258 Pampas Grass (Cortaderia argentea) Response to Ancymidol, Paclobutrazol, and Uniconazole Substrate Drenches
Plant growth retardant (PGR) substrate drenches (in milligrams active ingredient) of ancymidol at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, or 4; paclobutrazol at 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16; and uniconazole at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, or 4 were applied to pampas grass (Cortaderia argentea Nees) to compare their effectiveness at chemical height control during greenhouse forcing and evaluate the residual effect on plant growth in the landscape. Cortaderia argentea plant height exhibited a quadratic dose response to paclobutrazol and uniconazole, while ancymidol-treated plants showed a linear dose effect. During greenhouse production, all rates of uniconazole reduced plant height by 56% to 71% compared to the untreated control, whereas paclobutrazol and ancymidol treatments reduced plant height by 14% to 61% and 0% to 34%, respectively. Severe height retardation was evident at 2 mg of uniconazole. By week 5 in the field all plants treated with uniconazole, paclobutrazol doses of 4, 8, or 16 mg, and with 4 mg of ancymidol were shorter than the untreated control. By week 24 in the field, all plants exhibited similar heights except plants treated with uniconazole at 1, 2, or 4 mg remained shorter than the untreated control. In conclusion, each PGR was effective in controlling plant height of Cortaderia argentea during greenhouse forcing. Furthermore, plants treated with low to moderate rates of ancymidol or paclobutrazol grew out of the regulating effect by week 5 in the landscape. These results demonstrate that PGR can be effectively and economically employed in the production of Cortaderia argentea.