Reduced stem nonstructural carbohydrates caused by plant growth retardant had adverse effects on maize yield under low density.

ABSTRACT: Enhancing maize lodging resistance with plant growth retardants (PGRs) is common in maize production. However, the underlying mechanisms of yield formation as affected by PGRs are still poorly understood. A field experiment contained PGR application (a mixture of ethephon and cycocel, EC) with normal (T1) and double (T2) doses and water control (CK) was conducted at four maize plant densities (4.5, 6.0, 7.5, and 9.0 plants m^-2) in 2020 and 2021. In this two-year study, the grain yield and kernel number per ear (KNE) of EC treatments were reduced by 4.8-9.0% and 3.3-12.2%, respectively, compared with CK under densities of 4.5, 6.0, and 7.5 plants m^-2 without lodging. However, under the density of 9.0 plants m^-2, EC treatments had no pronounced effects on gra

SUBMITTER: Tang Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9632278 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature