ABSTRACT
Growth regulators could be used to avoid wheat lodging, however may show advantages due to increase in solar radiation intercepted and carbon reallocation. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of a growth regulator (trinexapac-ethyl) on vegetative development, production components and grain quality of two wheat cultivars distinct in lodging. An experiment was done in greenhouse and another at field. In greenhouse were evaluated vegetative development variables (plant stature, leaf area, ratio root:shoot, length and dry mass of roots) in wheat plants with and without application of trinexapac-ethyl on first node visible and second node noticeable. At field were evaluated vegetative development, yield and quality grain variables (hectoliter mass and protein content) in wheat plants with variations of trinexapac-ethyl applications (untreated control, tillering and first node visible and second node noticeable). The growth regulator trinexapac-ethyl increases the ratio root:shoot in Mirante cultivar and increases the yield in Quartzo and Mirante cultivars. However, using the growth regulator, there is no interference in the grain quality of these cultivars.
Key words:
trinexapac-ethyl; growth reducer; Triticum aestivum L.; management
