Effect of cycocel in the prevention of lodging in wheat [triticum aestivuni] with the application of nitrogen fertilizer

ABSTRACT

The effect of a plant growth regulator [retardant] -Cycocel [C.C.C.] and nitrogen on three varieties of wheat were studied under Jos-Plateau ecological condition. Pre-seeding treatments of the wheat seeds with Cycocel at three different concentrations [0, 250 and 500 ppm] and two levels of nitrogen [90 and 120 kg/ha] were carried out. There were significant reduction in plant [stem] height and internodal lengths at both levels of Cycocel treatments [250 and 500 ppm] and the two levels of N-fertilizer, on one hand. On the other hand, there were marked increase in stem girth at both levels of Cycocel treatments and the two levels of applied nitrogen. It is concluded that wheat varieties that are highly susceptible to lodging at optimum or fairly high N-fertilizer application can be corrected with Cycocel treatment resulting in wheat plants with sturdy and compact appearance