Abstract
Experiments in 1992, 1993, and 1994 evaluated prohexadione calcium (calcium salt of 3,5-dioxo-4-propionylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid) as a growth regulator for peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Two experiments in 1992 compared prohexadione calcium applied at 140 to 560 g ae/ha at the early pegging stage (PG) or at the row closure stage (RC). Greater suppression of main stem (MS) and cotyledonary lateral branch (CLB) length and greater row visibility at harvest were noted when prohexadione calcium was applied at RC. Prohexadione calcium applied at RC decreased MS and CLB length at harvest 16 to 27% and 14 to 29%, respectively, and greatly improved row visibility. Prohexadione calcium applied at PG generally reduced yield and the percentage of extra large kernels (ELK), fancy pods (FP), and total sound mature kernels (TSMK) but had no effect on crop maturity. Prohexadione calcium applied at RC generally had no effect on yield or the proportion of TSMK but increased the percentage of ELK, decreased the percentage of FP, and enhanced crop maturity. Two experiments in 1993 compared prohexadione calcium at rates of 47 to 280 g/ha applied at RC or at RC and again 3 wk later (RC3). Prohexadione calcium at 140 and 280 g/ha applied at RC suppressed MS and CLB length at harvest 11 to 18% and improved row visibility. Single and sequential applications were equally effective. Prohexadione calcium had no effect on yield, maturity, or the percentage of ELK, FP, and TSMK in 1993. One experiment in 1994 compared prohexadione calcium at rates of 186 to 280 g/ha applied at RC and RC3 or at RC and RC3 and 6 wk after RC (RC6). Results were similar with all treatments. MS and CLB length at harvest was reduced 29 to 34% and 28 to 32%, respectively, and row visibility was greatly improved. Prohexadione calcium increased yield 8% and increased the percentage of ELK but had no effect on the percentage of FP and TSMK. Daminozide butanedioic acid mono (2,2-dimethylhydrazide) at 950 to 1430 g ae/ha was included in all experiments as a comparison. Row visibility and suppression of MS and CLB length at harvest in prohexadione calcium-treated peanut were at least as great as in daminozide-treated peanut. Results indicate prohexadione calcium could be an effective-replacement for daminozide.
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Keywords: Arachis hypogaea L., vine suppression, row visibility, yield, market quality, daminozide
How to Cite:
Mitchem, W. & York, A. & Batts, R., (1996) “Peanut Response to Prohexadione Calcium, a New Plant Growth Regulator”, Peanut Science 23(1), p.1-9. doi: https://doi.org/10.3146/i0095-3679-23-1-1