Abstract
The exogenous application of salicylic acid prevents plant damage caused by various abiotic stresses (drought, high and low temperatures, salinity) and helps plants to build resistance to biotic stresses (pathogens). Acetylsalicylic acid, which is a synthetic salicylic acid derivative, has the same properties. In the face of climate change and a greater likelihood of extreme weather events, the use of these acids can significantly help to ensure proper growth and development of plants, especially sensitive species, even under stress conditions. The problem, however, is choosing the right dose (concentration) and time of application, and individual species sensitivity. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of acetylsalicylic acid on the growth and yield parameters of spring wheat. A field trial was carried out in 2013 and 2014 at the Institute of Plant Protection—National Research Institute in Poznan (Poland). The experiment was established on spring wheat cv. ‘Tybalt’, in four replications. Acetylsalicylic acid was tested in two concentrations: 0.3 and 0.5 mM. Each concentration was applied to the crop twice at growth stage BBCH 29 (end of tillering) and 7 days afterwards, and at growth stage BBCH 37 (flag leaf just visible) and 7 days afterwards. The study evaluated 12 traits of the crop, including plant height, chlorophyll content in the flag leaf, length of the ear, and quality and quantity parameters of the yield. The study showed that both the selection of the appropriate concentration and the time of acetylsalicylic acid application have a significant impact on the growth and development of the wheat. The acetylsalicylic acid increased the amount of chlorophyll in the leaves, the number of grains in the ear, the mass of a thousand grains, and grain yield. The present study did not confirm significant differences between the acetylsalicylic acid concentrations. The concentration of 0.5 mM proved more effective only for such traits as plant height and protein content in the grain. The study showed that it is not the concentration but the time of acetylsalicylic acid application that is more important for the growth of the wheat. Although there were no significant differences between the effects of earlier and later application time on plant height or chlorophyll content, most of the structural and qualitative parameters of the yield (number of grains in the ear, grain density, grain hardness, protein, gluten and starch content) were better after later application of acetylsalicylic acid (GS BBCH 37).
Highlights
Wheat, maize and rice make up the largest share of the world’s agricultural crop production.Together, these three crops provide food for over 4.5 billion people
Was chosen for the experiments, which, according to the characteristics provided by the breeding company (Wiersum Plantbreeding B.V.), is one of the highest-yielding spring wheat cultivars in Poland
The present study demonstrated that the SA derivative acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) has a positive influence on the morphological and physiological parameters of wheat, as well as on the structure and quality of the yield
Summary
Maize and rice make up the largest share of the world’s agricultural crop production. Together, these three crops provide food for over 4.5 billion people. Agronomy 2020, 10, 1918 the impact of climate change on arable crops. Climate change and the higher frequency of extreme weather events will, undoubtedly, have an enormous impact on crops in the future. It is believed that in the dry areas of Central Europe, periods of drought and heat stress will be the factors that limit crop yields to the greatest extent, especially if they occur during the critical periods of the crop growth cycle [1,6]
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