Abstract
The growth retardant (2-chloroethyl)trimethylammonium chloride (chlormequat chloride), applied as a soil drench to young tomato plants ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), was effective in reducing the abortion of flower buds that occurred under winter conditions in the glasshouse. Application of chlormequat chloride also reduced flower abortion that occurred in response to a shading treatment or to high night temperatures. A second growth retardant, tributyl-2,4-dichlorobenzylphosphonium chloride (chlorphonium chloride), showed activity similar to that of chlormequat chloride. It is suggested that abortion of the flower buds occurred when vegetative parts of the shoot system were in competition with the inflorescence for metabolites or growth substances, and that the growth retardants acted to reduce or remove this competition.
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