Studies with antitranspirants on tea (Camellia sinensis L.)

Abstract

The antitranspirant effect of a number of substances on tea was studied and the effects of the most effective substance investigated in detail. The ‘film type’ of antitranspirants reduced transpiration only at a considerably higher concentration than the ‘stomatal type’ of antitranspirants. Of the ‘stomatal type’ of antitranspirants phenyl mercuric acetate (PMA) was the most effective substance. Under actively transpiring conditions a 250 ppm solution of PMA reduced transpiration by about 30 per cent. The effect of PMA was localised and there was no translocation to untreated parts of the leaf blade. A spray of PMA reduced transpiration with gradually diminishing intensity for about 20 days, reduced vegetative growth of young plants grown both under non-water stress and water stressed conditions and reduced the yield of crop of mature plants during a drought. re]19760806