Film antitranspirants increase yield in drought stressed wheat plants by maintaining high grain number

摘要: Abstract We investigated the use of film-forming antitranspirants (AT) to reduce transpiration and alleviate adverse effects late-season drought on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth yield. Two experiments were conducted in a controlled-temperature glasshouse from April November 2014, compare two watering regimes (well watered water deficit) three AT treatments (unsprayed control, sprayed before boot swollen anthesis complete). measured plant use, rate, stomatal conductance photosynthesis. Relative leaf turgor was real time using non-destructive method patch clamp pressure. Drought stress reduced daily plants after about four days. In contrast, these measurements rapidly declined soon application both well-watered water-deficit plants. Nevertheless, once soil moisture deficit increased markedly, AT-treated maintained significantly higher levels photosynthesis than untreated grain yield unsprayed control by more 40%, compared plants, mainly due fewer grains per spike. with prior most drought-sensitive stage only 14%. These results suggest that has potential improve yields drought, as is common semiarid regions; although, research required test wider applicability field conditions.