ISHS Acta Horticulturae 515: XXV International Horticultural Congress, Part 5: Culture Techniques with Special Emphasis on Environmental Implications Chemical, Physical and Biological Means of Regulating Crop Growth in Ornamentals and Other Crops
THE EFFECT OF DAMINOZIDE AND CHLORMEQUAT ON VISUAL QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF POTTED VITEX AGNUS CASTUS PLANTS |
| Authors: | E. Maloupa, D. Gerasopoulos, J. Maher |
| Keywords: | growth retardants, new ornamental plants, plant height, plant diameter, internode number, stem thickness |
| Abstract:
Vitex agnus castus is Mediterranean native plant with blue or pink aromatic flowers. The potential of introducing Vitex agnus castus as a commercial native ornamental pot plant has been examined. To lead the natural structure into a uniform and compact flowering plant, 500, 1500 and 2500 mg. L-1 daminozide (Alar) and chlormequat chloride (CCC) were applied once or twice, at a two-week intervals. Visual quality characteristics such as plant height and diameter, stem length and thickness, internode length and flowering were determined 6 weeks after treatment. Double application at low concentration was more effective that a single application at high concentration. Overall CCC was more effective than alar. The observed maximum height reduction was approximately 25 cm compared to control, and it was achieved by a double application of 2500 mg.L-1 CCC. Height reduction was related to the reduction of internode elongation and not to a decrease in the number of nodes. The largest plant diameter (i.e. approximately 30 cm larger than the control) was obtained for plants sprayed twice with 1500 mg.L-1 of CCC. The highest number of flowers was given by the double application of CCC at 1500 mg.L-1. Results from this study indicate that Vitex agnus castus has the potential for use as a flowering pot plant. | |
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