Potted sunflower growth and flowering responses to foliar applications of daminozide, paclobutrazol, and uniconazole

Abstract

Plant growth retardant (PGR) foliar sprays (in mg·L-1) of daminozide at concentrations from 1,000 to 16,000; paclobutrazol from 5 to 80; and uniconazole from 2 to 32 were applied to 'Pacino' potted sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.) to compare their effectiveness at chemical height control. Plants were grown in 650-mL or 1.2-L pots. When the first inflorescence started to shed pollen, number of days from seeding until anthesis, total plant height measured from the pot rim to the top of the inflorescence, inflorescence diameter, and plant diameter were recorded. There was no significant difference in plant height between 'Pacino' plants grown in 650-mL or 1.2-L pots. Total plant height, plant diameter, inflorescence diameter, and days until flowering were significant for the PGR treatment main effect. Marketable-sized plants grown in the 1.2-L pots were produced with uniconazole concentrations from 16 to 32 mg·L-1 or with daminozide concentrations from 4,000 to 8,000 mg·L-1. Paclobutrazol foliar sprays up to 80 mg·L-1 had little effect, and higher foliar spray concentrations or substrate drench treatments may be needed to effectively control height.