The effects of a paclobutrazol‐based growth regulator on the yield, quality and ease of management of oilseed rape

SUMMARY A mixture of paclobutrazol and chlormequat chloride plant growth regulators (JF10405, Parlay C) was tested on field crops of two ‘double zero’ oilseed rape cultivars in two seasons. Application rate and timing of JF10405 were varied. Very large plots enabled the use of commercial farm equipment to treat and harvest the experiments. Untreated plots showed considerable lodging at harvest in all experiments. Treatment with JF10405 had only small effects on the height of mature plants but, generally, reduced lodging substantially even at the lowest rate tested. All JF10405 treatments increased seed yields, several significantly so, particularly a 2.50 litre/ha rate, although the optimum timing varied between experiments. Seed oil contents were little affected, but levels of glucosinolates were significantly decreased in some instances. Treatments giving good control of lodging also took less time to harvest, especially when cutting against the direction of the lodging. The results‐are discussed in relation to the means by which these improvements in seed yield and quality were achieved, and crop management facilitated.