Waterproofing Wheat — A Re-Evaluation of Film Antitranspirants in the Context of Reproductive Drought Physiology

Abstract

Film antitranspirants are polymers sprayed on plants to reduce loss of water from transpiration. Early reviews of film antitranspirants logically concluded that the polymers would not be useful on crops because photosynthesis was also reduced. This conclusion is re-evaluated here, taking account of more recent knowledge of drought damage mechanisms. Research at Harper Adams University shows that film antitranspirants applied to wheat before the drought-sensitive stage of meiosis can increase yield, despite reducing photosynthesis, and that this increase is associated with improved pollen viability. It is concluded that use of film antitranspirants has potential as a crop management technique to reduce drought damage to wheat, and possibly to many other crops.

Keywords

terpene polymer water stress meiosis pollen grain yield

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