Journal of Applied Horticulture. 2005: 7(1): 34-37

Influence of paclobutrazol on early flowering and aesthetic value of China aster (Callistephus chinensis L. Nees)

Mishra, D K; Mishra, H R; Yadava, L P

K.A. Post Graduate Degree College, Allahabad (UP), India.

An experiment was conducted during 2002-03 in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, to determine the optimum dose (0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 ppm) and method of application (root dip, soil drench and foliar spray) of paclobutrazol to improve the growth, flowering and aesthetic value of China aster (Callistephus chinensis) cv. Poornima. Paclobutrazol at 200 ppm as soil drench was the most effective in retarding plant height. The highest number of branches per plant was observed with 25 ppm paclobutrazol as soil drench while lower number of branches per plant was observed with 200 ppm as soil drench. The number of leaves and total leaf area per plant significantly decreased with increased concentration of paclobutrazol irrespective of the methods of application. The soil drench method registered maximum enhancement of root:shoot ratio than foliar spray and root dip at all levels of paclobutrazol. Maximum enhancement of root:shoot length ratio was observed due to 200 ppm paclobutrazol as soil drench method. The maximum delay in flowering was recorded with 200 ppm paclobutrazol as soil drench method, while early flowering was observed with 25 ppm paclobutrazol as soil drench compared to the control. The maximum number of flowers per plant was observed with 25 ppm paclobutrazol as foliar spray. On the other hand, minimum number of flowers was recorded with 200 ppm paclobutrazol as soil drench.