3D&md5=a437863a39f98f4b127de67dac7244a7CAS |
Diepenbrock W (2000) Yield analysis of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.): a review. Field Crops Research 67, 35–49.
| Yield analysis of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.): a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
FAOSTAT (2014) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Available at: http://faostat3.fao.org/faostat-gateway/go/to/home/E (accessed 15 December 2015)
Gale J, Poljakoff-Mayber A (1965) Effect of antitranspirant treatment on leaf temperatures. Plant & Cell Physiology 6, 111–115.
Georges F, Das S, Ray H, Bock C, Nokhrina K, Kolla VA, Keller W (2009) Over‐expression of Brassica napus phosphatidylinositol‐phospholipase C2 in canola induces significant changes in gene expression and phytohormone distribution patterns, enhances drought tolerance and promotes early flowering and maturation. Plant, Cell & Environment 32, 1664–1681.
| Over‐expression of Brassica napus phosphatidylinositol‐phospholipase C2 in canola induces significant changes in gene expression and phytohormone distribution patterns, enhances drought tolerance and promotes early flowering and maturation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhsFKrsrvP&md5=0e8817049df8d428ef7254aa8cf22e3eCAS |
Goreta S, Leskovar DI, Jifon JL (2007) Gas exchange, water status, and growth of pepper seedlings exposed to transient water deficit stress are differentially altered by antitranspirants. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 132, 603–610.
Habekotté B (1993) Quantitative analysis of pod formation, seed set and seed filling in winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) under field conditions. Field Crops Research 35, 21–33.
| Quantitative analysis of pod formation, seed set and seed filling in winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) under field conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
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=e0c5bca1791c37b578801916fd83d670CAS |
Kettlewell PS (2014) Waterproofing wheat—a re-evaluation of film antitranspirants in the context of reproductive drought physiology. Outlook on Agriculture 43, 25–29.
Kettlewell PS, Heath WL, Haigh I (2010) Yield enhancement of droughted wheat by film antitranspirant application: rationale and evidence. Agricultural Science 1, 143–147.
| Yield enhancement of droughted wheat by film antitranspirant application: rationale and evidence.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
King RW, Wardlaw IF, Evans LT (1967) Effect of assimilates utilization on photosynthetic rate in wheat. Planta 77, 261–276.
| Effect of assimilates utilization on photosynthetic rate in wheat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC2cvkslCnug%3D%3D&md5=443a367c152ad5c9f8c6f9c89799a8b2CAS | 24522544PubMed |
Lancashire PD, Bleiholder H, Boom TVD, Langelüddeke P, Stauss R, Weber E, Witzenberger A (1991) A uniform decimal code for growth stages of crops and weeds. Annals of Applied Biology 119, 561–601.
Latocha P, Ciechocinska M, Pietkiewicz S, Kalaji MH (2009) Preliminary assessment of antitranspirant Vapor Gard influence on Actinidia arguta growing under drought stress conditions. Horticulture and Landscape Architecture 30, 149–159.
Liu F, Andersen MN, Jensen CR (2003) Loss of pod set caused by drought stress is associated with water status and ABA content of reproductive structures in soybean. Functional Plant Biology 30, 271–280.
| Loss of pod set caused by drought stress is associated with water status and ABA content of reproductive structures in soybean.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXjtVKlt7g%3D&md5=9f692d4bb81f3b1b1128c415d5982fbaCAS |
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 |
Moftah AE, Al-Humaid AI (2005) Effects of antitranspirants on water relations and photosynthetic rate of cultivated tropical plant (Polianthes tuberosa L.). Polish Journal of Ecology 53, 165–175.
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 |
Morgan JM, King RW (1984) Association between loss of leaf turgor, abscisic acid levels and seed set in two wheat cultivars. Functional Plant Biology 11, 143–150.
Palliotti A, Poni S, Berrios JG, Bernizzoni F (2010) Vine performance and grape composition as affected by early‐season source limitation induced with anti-transpirants in two red Vitis vinifera L. cultivars. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research 16, 426–433.
| Vine performance and grape composition as affected by early‐season source limitation induced with anti-transpirants in two red Vitis vinifera L. cultivars.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhsVSqur3E&md5=733f9bc58deb73c40abb45a5592b0588CAS |
Palliotti A, Panara F, Famiani F, Sabbatini P, Howel SG, Silvestroni O, Poni S (2013) Postverasion application of antitranspirant Di-1-p menthene to control sugar accumulation in Sangiovese grapevines. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture 64, 378–385.
| Postverasion application of antitranspirant Di-1-p menthene to control sugar accumulation in Sangiovese grapevines.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhs1SlsbvO&md5=04b40e4d08a86cb720edd156c3a388f8CAS |
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=e3c4be89f7942342691048bff8a32878CAS |
Prasad PVV, Staggenborg SA, Ristic Z (2008) Impacts of drought and/or heat stress on physiological, developmental, growth, and yield processes of crop plants. In ‘Response of crops to limited water: Understanding and modeling water stress effects on plant growth processes’. Advances in Agricultural Systems Modeling Series 1. pp. 301–355. (ASA, CSSA, SSSA: Madison, WI, USA)
Qaderi MM, Kurepin LV, Reid DM (2006) Growth and physiological responses of canola (Brassica napus) to three components of global climate change: temperature, carbon dioxide and drought. Physiologia Plantarum 128, 710–721.
| Growth and physiological responses of canola (Brassica napus) to three components of global climate change: temperature, carbon dioxide and drought.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXjslQ%3D&md5=a09b7bfe4b20fb75de870114b64e12b5CAS |
Richards RA, Thurling N (1978) Variation between and within species of rapeseed (Brassica campestris and B. napus) in response to drought stress. II. Growth and development under natural drought stresses. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 29, 479–490.
| Variation between and within species of rapeseed (Brassica campestris and B. napus) in response to drought stress. II. Growth and development under natural drought stresses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Saeed H (2008) Investigation of partial rootzone drying in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.). PhD Thesis, Harper Adams University, Newport, UK.
Sharp RG, Davies WJ (2009) Variability among species in the apoplastic pH signalling response to drying soils. Journal of Experimental Botany 60, 4363–4370.
| Variability among species in the apoplastic pH signalling response to drying soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhtlGitL%2FK&md5=a968086aada6825cd23944f93cecdf2eCAS | 19726633PubMed |
Shukla A, Sawhney VK (1994) Abscisic acid: one of the factors affecting male sterility in Brassica napus. Physiologia Plantarum 91, 522–528.
| Abscisic acid: one of the factors affecting male sterility in Brassica napus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2cXltVChtb0%3D&md5=6888a5d197266450e27ed4d96d2bd83fCAS |
Solarova J, Pospisilova J, Slavik B (1981) Gas exchange regulation by changing of epidermal conductance with antitranspirants. Photosynthetica 15, 365–400.
Wan J, Griffiths R, Ying J, McCourt P, Huang Y (2009) Development of drought-tolerant canola (Brassica napus L.) through genetic modulation of ABA-mediated stomatal responses. Crop Science 49, 1539–1554.
| Development of drought-tolerant canola (Brassica napus L.) through genetic modulation of ABA-mediated stomatal responses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhtFCgtbzF&md5=856661241ae07e8ddc635725dcbe189eCAS |
Wang X, Wu W, Assman SM (1998) Differential responses of abaxial and adaxial guard cells of broad bean to abscisic acid and calcium. Plant Physiology 118, 1421–1429.
| Differential responses of abaxial and adaxial guard cells of broad bean to abscisic acid and calcium.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXis1c%3D&md5=f0e80ab0ceb01ab4a42afb9049b9d51cCAS | 9847117PubMed |
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=c2a65d55e1556510b2787c5292b3fe0bCAS | 16045476PubMed |
Weerasinghe M (2013) Film antitranspirants to increase yield of droughted wheat. PhD Thesis, Harper Adams University, Newport, UK.
Westgate ME, Passioura JB, Munns R (1996) Water status and ABA content of floral organs in drought-stressed wheat. Functional Plant Biology 23, 763–772.
Wilkinson S, Kudoyarova GR, Veselov DS, Arkhipova TN, Davies WJ (2012) Plant hormone interactions: innovative targets for crop breeding and management. Journal of Experimental Botany 63, 3499–3509.
| Plant hormone interactions: innovative targets for crop breeding and management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XotVSitL8%3D&md5=52342bb3c7e342d798c7b3c596145aadCAS | 22641615PubMed |
