Antitranspirants and there effect on sunflower growth
Answers
seedlings were exposed to C14O2 24 hours after application of Aqua Gro, CS 6432, , more activity was recovered from treated seedlings than from control seedlings 1 day after exposure to C14O2. However, less activity was recovered when seedlings were exposed to C14O2 11 days after treatment with any antitranspirant except Clear Spray. Clear Spray, Folicote, and Keykote reduced accumulation of photosynthate, but their effects diminished with time. They also reduced the rate of loss of currently produced photosynthate, with the utilization effect most pronounced in Folicote-treated seedlings. All antitranspirants tested, except Aqua Gro and CS 6432, initially reduced the rate of conversion of labelled photosynthates into ethanol-insoluble components when treated seedlings were exposed to C14O2 24 hours after antitranspirant application. More labelled ethanol-insoluble components were recovered from antitranspirant-treated seedlings than from controls 14 days after exposure of seedlings to C14O2. The type of spray, time between antitranspirant application and exposure to C14O2, as well as the time between exposure and seedling harvest, had significant effects on C14 assimilation and redistribution of soluble and insoluble assimilates in various plant parts. Many of the observed effects may not have been directly due to the antitranspirants alone but may have been secondary effects caused by antitranspirant-induced changes in photosynthesis and plant water balance.