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Lee Tarpley, in cooperation with Fred Turner and Mike Jund, is examining the agronomic and physiological effects of selected PGRs applied late in main-crop development. The hormonal-like activities of these PGRs can potentially be used to stimulate ratoon tiller development when main-crop yield and quality are not affected. In the first year of the study, gibberellin (a research formulation) applied three days after main-crop flowering increased: 1) ratoon tiller earliness (more of the ratoon tillers tend to be in elongation rather than in bud-swelling, when measured two weeks before main crop harvest), 2) ratoon tiller number about 50%, and yield (400 pounds per acre). Cytokinin (or benzyl adenine, which is used in some commercial PGR mixes for rice) increased ratoon tiller number about 50%. |
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We are also studying how the various parts of the rice plant temporarily store and use carbohydrates (sugars and starch) and nitrogen-containing compounds (such as protein). The plant naturally uses these reserves to help fill the grain, to help ratoon tiller establishment, and to help ratoon grain filling. The PGR applications and other management practices can potentially be used to direct the timing and extent of the plant’s use of these reserves. The 2002 field sites are in Beaumont and Eagle Lake. The emphasis of this second year of the study is on establishing the rates, timing and combinations for three
PGRs. Tesfamichael (Tesfa) Kebrom, a TAMU graduate student, is working on this and other aspects of the project. Ronnie Porter is providing technical research assistance. Alicia Delgado, Casey Hall and Landon Reneau are helping for the summer. This research is sponsored by the TRRF Board. |
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