The Response of Vegetative Growth, Chlorophyll Content and Yield of Wheat to Grain Soaking in High Concentration of Cycocel (CCC).

Abstract

The response of vegetative growth, leaf chlorophyll content, grain and straw yield of the semi-dwarf spring wheat cultivar “Sidi Misri 1” (T. aestivum L.) to grain soaking in a very high concentration (up to 40,000 ppm) of CCC prior to sowing were studied in a field experiment atTripoli, S.P.L.A.J.

Compared to the control, grain soaking in 20,000 and 40,000 ppm CCC for 24 hours significantly delayed seedling emergence, reduced shoot length and shoot dry weight, increased root length and root dry weight as estimated three weeks after sowing.

Both chlorophyll a and b contents in leaves of plants 35 days after sowing were not affected by CCC treatments when expressed on the basis of fresh and dry weights; whereas a decrease in both chlorophyll pigments, ranging from 22 to 40%, was observed on the basis of leaf area. The same magnitude of reduction was found with leaf specific weight.

When grains were sown dry they produced 3.739 tons/ha grains, 10.500 tons/ha straw, 3.1 head-bearing tillers/plant, and 8.8 cm spike length. The corresponding values for grains soaked in 20,000 and 40,000 ppm CCC prior to sowing, respectively, were 4.461 and 4.822 tons/ha grains, 8.550 and 8.700 tons/ha straw, 5.0 head-bearing tillers/plant, 9.9 and 10.0 cm spike length.