Effect of Nitrogen and Trinexapac-Ethyl Rates on the SPAD Index of Wheat Leaves

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) and trinexapac-ethyl (TE) rates on the SPAD index in wheat flag leaf. The treatments were five N rates (30, 60, 90, 120, 150 kg ha^?1) combined with four TE rates (0, 63, 125, 188 g ha^?1). The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design with four repetitions. SPAD index, leaf N content and grain yield showed quadratic response to the increase in N rates, whereas area, wet and dry weight of flag leaf presented linear increase. TE caused linear increase in SPAD index, linear decrease in leaf area, reduction in grain yield with smaller N rates and increase with larger N rates. The N content, and the wet and dry weight of flag leaf were not affected by TE. SPAD calibration to estimate N status in wheat should be specific for each TE rate.