ISHS Acta Horticulturae 541: IV International Symposium on New Floricultural Crops
PACLOBUTRAZOL AND PINCHING AFFECTS VISUAL QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF POTTED VITEX-AGNUS CASTUS PLANTS |
| Authors: | E. Maloupa, D. Gerasopoulos, A. Marnasidis, D. Zervaki |
| Keywords: | Shoot length, node number, plant volume, flowering |
| Abstract:
To explore the possibility of introducing Vitex-agnus castus, a native Mediterranean ornamental plant, as a compact flowering pot plant for commercial use, paclobutrazol (at 0, 1000 an 2000 mg.L-1) and pinching was applied on 25 days old plants. Visual quality characteristics such as plant dimensions, node and leaf number and flowering were measured at one or 10 weeks after treatment. Application of 1000 mg.L-1 paclobutrazol resulted in significant reduction of the shoot length in addition to other plant dimensions followed by small delay in flowering. The observed maximum height reduction was approximately 25 cm compared to control and it was achieved by a application of 2000 mg.L-1. Plant diameter was reduced by 40-60 cm for intact and pinched plants respectively. Paclobutrazol combined with pinching resulted in a delay of flowering. The highest number of flowers was given by the application of at 1000 mg.L-1 paclobutrazol. Results from this study indicate that Vitex agnus castus has the potential for use as a flowering pot plant. | |
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