Increasing plant productivity through improved photosynthesis

Abstract

The importance of increasing plant productivity through photosynthetic route and relevance of higher chain aliphatic alcohols in promoting photosynthesis in plants, resulting in increased yields in various crops is discussed. A mixture of aliphatic alcohols (C-24 to C-34) designated as "Mixtalol" was prepared and tested as seed soak and foliar spray at 1-2 ppm. It was found that the treatment resulted in a significant increase in root length and number of laterals, shoot fresh weight and shoot and root dry weight of various crop plants. Mixtalol treatment as seed soaking of paddy increased the chlorophyll content of leaves, which was higher at younger stages of development. The seed soak and foliar spray of Mixtalol also increased Fe⁺⁺ content of tomato and paddy shoots. It also significantly increased the rate of photosynthesis in tomato and paddy. In tomato and barley leaves, a simultaneous decrease in photorespiration rates was also observed. Foliar application of individual alcohols, (components of Mixtalol) indicated that excepting for C-28, C-22 to C-30 increased the rate of photosynthesis. A mixture of C-24 to C-30, in the same proportion as that of Mixtalol, increased the rate of photosynthesis in paddy but Mixtalol registered a higher rate than the mixture, probably, because of the presence of still unidentified components in the mixture. Extensive field trials with Mixtalol, have shown yield increases of 14-27% in paddy, 13-27% in wheat, 33% in maize, 20% in pearl millet, 21-29% in potatoes, 15-20% in groundnuts and 48% in sorghum fodder. The foliar application of Mixtalol on vegetables (tomato, brinjal, okra, beans, cauliflower, chilli, etc.) gave substantial increases in yield.