Chitosan treatment affects plant growth and flower quality in Eustoma grandiflorum

Abstract

The effects of chitosan treatment on plant growth and flower quality of Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinn. were investigated. The application of a soil mix of chitosan (1%, w/w) at sowing time remarkably enhanced growth, whereas coating seed with 0.1% chitosan in lactate was ineffective. Plants grown in the chitosan-treated soil flowered 15 days earlier than did control plants, and the number and weight of cut flowers produced were greater than for control plants or plants from chitosan-treated seed. Chemical name used: poly-(1→4)-β-D-glucoseamine (chitosan).