Production and Postproduction Performance of Uniconazole-Treated Bedding Plants

Abstract

Abstract Growth and flowering responses of Pelargonium × hortorum L. H. Bailey ‘Ringo Deep Scarlet’, Tagetes erecta L. ‘Inca Orange’, Viola × wittrockiana Gams. ‘Blue Shades’, Impatiens × ‘Zenith’ and Salvia farinacea Benth. ‘Victoria Blue’ to uniconazole applied at the seedling stage were evaluated at the end of production and 5 to 7 weeks after transplanting into the landscape (geranium, impatiens and salvia only). A drought stress evaluation was also conducted. Response to uniconazole varied with species, sampling date and uniconazole concentration. Growth of all species was suppressed when measured 4½ to 8½ weeks after treatment (WAT), and stress tolerance of all species except marigold increased with increasing concentrations of uniconazole. Flowering generally was delayed with uniconazole. Impatiens and geranium treated with 10 ppm or less of uniconazole were similar in height to nontreated plants 5 to 7 weeks after being transplanted; at this time, uniconazole had no effect on plant height or shoot dry weight of salvia. Daminozide applied once as a 5000 ppm foliar spray was not effective in suppressing vegetative growth of any of the tested species.