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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Effects of ethephon on anatomical changes in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) stems associated with lodging

Mariano A. Mangieri A D , Anita I. Mantese B , Alejandro Alvarez Schürmann C and Claudio A. Chimenti A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A IFEVA, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CONICET, Facultad de Agronomía, Av. San Martín 4453, C1417DSE Buenos Aires, Argentina.

B Cátedra de Botánica General, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Av. San Martín 4453, C1417DSE Buenos Aires, Argentina.

C Cátedra de Fisiología Vegetal, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Av. San Martín 4453, C1417DSE Buenos Aires, Argentina.

D Corresponding author. Email: mangieri@agro.uba.ar

Crop and Pasture Science 67(9) 988-999 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP15375
Submitted: 11 November 2015  Accepted: 26 June 2016   Published: 19 August 2016

Abstract

Stem lodging causes significant losses in crops of cereals and oilseeds. The aim of the present study was to identify the anatomical causes that generate differences in response to stem lodging in sunflower. Two sunflower hybrids (Stay-Green, resistant to stem lodging; Zenit, susceptible to stem lodging) were grown at three crop population densities and artificially lodged at two advanced ontogeny stages (R7 and R8), which were preceded by ethephon application near the flower button stage (R1). Measurements included stem failure moment of force (Bs), thickness of primary and secondary structures in the stem lodging zone (t), diameter of the stem lodging zone (di), sclerenchyma packages area (sp), secondary xylem tissue area (xt) and yield. Stay-Green had significantly higher values for Bs, t, di, sp and xt. At higher crop densities and more advanced ontogeny stages these parameters were reduced, favouring stem lodging, although the effects were ameliorated by ethephon application through anatomical modifications. Zenit exhibited the greatest responses to ethephon application. The present study is the first field study identifying anatomical changes causing stem lodging and intraspecific variability in sunflowers. The information provided can be used by geneticists in selection programs for stem lodging tolerance in the context of increasing crop population densities to improve sunflower yield.

Additional keywords: ethylene, tolerance to lodging.


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