Effect of growing media and some growth regulators on growth and chemical composition of Schefflera arboricola plant

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of growing media mixtures(peatmoss, peat+sand 1: 1, peat+sand 2: 1, peat+clay 1: 1, peat +clay 2:1, peat+ clay+ sand 1:1:1 and peat + clay + sand 2:1:1), also the effect of Gibberelic acid at concentrations (100, 200 and 300ppm), and Paclobutrazol at concentrations (150, 300 and 450ppm) in addition to control (distilled water) on vegetative growth and chemical composition of Schefflera arboricola plants during 2007 and 2008 seasons. Effect of different growing media on vegetative growth and chemical composition of Schefflera arboricola plants: The obtained results showed that using the mixture of peatmoss + clay (2:1) and peatmoss+ sand+ clay (2:1:1) had a favourable effect on increasing all the growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, leaf area, fresh and dry weights of leaves, stems and roots) as well as the content of pigments, total carbohydrates and nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) comparing with other growing media. Effect of Gibberelic acid on vegetative growth and chemical composition of Schefflera arboricola plants: The plants sprayed with Gibberelic acid at 300ppm gave the heighest values of plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, fresh and dry weight of leaves and stems and dry weight of roots, but leaf area and fresh weight of roots increased with application of 200ppm. The chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid increased with 300ppm and chlorophyll b increased also with 200ppm, total carbohydrates and nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) increased with 300ppm. Effect of Paclobutrazol on vegetative growth and chemical composition of Schefflera arboricola plants: The concentration 450ppm of Paclobutrazol gave the shortest plant, on the other hand gave the heighest value of stem diameter, number of leaves/ plant, leaf area, fresh and dry weight for all the plant organs (leaves, stems and roots),pigment contents, total carbohydrates and mineral contents (N, P and K) in leaves and stems.