Reading Time: 4 minutes Do plant growth regulators reduce lodging in wheat? They had an impact, but not a huge one, in an on-farm field trial done under the Plot2Farm program this year. “What we’ve seen is that they are not a silver bullet when it comes to lodging,” said Jeremy Boychyn, agronomy research extension manager for Alberta Barley […] Read more
Trial examines plant growth regulators under real-life conditions
There was a reduction in lodging but PGR effectiveness depends on the product, variety and location
Get the lowdown on plant growth regulators and crop varieties
PGR fact sheet looks at lodging and staging while crop fact sheets examine performance in Alberta
Reading Time: 2 minutes New fact sheets on plant growth regulators and crop varieties are now available. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are synthetic compounds that can modify plant growth and development by altering plant hormonal activity. While PGRs are popular in other regions of the world like Western Europe, their use in Western Canada is relatively new. “The plant […] Read more
The trick is in the timing with plant growth regulators
FarmTech: The hormone reduces lodging and makes harvest a lot easier, but proper staging is a challenge
Reading Time: 3 minutes Plant growth regulators can work, but use with caution. If the conditions aren’t right, you could have a wreck, said participants in a plant growth regulators panel at FarmTech. “If you’re going to use a plant growth regulator, focus it on situations where you are pushing yield limits,” said Emile deMilliano, manager of training with […] Read more
Get your timing right with PGRs
By increasing or decreasing hormone production, plant growth regulators can either promote or limit growth
Reading Time: 3 minutes Plant growth regulators may offer some benefits, but the timing and staging of their application is critical. “Plant growth regulators change the hormone relationships within plants and can increase or decrease hormone production,” Phil Bernardin, a technical rep with Engage Agro, said at Farming Smarter’s recent field day. In cereals, plant growth regulators act as […] Read more
Plant growth regulators aren’t for everyone, says researcher
Producers need to choose a responsive variety and get their staging right when using plant growth regulators on wheat
Reading Time: 3 minutes Do plant growth regulators offer a good bang for your buck? Sure — if the conditions are right. If not, you’re wasting your money. “Plant growth regulators aren’t to be used on every acre, like a herbicide or nitrogen fertilizer,” said Sheri Strydhorst, a research scientist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “Producers need to […] Read more
Fungicide application offers best bang for your buck — in the right conditions
Expert says fungicides paid off big for wheat in wet conditions, but plant growth regulators and extra nitrogen weren’t worth the cost
Reading Time: 3 minutes You know the old saying: In order to make money, you’ve got to spend money. But spend it wisely, says an Alberta Agriculture research scientist. “There’s a lot of different agronomic practices out there that you can spend money on — but which ones are going to make you money?” Sheri Strydhorst asked attendees at […] Read more
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