Anti-transpirant studies and applications in agriculture

Under drought conditions, stomata is critical for regulating plant metabolism as it regulates both photosynthesis and transpiration. A considerable amount of research has focused on the regulating behavior of stomatal in strengthening the degree of drought resistance of crops. Research results suggested that crop regulatory systems established the appropriate balance between photosynthesis and water loss. While applications of plant anti-transpirants had potential limits on plant water consumption, it hardly restricted leaf photosynthesis. Thus this study reviewed recent advances in physiological mechanisms and agricultural applications of plant anti-transpirants. The action mechanisms of film-forming anti-transpirants and metabolic anti-transipirants were introduced and compared also. The possibility of evaluating the influences of anti-transpirants using environmental factors was discussed. Also discussed was the possibility of integrated environmental factors into the photosynthesis-transpiration-stomatal conductance models so as to establish the mechanisms of selecting more efficient and suitable crop anti-transpirants. The ease of use and portability of infrared thermometry in obtaining instantaneous transpiration data at large spatial scales made it applicable in evaluating the impacts of anti-transpirants and crop water stress index (CWSI). The use of infrared thermometry in calculating infrared dates made it a valuable tool for evaluating changes in crop drought stress. Finally, it was recommended to focus future research on anti-transpirants on the characteristics of crops at different growth phases and production requirements. It was also important to establish a standard procedure for using different combinations of anti-transpirants for expanded applications and optimized functions.