ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Effect of plant growth regulator used with adjuvants in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
1
Department of Weed Science and Plant Protection Technique, Institute of Plant Protection – National Research Institute, Poznań, Poland
2
Regional Experimental Station in Toruń, Institute of Plant Protection – National Research Institute, Toruń, Poland
3
Department of Mathematical and Statistical Methods, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
4
Department of Organic Farming and Environmental Protection, Institute of Plant Protection – National Research Institute, Poznań, Poland
These authors had equal contribution to this work
A - Research concept and design; B - Collection and/or assembly of data; C - Data analysis and interpretation; D - Writing the article; E - Critical revision of the article; F - Final approval of article
Submission date: 2025-02-24
Acceptance date: 2025-05-23
Online publication date: 2025-11-26
Corresponding author
Kinga Matysiak
Department of Weed Science and Plant Protection Technique, Institute of Plant Protection – National Research Institute, Poznań, Poland
Department of Weed Science and Plant Protection Technique, Institute of Plant Protection – National Research Institute, Poznań, Poland
HIGHLIGHTS
- Alignment with European agricultural goals regarding the reduction of chemical use
- Possibility of combining mepiquat chloride and prohexadione calcium with adjuvants
- Mixing growth regulators at lower doses and adjuvants maintains their effectiveness
- Application of growth regulators with adjuvants prevents lodging and maintains yield
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Crop yields depend not only on genetic traits, agronomic practices, and weather but also on
effective crop protection. European agriculture aims to reduce the use of harmful chemicals
while maintaining yields. Studies show that adjuvants can reduce the required doses of
plant protection products. While their role in herbicide and fungicide applications is well
documented, research on plant growth regulators remains limited. Field trials were conducted
at the Institute of Plant Protection – National Research Institute in Poland to evaluate
the impact of reduced doses of growth regulators, along with adjuvants, on the growth
and yield of winter wheat. The study aimed to evaluate the potential and effectiveness of
combining the plant growth regulators mepiquat chloride and prohexadione calcium with
various adjuvants and additives in winter wheat under field conditions. The experimental
treatments included a mixture of mepiquat chloride with prohexadione calcium (Medax
Top 350 SC) applied together with citric acid; fertilizers such as urea and ammonium
sulfate; and adjuvants – including heptamethyltrisiloxane-modified polyalkylene oxide
(Slippa), 76% paraffin oil (Atpolan 80 EC), 80% rapeseed oil fatty acid methyl esters, surface-
active agents (surfactants), and a pH buffer (Atpolan BIO 80 EC), as well as ammonium
sulfate (NH₄)₂SO₄ – 40%), a cationic surfactant (20%), and triethanolamine (5%)
(AS 500 SL). The studies showed that it is possible to achieve the same results using half the
standard doses of regulators, combined with adjuvants, as when using full doses. This also
applied to plant height as well as qualitative and quantitative grain parameters. Additionally,
the findings demonstrated that the effect of mepiquat chloride combined with prohexadione
calcium and adjuvants varied depending on weather conditions during crop growth.
FUNDING
This study was part of the statutory activity of the Institute
of Plant Protection − National Research Institute
in Poland. The project ‘Evaluation of the biological
activity of plant growth regulators and biostimulants
in cereals’ (No. HET-08/1.3.3) was supported by the
Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
RESPONSIBLE EDITOR
Agnieszka Synowiec
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors have declared that no conflict of interests exist.
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