Effect of Paclobutrazol and Mepiquat chloride on Growth, Culm strength and Lignin content in stem of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract:

A field experiment with the application of growth retardants such as paclobutrazol and mepiquat chloride on lodging resistance, plant height, culm strength and lignin content in rice (Oryza sativa L.) was conducted at a college farm, Agricultural college, Bapatla during Kharif season. The experiment was laid in Randomized Block Design which was replicated thrice to find out the effect of different concentrations of paclobutrazol and mepiquat chloride on lodging, plant height, culm strength and lignin content. The nine treatments in each replication consisting of two different concentrations of paclobutrazol and mepiquat chloride at two different stages of crop growth (100 and 200 ppm paclobutrazol and mepiquat chloride at 35 DAT and panicle initiation stage) and a control. Results indicated a significant difference in lodging percentage, plant height, culm strength and lignin content under different concentrations of paclobutrazol and mepiquat chloride. Data on different parameters were collected at 30 days intervals. Significantly higher lignin content, culm strength, and lower lodging percentage were recorded with foliar application of 100 ppm mepiquat chloride spray at panicle initiation stage (T7) when compared to other treatments.