Paclobutrazol decreases dry weight gain in pansy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to show the effects of growth retardant paclobutrazol at the plug stages on the post transplant pot dry weight accumulation for Viola wittrockiana bedding plants grown under a range of growing media quality. Changes in media physical properties, such as a decrease in total porosity, resulted in a lowering of dry weight gain. Although it has been indicated that triazoles may indirectly influence photosynthetic activity in several ways, our results showed that a decrease in dry weight gain would be associated to the height plant regulation through paclobutrazol retardant; total dry weight was negatively affected by both total porosity and paclobutrazol rate. The use of paclobutrazol during nursery production and its effects on plant productivity after transplant are discussed. Additional keywords: ornamental plant; growing media; nursery; plant growth retardant; Viola wittrockiana