Effect of cultar and alar on four cultivars of pot chrysanthemum [Chrysanthemum morifolium; Paclobutrazol, Succinic acid: determination of the effect of different concentrations, comparison of the two methods of application]

Rooted cuttings of four pot Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat, cultivars White, Yellow, Red and Dark Deep Popsies were grown in 15 cm plastic pots in March 1985 and 1986. When the average lateral shoot length was 5 cm, the plants were treated with various concentrations of Alar and Cultar to investigate their effect on vegetative growth and flowering. Cultar as soil drench at 2500, 2000, 5000 or as foliar spray at 2500, 2x1250, 4000, 2x2000, 5000, 2x2500 ppm, significantly shortened length of primary and secondary lateral shoots, decreased plant dry weight, delayed flowering, increased flower shelf life, and chlorophyll content in leaf discs. Flower diameter, number and diameter of primary lateral shoots were not influenced. Moreover, Cultar concentration of 4000 and 5000 ppm singly or split applied, caused abnormal appearance of the plants and enhanced leaf senescence. Alar as foliar spray at 2500, 2x1250, 4000, 2x2000, 5000, and 2x2500 ppm or as soil drench at 2500, 4000, and 5000 ppm, significantly shortened length of primary and secondary lateral shoots, increased chlorophyl content in leaf discs, decreased flower diameter as number and diameter of primary lateral shoots were not influenced by both methods of application. Foliar spray application at all rates decreased plant dry weight and delayed flowering; soil drench at 4000 and 5000 ppm reduced plant dry weight. However, repeated applications of Alar as foliar spray in a split spray, were more effective in reducing length of the primary lateral shoot than Alar applied once. Moreover foliar sprays of Alar were more effective than Alar soil drench application in this respect. On the other hand both methods of Cultar application at all rates were significantly more effective in reducing length of primary lateral shoots than those of Alar. While Alar as soil drench at 2500, 4000, 5000 ppm had no significant influence on improving flower shelf life, Alar as foliar spray at 2x1250, 4000, 2x2000 and 2x2500 ppm resulted in a significant increase in flower shelf life