An Effect of 2-n-butyramido-5-bromothiazole on Leaf Area of Spring Wheat in Pot Experiments

2-n-butyramido-5-bromothiazole (BABT) sprayed on to spring wheatplants at the second or third leaf stage, or applied as a seeddressing, enlarged the length and breadth of the upper leavesbut caused a 2–4 day delay in ear emergence. Tilleringwas reduced by foliar sprays. Some cytokinin activity was discoveredin BABT and related amidothiazole compounds, so that increasedleaf area is possibly due to a direct stimulatory effect. Alternativelythe slight check to vegetative growth which is caused by BABTtreatments could favour the expansion of leaves in the primordialstage.