Potted plants of Lilium longiflorum Thunb. cvs. `Ace' and `Nellie White' were grown either under an ambient photoperiod (APP) or under an 8-hour photoperiod (8PP) in a greenhouse. The latter photoperiod was achieved by pulling black cloth over the plants at 1615HR and removing the cloth at 0615HR each day, from emergence to flowering. Within each photoperiod, ambient light intensity was reduced by 0, 20, 40 or 60% using various shade cloths permanently suspended above the plants. Heating was set at 20/16C for the dark/light period, respectively. Plant height, determined from the rim of pot to the top of plant, was 25% lower under 8PP compared to APP for both cultivars. Plant height of `Ace' and `Nellie White' increased by 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm, respectively, per 1% light reduction.
Stock plants of six herbaceous species (Antirrhinum ×hybrida `Primrose with Vein' L., Chrysocephalum apiculatum `Golden Buttons', Diascia ×hybrida `Sunchimes Coral' Link & Otto, Lavendula dentata `Serenity' L., Osteospermum ×hybrida `Zulu' L., and Verbena ×hybrida `Lanai Bright Pink' L.) received nine different pinch treatments. Stock plants received a first pinch treatment at one of three pinch heights [low (L1), middle (M1), and high (H1)] followed by a second pinch at one of three pinch heights [low (L2), middle (M2), and high (H2)] in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement. After the two pinches, cuttings were removed weekly from the stock plants. Cutting yield per stock plant increased as pinch height increased from L to H for both the first and second pinch for all species. A low first pinch followed by a low second pinch (L1L2) produced stock plants with the lowest cutting yield, while a high first pinch followed by a high second pinch (H1H2) produced the stock plants with the highest cutting yield for all species, e.g., the percentage increase in cutting yield was 133% for Antirrhinum, 98% for Chrysocephalum, 144% for Diascia, 80% for Lavendula, 250% for Osteospermum, and 44% for Verbena. This study suggests that pinch height during scaffold development of the stock plant is an important tool for increasing cutting production.
The interest in using nonchemical alternatives for growth control of horticultural crops has recently increased due to public concerns for food safety and environmental pollution. Several research teams around the world are investigating alternative growth control measures, such as genetic manipulation, temperature, water and nutrient management, mechanical conditioning, and light quality manipulation. This review discusses the recent developments in light quality manipulation as a nonchemical alternative for greenhouse plant height control.
Questions exist as to whether growth-inhibiting chemicals mimic the effects of reduced mowing heights on putting green ball roll. An experiment was initiated during Spring 1997 to investigate ball roll and visual quality parameters of putting greens maintained at 3.2, 4.0, or 4.8 mm with plant growth regulator (PGR) treatments applied monthly over the course of 1 year. Additional experiments were conducted during Fall 1995 and 1996 and Spring 1996 to investigate diurnal PGR effects on ball roll. All experiments were conducted on pure stands of `Penncross' creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds). Treatments included trinexapac-ethyl and paclobutrazol, both inhibitors of gibberellin biosynthesis. In the one-year experiment, mowing height was inversely related to ball roll. However, compromises in turfgrass visual quality and shoot density in `Penncross' turf mowed at 3.2 mm make this a questionable mowing height in areas with severe summer conditions. Ball roll during summer months was reduced by PGRs, suggesting that PGRs have little potential as alternatives to decreasing mowing height for increased ball roll. Paclobutrazol reduced turfgrass quality and shoot density during summer months, suggesting that it be used with caution. Other PGRs, particularly trinexapac-ethyl at 0.05 kg·ha–1 a.i., increased afternoon ball roll by as much as 5% to 10% in diurnal experiments. Use of PGRs on creeping bentgrass putting greens may therefore produce short-lived increases in ball roll with subtle to negative effects on bentgrass growth over more extended periods of time. Chemical names used: 4-(cyclopropyl-α-hydroxymethylene)-3,5-dioxocyclohexane carboxylic acid ethylester (trinexapac-ethyl); (+/–)-(R *,R *)-β-[(4-chloro-phenyl)methyl]-α-(1,1dimethylethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol (paclobutrazol).
applied as healthy food ( Bhavna et al., 2017 ; Kuo et al., 2012 ; Tseng et al., 2009 ). However, the plant height of ‘Taichung No. 3’ is 2 m taller than expected, which is an obstacle to harvest for farmers. Thus, the development of a shorter variety
population, peak flowering was noted when terminal colas had appeared to reach their maximum size and trichomes began changing from clear to translucent white. Plant height, measured from base to tip, was recorded for autoflowering plants on 2 Aug 2022, and
The response of `Bright Golden Anne' and `Spears' chrysanthemum plants to EOD-R or FR light was evaluated to determine the involvement of phytochrome in regulation of plant morphology under CuSO4 filters. Light transmitted through the CuSO4 filter significantly reduced height, internode length and stem dry weight of `BGA' and `Spears' chrysanthemum plants. However, the degree of response varied with the cultivar. Exposure to EOD-FR reversed the reduction of plant height, internode length and the stem dry weight caused by the light transmitted through CuSO4 filters to a level comparable with control plants. Exposure to EOD-FR did not significantly alter height and stem dry weight under control filter Exposure to EOD-R light reduced the height and stem dry weight of `BGA' plants grown under control filter but EOD-R had no effect under CuSO4 filters. In `Spears' plants, EOD-R caused stem dry weight reduction under control filters, but did not reduce stem or internode elongation. The results suggest phytochrome may be involved in controlling plant response under CuSO4 filters. However, there are evidence to indicate that an additional mechanism may be acting on stem/internode elongation.
, and Valent USA for financial aid and materials support, and to the greenhouse staff of the Kenneth Post Laboratory of Cornell University for plant care.
Potted bulbs of Lilium longiflorum Thunb. `Ace' and `Nellie White' and Lilium (Asiatic hybrid) `Enchantment' were grown in a greenhouse under ambient photoperiod (APP), 8-h photoperiod by removing twilight from ambient by blackout cloth (8PP), or 8PP extended with 1 hour of low-intensity far-red radiation (9PP). Height of `Ace', `Nellie White', and `Enchantment' increased by 24%, 18%, and 12%, respectively, under APP and by 118%, 100%, and 44%, respectively, under 9PP compared to 8PP. In a second experiment, the effects of reduced irradiance (0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% shade) were determined on the same cultivars grown under APP or 8PP. The effects of APP on height were similar in magnitude for `Ace' and `Nellie White' but were insignificant for `Enchantment' compared to 8PP. Shading increased height linearly for all cultivars. The regression was greater under APP (2.8 mm/percent shade) than under 8PP (1.8 mm/percent shade) for `Ace' and `Nellie White' combined. Plant height of `Enchantment' was less affected by reduced irradiance. For all cultivars, APP or 9PP produced higher stem dry weight compared to 8PP. Shading decreased leaf and bulb dry weight of the Easter lily cultivars.
. Gloeckner Foundation. Additional support was provided by the Clemson Univ. Ornamental Horticulture Competitive Grants Program. We gratefully acknowledge plant donations from Van Wingerden International, Asheville, N.C., and chemical donations from Abbott