In ornamental plants, especially geraniums, controlling vegetative growth, reducing plant height and increasing plant density is of great importance. Cycocel and paclobutrazol are chemical substances that are widely used in reducing the growth of a large number of plants.Because these compounds absorb free radicals, they delay the aging of flowers and reduce oxidative stress in the plant, thus having a positive effect on flower longevity. The effect of foliar application of cycocel and paclobutrazol on vegetative growth and flowering indicators of geranium (Pelargoniumhortorum) an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications in the greenhouse. The treatments included the foliar application of cycocel (0, 500, 1000, and 1500 mg l-1) and paclobutrazol (50, 75, and 100 mg l-1), which were applied at the 6-8 leaf stage, the results showed that all treatments had a significant effect on the measured variables. The highest fresh (66.87 g) and dry weight of the aerial part(9.8 g), catalase (2.77 unit enzyme g -1 FW of petal), and peroxidase activity (14.34 unit enzyme g-1 FW of petal) in the 1500 mg l-1 foliar application of cycocel and the highest total chlorophyll content of leaf (12.71 mg g-1 FW), anthocyanin (2.91 mg l -1), protein (51.12 µg g-1 FW of petal), superoxide dismutase activity (2.75 unit enzyme g-1 FW of petal) and flower longevity on plant (20.92 days) in the 1000 mg l-1 foliar application of cycocel were observed. The highest index of membrane stability (78.17 %) was also in the 500 mg l-1 cycocel, and the highest root length (43.85 cm) and the lowest plant height (20.59 cm) belonged to the 100 mg l-1 paclobutrazol foliar application,while the highest plant height (26.78 cm) belonged to control. In general, foliar application with growth retarders, especially cycocel at 1000 mg l-1, is recommended to improve the growth characteristics, and flowering, and increase the marketability of Pelargoniumhortorum.
Sadeghi S M, Danaee E. The effect of paclobutrazol and cycocel on growth and flowering characteristics of geranium (Pelargonium hortorum). FOP 2023; 8 (2) :241-254 URL: http://flowerjournal.ir/article-1-271-en.html