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Morphactins, Anti-transpirants, Anti-auxins and Anti-oxidants

Ningappa Kirasur 2014-12-129

Dept. of OlericultureCOH, Vellanikkara

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Morphactins

Morphactins are a group of substances which act on

morphogenesis and modulate the expression of plants

Chemically, they are the derivates of fluorine

compounds

Fluorine - inactive, but the addition of COOH group in

the 9th position makes it active

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Examples

Chloroflurenol

Flurenol

Methyl benzilate

Methyl chloroflurenol

Methyl dichloroflurenol

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Effects of morphactins

Exhibit both synergistic and antagonistic effects-

depends upon the relative concentrations

They inhibit seed germination, sprouting, growth of

seedling and internode elongation

They depolarize cell division which probably leads to

distorted morphogenesis

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Contd…. Very effective in inducing lateral bud development, so

tillering will be profuse

Some morphactins stimulate flowering in certain short

day plants

Resemble ABA in inducing seed dormancy, bud

dormancy and suppressing stem elongation

Most of their effects can be reversed by GA3 treatment

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Applications

Morphactins + 2,4-D - controls weed growth

Morphactins + MH - suppress growth of grass in

lawns

Flurenol and chlorflurenol inhibits the opening of

stomata

Reduces transpiration in spinach and broad bean (Rustagi, 2004)

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Okra

Pre-harvest application of 2.5 mg /lit chlorfluorenol-

methyl ester (CME ) induces anatomical changes

Including lower stomatal index and more long

trichomes

All of which could contribute to help water conservation

by the pods

Wax emulsion + 2.5 mg /lit. morphactin can prolonged

the shelf-life of pods

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Capsicum

A spray of morphactin at 1 ppm also significantly

increased fruit weight/plant, percentage dry weight

and titrable acidity

But reduced Calcium content in Capsicum annuum

cv. California Wonder

(Asdoudi, 1993)

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2. Anti-auxins

These are chemicals which inhibit the action of auxins

They closely resembles auxin but lacks at least one

requirement for activity

Inhibit the effects of auxin

Synthetic chemical derived from α-p-choloro phenoxy

iso-butyric acid (PCIB)

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Examples

2, 3, 5 tri iodo benzoic acid (TIBA)

Napthyl thalamic acid (NPA)

Clofibric acid

4,4,4-trifluoro-3-(indole-3-)butyric acid (TFIBA)

Naphthyl-methyl-thio propionic acid

m-tolyl phthalamic acid

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Contd….

Application of anti-auxins few days before harvesting

for leaf shedding in cotton

The anti-auxins TIBA, naphthyl-methyl-thiopropionic

acid and m-tolylpthalamic acid induce flower bud

formation in case of cauliflower

(Margara, 1977)

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Contd…

Application of HFCA (9-hydroxyfluorene-9-carboxylic acid)

and NPA (1-N-naphthylphthalamic acid) leads to

elongation of internodes in wild type of peas

Significantly reduced the endogenous levels of GA1

Below the application site IAA levels were also reduce

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3. Anti-transpirants

The term anti-transpirant is used to designate

Any material applied to plants for the purpose of

retarding transpiration

Useful for reducing transplantation shock of nursery

plants (Horticultural plants)

Applied to transpiring plant surfaces for reducing water

loss from the plant

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Types of anti transpirants 1. Stomatal closing type :

Fungicides like phenyl mercuric acetate (PMA) and

herbicides like Atrazine in lower concentration serve as anti

transpirants by inducing stomatal closing

These reduce the photosynthesis

PMA was found to decrease transpiration than

photosynthesis

ABA induces closure of stomata

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2. Film forming type

Plastic and waxy material which form a thin film on the

leaf surface

Results in reduction of transpiration rate and

photosynthesis

Examples: Silicone oils

Ethyl alcohol

Polyvinyl chloride

Polyethylene, polypropylene

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3.Reflectance type White materials which form a coating on the leaves and

increase the leaf reflectance (albedo)

Examples: Kaoline @ 5% spray reduces transpiration loss

Diatomaceous earth (Celite)

Hydrated lime,

Calcium carbonate,

Magnesium carbonate,

Zinc sulphate

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Features of anti-transpirants

Non toxic

Non permanent damage to stomata mechanism

Specific effects on guard cells but not to other cells

Effect on stomata should persist at least for one week

Chemical or material should be cheap and readily

available

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Phenyl mercuric acetate at 35 ppm, kaolinite at 5% were

sprayed on onion seedlings(Arka Pragathi, Arka Niketan, Arka

Kalyan and Pusa Red) 30, 50, 70 or 90 days after

transplanting and Irrigation was with held a week before

spraying

Anti-transpirants cause 27 to 40% stomatal closure and

reduction varied from 22 to 56% depend on cultivars

kaolinite treatment was most effective in reducing water

stress and stomatal closure

(Rao and Bhatt,

1990)

Contd…

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4. Anti-oxidants Antioxidants are nutrients in food that protect our cells

from damage by free radicals

Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage

our cells

This cell damage may increase the risk of cancer, heart

disease, diabetes and infections

Free radicals may also affect brain function

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Types of Anti-oxidants

Vitamin A

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

Anthocyanins

Beta carotene

Catechins

Ellagic acid

Lutein

Lycopene

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Which Foods Have Antioxidants?pumpkin, winter squash Beta carotene

Beans Catechins, vitamin E

Beets Anthocyanins

Bell peppers Beta carotene, vitamin C

Broccoli, greens, spinach Beta carotene, lutein, vitamin C

Carrots Beta carotene

Tomatoes (canned) Lycopene, vitamin C

Sweet potatoes Beta carotene, vitamin C

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Contd….

Ascorbic acid @ 50ml/L sprayed on brinjal had

significantly higher root weight, fruit yield, fruit free

total phenols, shoot and fruit potassium and calcium

contents under saline condition

Spraying of ascorbate is effective in alleviating adverse

effects of salinity (Shaban, 2007)

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5. Growth retardants

Chemicals which reduces shoot growth and increases

root growth

Enable the plants to resist drought conditions through

stomatal closure

CCC- Cycocel is useful for improving water status of

the plant

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THANK YOU