Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Chemical Quality Characteristics of Stored Seeds of Two Cotton Varieties
Mohammed Saani Yakubu
Masara N’arziki Farmers Association, Tamale, Ghana
Bonaventure Kissinger Maalekuu
Department of Horticulture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
Paul Kweku Tandoh *
Department of Horticulture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Cotton is grown purposely for its fiber, but products from cottonseed are also of economic importance. Cottonseed is currently the major source of edible oil and meal for livestock. Foliar applications of plant growth regulators are one of the approaches that have been employed to increase yield in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Data about the effectiveness on the application of these PGRs on cotton production is limited. Field study was carried out in 2016 at Sanguli in the Saboba District in Ghana on a sandy loamy soil using Stam-129 and FK-37 varieties to evaluate two commercial plant growth regulators, Mepiquat chloride and Paclobutrazol, each was sprayed with 250ml/ha at two different periods 60 and 80 days after sowing. The design used for the experimental was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with treatments replicated three times. The results obtained indicated that seed protein and oil content increased significantly (P<0.05) by the application of MC and PBZ on both varieties. The mean oil content for both Stam-129 and FK-37 variety was 21.41% and 21.28% respectively. The average carbohydrate content for Stam -129 and FK-37 variety was 26.26% and 26.87% respectively. The mean crude protein content after 30 days of storage was 28.97% and 30.01% for Stam-129 and FK-37 variety respectively. The average oil content of 21.54% and 21.51% was recorded for the Stam-129 and FK-37 variety respectively, whiles the mean carbohydrate content for Stam-129 and FK-37 variety was 26.18% and 26.59% respectively. The mean crude protein content after 60 days of storage was 28.84% and 29.95% for Stam-129 and FK-37 variety. The average oil content recorded for Stam-129 and FK-37 variety was 21.76% and 22.02% respectively, also, the mean carbohydrate content of 26.25% and 26.50% was recorded for Stam-129 and FK-37 variety. Similar observations were made in the 90 days of storage. It was concluded that foliar application of MC and PBZ at a concentration of (250ml/ha) positively enhanced the yield of cotton, seed oil, seed index, protein and carbohydrate content. However, they were a reduction in the value of lint percentage. From the findings of this study, it seems rational to recommend that foliar application of PGRs (MC and PBZ), could seed oil and protein content as compared with the ordinary agronomic practices carried out by Ghanaian cotton farmers.
Keywords: Photosynthates, partitioning, varietal differences, oxidation-reduction, absorption and utilization