Tolerence of Wheat and Barley at Different Stages of Growth to 2, 4-D Sprays

Abstract

The tolerance of wheat and barley to 2, 4-D sprayed at six stages of growth, ranging from the 3-leaf stage up to the ripe grain stage, was studied. Five concentrations ranging from 500 to 8000 ppm (a.e.) of 2, 4-D were tested.

All the concentrations sprayed at the 3-leaf stage were phytotoxic to wheat and barley, whereas at the 5-leaf, jointing, and booting-to-heading stages, only 4000 and 8000 ppm were phytotoxic and caused lodging in the two crops. Reductions in plant height were significant at all concentrations used in the case of barley, and at 1000 ppm and above in the case of wheat.

The 8000 ppm treatment, applied at the jointing and anthesis stages, caused significant reductions in the grain yield of wheat; in the case of barley, significant reductions in the grain yield were observed at concentrations ranging from 2000 to 8000 ppm, sprayed at the 3-leaf, booting-to-heading, arid anthesis stages. At the 5-leaf stage, the 1000 ppm treatment gave a highly significant increase of 18.7% in the grain yield over the unweeded check. Significant reductions in the 1000-kernel weight and test weight of the two crops were observed only at the higher concentrations used.

The protein percentages of wheat and barley seeds were significantly increased as a result of the application of 2, 4-D at 2000 to 8000 ppm, sprayed at the 3-leaf, jointing, booting-to-heading, and anthesis stages of growth. However, significant reductions in the protein yield of the two crops were observed at these treatments. No significant effects were observed on the straw yield and germination percentages of wheat and barley as a result of 2, 4-D applications at the various stages of growth.