650 Effects of Drought and Mechanical Brushing on Height of Tomato and Impatiens

Abstract

Seeds of tomato `Big Beef Hybrid' and impatiens `Sun and Shade White' were sown in 200-cell plug trays and put under cyclic mist to germinate. After 3 weeks, the most uniform seedlings were transplanted to 24-cell flat inserts where they remained for the duration of the experiment. At 5 weeks, plants were arranged for the study with three flats per treatment. The mechanical group was brushed 50 times at 7:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. The brushing mechanism was adjusted as needed to account for growth and stimulate only the top 1 to 2 inches of the plants. Water was withheld from the drought plants until water stress symptoms developed. Treatments continued for three weeks. At the termination of treatment, data was only recorded on the eight plants in the middle of each flat to reduce edge effects. Data collected included height, total stem length, total leaf area, and fresh and dry weight of both roots and shoots. Two more replications of the experiment were performed over the next 3 months. As expected, the treated plants were shorter than the controls and had a more compact and sturdy growth habit in all replications. Effects on leaf area, fresh weight, and dry weight were noted and will be discussed.