• FLOWER RESEARCH JOURNAL
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.81-88
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• 2011

Effect of concentrations of different plant growth retardants (PGRs) supplied to a recirculated nutrient solution in an ebb and flow system on the growth and development of potted Spathiphyllum 'Top-Pin' and 'Mini' was examined. Plants were planted in 10 cm diameter plastic pots filled with a mixture of peat moss and perlite (1 : 1, v/v) on 30 June 2005 and grown until 23 Sep. 2005. In a closed ebb and flow system, 50, 200, 350, $500mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ daminozide (B-9), 10, 40, 70, $100mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ paclobutrazol (Boundy), 5, 15, 25, $35mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ ethephon (Florel), and 1, 4, 7, $10mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ uniconazole (Sumagic) were supplemented to a nutrient solution at the initiation of experiment. On every irrigation, the nutrient solution containing PGRs was supplied at a 2 cm depth and kept for 15-20 minutes. The surplus nutrient solution was drained back into the tank for next irrigations. Paclobutrazol gave the most pronounced effect in inhibition of stretchiness. The greatest reduction of leaf length, fresh and dry weights of shoot, and elevated chlorophyll content were recorded in Spathiphyllum, with increasing paclobutrazol concentration. Daminozide concentration greater than $200mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ resulted in minor stunting. The lowest concentration ($1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$) of uniconazole showed greater leaf length, leaf width, and leaf petiole length than the control ($0mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$). Uniconazole concentration greater than $1mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ resulted in similar plant growth as the plant in the control ($0mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$). High concentration ($35mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$) of ethephon resulted in the shortest leaf length, and the greatest chlorophyll content. Inhibition of stretchiness was observed even in the lowest concentration treatments. Among the PGRs, paclobutrazol was most effective in suppressing plant stretchiness. In both cultivars, ethephon and paclobutrazol, but not daminozide and uniconazole, significantly inhibited stretchiness. The results suggested that plant growth retardants (ethephon or paclobutrazol) selected in this study may be used as the most effective agents for inhibition of stretchiness in Spathiphyllum.