Effects of Chemical Defoliation and Bare Root Storage on Carbohydrate Levels and Spring Growth in Euonymus alata

Abstract

For 2 seasons, levels of starch, sucrose and galactitol were measured in roots of Euonymus alata (Thunb.) Sieb, following fall spray treatments with a mixture of endothall [7-oxabicyclo- (2,2,1) heptane-2, 3-dicarboxylic acid] and ethephon (2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid) and overwintering in the field or in a common storage facility. The spray-storage treatment decreased starch levels by 80% and 43% during winter months of the first and second years, respectively. Dry weight of new shoot growth was reduced 66% as a result of the spray-storage treatment during the first year, but there was no reduction of dry weight relative to controls during the second year. During both years, galactitol levels in the roots were not affected by either treatment.