The effect of the plant growth retardant RSW0411 on assimilate distribution in evening primrose

• Published in: Field crops research Vol. 36; no. 1; pp. 59 - 67
• Main Authors: Collins, C.D., Scarisbrick, D.H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 1994; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Assimilate distribution; Biological and medical sciences; CARBON; Carbon-14; CARBONE; CARBONO; Economic plant physiology; Evening primrose; FEUILLE; FLORACION; FLORAISON; FLOWERING; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Growth and development; GROWTH INHIBITORS; Growth regulators; HOJAS; INHIBIDORES DEL CRECIMIENTO; LEAVES; MADUREZ; MATURITE; MATURITY; OENOTHERA; ORGANE REPRODUCTEUR VEGETAL; ORGANOS REPRODUCTORES VEGETALES; Plant growth regulator; PLANT REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS; RETARDATEUR DE CROISSANCE; RSW0411; Carbon-14; Plant growth regulator; RSW0411; Evening primrose; Assimilate distribution; Translocation; Triazole; Metabolite; Dry matter; Onagraceae; Growth regulator treatment; Radioisotope; Carbon; Medicinal plant; Dicotyledones; Oenothera; Seed; Angiospermae; Spermatophyta; Yield
• ISSN: 0378-4290; 1872-6852
• DOI: 10.1016/0378-4290(94)90053-1

The pattern of dry weight and carbon allocation was studied in the evening primrose crop Oenothera spp., from the commencement of flowering to maturity. Following 14CO 2 exposure, leaves were the main sources of assimilates with reproductive parts as the main sinks. A developmental pattern for evening primrose is described in which roots provide resources for stem growth. Subsequently the reproductive structures on the mainstem develop followed by the reproductive structures of the sidestems. The sidestems behave as independent physiological units until late in the season when they import assimilate from the mainstem leaves. The application of the plant growth regulator RSW0411 increased the weight of reproductive structures on the mainstem. The consequences of this for yield and agronomic practice are discussed.