Exogenous abscisic acid increases carbohydrate accumulation and redistribution to the grains in wheat grown under field conditions of soil water restriction.

TRAVAGLIA C; COHEN AC; REINOSO H; CASTILLO C; BOTTINI R

JOURNAL OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATION

SPRINGER

Año: 2007 vol. 26 p. 285 - 289

0721-7595

This work investigates the effects of abscisic acid (ABA) on physiologic parameters related to yield in wheat (Triticum aestivum) grown under field conditions with water restriction ranging between 45.7% and 49.5% of field capacity during anthesis and postanthesis. ABA (300 mg Lÿ1) was sprayed onto the plants at the beginning of shoot lengthening which significantly promoted leaf area and higher concentrations of chlorophylls and carotenoids in flag leaf at anthesis. ABA also increased soluble car- bohydrates in shoots at anthesis, which were then re- exported to the grains at maturity. This correlated with a yield increase that was achieved by a higher number and weight of grains per spike, but protein content was not significantly affected.