194 Effects of Chemical Growth Retardants on Rooting and Stem Elongation in Propagation of Stachytarpheta spp.
Plants, which move directly from the wild into commercial propagation, without the benefit of extensive breeding and selection, often pose production-oriented problems for growers. Vigorous plant growth, especially during the propagation phase of production is a common problem. The purpose of this work was to determine the degree of efficacy offered by chemical control of stem elongation in propagation of Porter Weed [Stachytarpheta mutabilis, S. mutabilis var. violacea, and S. urticifolia]. Tip cuttings of three Stachytarpheta species were given a 10-s dip in the following treatment solutions: daminozide (2500 and 5000 mg·L-1), daminozide and chlormequat chloride tank mix (2000 mg·L-1 ea.), paclobutrazol (2 and 4 mg·L-1), uniconazole (2 and 4 mg·L-1), distilled water, and undipped controls. Cuttings were then treated with a 0.1% IBA rooting powder and placed under intermittent mist on the propagation bench. After 2 weeks in propagation, cuttings were harvested and shoot elongation, root development, and dry weights were evaluated. The interaction of chemical and species was significant for stem elongation and dry weight; chemical effect on root development was also significant. Paclobutrazol and uniconazole offered greater control of stem elongation than daminozide, daminozide-chlormequat chloride, water, or control treatments.