Comparative analyses of the effect of triacontanol on photosynthesis, photorespiration and growth of tomato (C3-plant) and maize (C4-plant)

Abstract

Tomato (C3-plants) and maize (C4-plants) were grown in a nutrient solution to which triacontanol was added twice a week. After about 4 weeks the triacontanol treatment caused a significant increase in the dry weight of the tomato plants. Leaf area and dry weight measurements of tomato leaves at different stages of development showed that the largest increase in growth was obtained when triacontanol treatment was initiated before bud formation. In maize, no effect of the triacontanol treatment on dry wieght was observed. Photosynthesis was inhibited by 27% in young leaves from triacontanol-treated tomato plants and 39% in the controls, when the oxygen concentration was raised from 2% to 21%. In maize no change in photosynthesis could be observed, neither after altered oxygen concentration nor after triacontanol treatment. The difference in the response of C3- and C4-plants to triacontanol indicates that it regulates processes related to photosynthesis.

Effect of triacontanol on photosynthesis, alkaloid content and growth in opium poppy (Papaver Somniferum L.)

“…on vegetables [18], cereals [19,5] and horticultural crops [8] are well documented . These are associated with increased protein content, water uptake [10], uptake of elements [17] and photosynthetic CO 2 fixation [8] . Most previous studies on Tria . have concentrated on physiological aspects of crops leading to effects on components of yield .…”

Yield of tomato and maize in response to foliar and root applications of triacontanol

“…We have observed in previous experiments that TRIA applied in the nutrient solution in which tomato plants were grown enhanced their vegetative growth, photosynthetic rate and decreased the rate of photorespiration. However, TRIA showed no effect on the vegetative growth, nor photosynthesis of maize [2] .…”

Landscape effects on the abundance and larval diet of the polyphagous pest Helicoverpa armigera in cotton fields in North Benin

“…19 . The proportion of tomato plants in the landscape may explain a significant proportion of individuals having fed on C 3 plants, because tomato plants, like cotton, have a C 3 photosynthetic pathway 64 Further studies should focus on tomato plants as larval host plants with the development of a marker, but the biochemical tomato marker tomatine has been difficult to implement. 65 Resistance to insecticides used for tomato crops should also be investigated.…”