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Effects of Foliar Methanol Applications on Crop Yield

USDA-ARS, Columbia Plateau Conservation Research Center, Pendleton, OR 97801
Columbia Basin Agric. Research Center, Pendleton, OR 97801

^* Corresponding author (a031cpendlet{at}attmail.com).

Recent reports indicate that vegetative growth and yield of C₃ crops are enhanced by foliar methanol application and that overall crop water use was reduced by methanol sprays. It has been suggested that methanol may act as a C source for the plant and a photorespiration inhibitor. Field experiments were conducted near Pendleton, OR, during 1993 and 1994 to determine if foliar methanol applications would increase crop growth and yield in the dryland agroecosystems common to the Pacific Northwest. Methanol solutions (200 or 400 mL L^–1 with a surfactant) were applied to winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), spring wheat, spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) at several plant growth stages. Phytotoxic symptoms were observed only with the highest concentration of methanol. No significant response, either beneficial or detrimental, to methanol application was found in any crop. No differences were found in stomatal conductance or leaf specific weight between any methanol treatment and the controls. Methanol applications did not significantly increase crop growth or yield. We concluded that methanol applications will not benefit grain and pea production in the northwestern USA.

Received for publication September 6, 1994.