Physiological mechanisms underlying the yield increase of droughted wheat from film antitranspirant application.

The physiological mechanisms for underlying wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield increase by antitranspirants have been studied in two field experiments in 2008/9 and 2009/10. The transpiration rate of the antitranspirant-treated plots was significantly (P <0.05) lower than both the unsprayed and irrigated-unsprayed controls. However, the rate of photosynthesis was unaffected. The viability of pollen from the antitranspirant-treated plots at GS31 (first node detectable) and GS33 (third node detectable) was significantly (P <0.05) higher compared with the unsprayed controls. The number of grains per ear of antitranspirant-treated plots was significantly (P