Growth regulator evaluation in Australian rice crops

Summary

Delayed inundation of rice is a recognised strategy for improving water use efficiency in rice and increasing cropped area per farm in seasons of doubtful irrigation water availability. Antigibberellins have been reported to increase crop stress tolerance. We propose to evaluate antigibberellin seed dressings as a method of inducing greater drought tolerance in rice seedlings. By favouring root production over vegetative growth, treated rice seedlings ought to be more readily managed with prolonged delays to permanent inundation; thus potentially improving water use efficiency in rice. Antigibberellins are also commercially registered and used to reduce crop stature and lodging and increase rice grain yields. We propose to conduct field trials to evaluate this possible use in Australian crops with a view to obtaining registration for these products.

Program

Rice

Research Organisation

Agropraisals Pty Ltd

Objective Summary

This project aims to provide an unambiguous evaluation of the potential role of antigibberellins as a means of increasing drought tolerance of rice seedlings. Results from greenhouse and field trials will screen a range of antigibberellin seed dressings and rice varieties. If encouraging, these results could be used in support of a registration submission to the APVMA, however field trials from multiple seasons would be required to give confidence to justify commercial adoption. We aim to identify possible effects on crop stature, lodging resistance and grain yields associated with field sprays of antigibberellins in order to develop a data package to support this use.