The effect of chlormequat chloride (CCC) application at the bolting stage on the flowering and seed production of lettuce plants previously treated with water or gibberellic acid (GA 3)

Abstract

Lettuce plants were sprayed with gibberellin (GA 3) or water at the rosette (8-leaf) stage and subsequently with water or CCC (500 or 1500 ppm) at the onset of bolting. GA 3 induced rapid bolting and increased seed yield, but seed stalks were longer and thinner than those that had been sprayed with water at the same stage. Treatment with CCC (500 ppm) at bolting decreased the flower stalk height of plants that had been sprayed with water at the rosette stage, but not that of GA 3 treated plants. CCC (500 ppm) increased the number of inflorescence branches per plant as well as seed yield in the autumn sown crop, but had no effect on the winter sown crop. When a higher concentration of CCC (1500 ppm) was applied at bolting, flower stalk height decreased, irrespective of whether the plants had been previously treated with GA 3 or not, and seed stalk diameter increased. However, 1500 ppm CCC reduced the number of inflorescence branches per plant and mean seed yield. It is concluded therefore that although the application of 500 ppm CCC at the onset of bolting may increase seed yield in the autumn sown crop, this treatment does not improve the seed stalk strength (e.g. increasing diameter or reducing height) of GA 3 treated plants. On the other hand, whereas a higher concentration of CCC (1500 ppm) improves seed stalk characteristics, it reduces seed yield.