9:00 am - 10:00 am
4-10C Agriculture/Forestry Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB
Event details: A graduate exam seminar is a presentation of the student’s final research project for their degree.
This is an ALES MSc Final Exam Seminar by Bishnu Pandey. This seminar is open to the general public to attend.
Zoom Link: https://ualbertaca.zoom.us/j/94543279577?pwd=K3V1cUcyTW1rMndnR2pBYzFLaHJ3dz09
MSc with Drs. Edward Bork and Nityananda Khanal.
Thesis Topic: Effects of Plant Growth Regulators on Plant Phenotypes and Yield Components of Grass Seed Crops.
Abstract:
Creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra L.), meadow brome (Bromus riparius Rehmann) and timothy (Phleum pratense L.) are important grasses for seed production in the Peace River region of Alberta. The seed production of these grasses is limited by lodging under abundant rainfall conditions. Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) can control lodging and seed loss, especially when grasses are grown under high fertility and low moisture deficits. This study quantified the morphology, lodging and seed yield of grasses in response to PGRs at AAFC-Beaverlodge, using a field experiment comprised of a split-plot design. PGR treatments were main plots while spring N (urea) was added at 40 kg ha-1 as subplots on 3-4 yr. old grass stand. Three PGRs were tested: trinexapac-ethyl (TE), chlormequat Chloride (CC) and ethephon (ETH), applied at 0.200 kg, 1.116 kg, and 0.6 kg a.i. ha-1 at the two-node development stage and compared to checks. TE shortened internode and tiller heights, and reduced lodging in meadow brome and timothy. Not all PGRs altered grass seed attributes such as panicle length, seed weight, seed number, and total seed yield. Spring N increased biomass and seed yield in timothy and meadow brome without significant lodging. Effects of PGRs were more pronounced in altering grass morphology under normal rainfall, particularly in meadow brome and red fescue. An accompanying greenhouse study on juvenile grasses showed that TE reduced root, shoot, and total biomass for up to 40 and 55 days in timothy and fescue after application, respectively, with no affects on meadow brome. Both TE and CC reduced plant height and lodging severity. Most morpho-physical attributes did not change due to PGRs, including quantum yield of photosystem II. However, TE and CC increased chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents in timothy. Overall, TE was more effective in reducing plant height and lodging of timothy and meadow brome under field conditions and did the same for all grasses (including fescue), in the greenhouse. Long-term field studies under different lodging conditions could lead to the development of more efficient PGRs utilization strategies that maximize forage yield and seed harvestability.
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