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
GROWTH AND FLOWERING RESPONSE OF TULBAGHIA VIOLACEA TO DAMINOZIDE AND PACLOBUTRAZOL |
| Authors: | G.V. Zizzo, G. Fascella, U. Amico Roxas, G. Iapichino |
| Keywords: | growth regulators, plant height, pot plant |
| Abstract:
Tulbaghia violacea is a rhizomatous plant native to South Africa. It is characterized by shiny green leaves and long lasting violet flowers. Because of its attractive flowers stalks Tulbaghia violacea might have a good potential as a pot plant; however, a control of the final plant height is required to give the desired aesthetic effect. Therefore, the objective of this research was to test two chemical growth retardants to produce Tulbaghia plants that are compact enough to be grown as pot plants. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Institute of Floriculture of Palermo (Sicily). Daminozide (at 0, 1000, 2000 or 3000 mgl) as a foliar spray and paclobutrazol (at a 0, 10, 20 or 30 mg/l) as a substrate drench, were applied to Tulbaghia plants grown outside into plastic pots filled with 50 % sandy soil and 50 % peat (v/v). Between the two compounds paclobutrazol gave the best results as it slowed the rate of stem elongation without causing visible negative effects to the plants. Daminozide was no effective in controlling flower stalk height. Among the concentrations tested paclobutrazol at 20 and 30 mg/l seemed the most suitable. | |
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