Effect of Growth Regulators and Date of Sowing on Grain Development in Wheat

Wheat (cv. WL-1562) crop was sown on three different dates referred as early, normal and late under field conditions and the effect of kinetin (10 µg ml⁻¹) and ethrel (100 µg ml⁻¹) was studied on some enzymes and reserve substances in grains at various stages of development Kinetin and ethrel showed the highest rate of dry matter accumulation in the peak grain growth period (41–50 DAA) in early sowing but decreased in late sowing. These growth regulators also increased invertase, α-amylase and starch synthetase activities in grains in early and normal sowings. Starch and protein accumulation in the grains responded differently to growth regulators and sowing dates. Ethrel and kinetin treatments decreased total soluble sugars and amino acids content under each sowing.