Uniconazole Affects Vegetative Growth, Flowering, and Stem Anatomy of Hibiscus

Abstract

Abstract Eight-month-old ‘Jane Cowl’ hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.) in 2.8-liter pots received 0, 0.1, 0.2, or 0.4 mg of uniconazole/pot as a soil drench. Plants were pruned 35 days after treatment and then grown for an additional 65 days. Plant height, number of leaves and flower buds per shoot, shoot length, stem diameter, and leaf size decreased with increasing rates of uniconazole. Flower number was greater at the two low rates; however, days to first bloom and leaf dark respiration rate were unaffected. Leaf chlorophyll concentration increased with increasing rates of uniconazole. Development of secondary xylem tissue, transverse diameter of vessels, and number and size of phloem fibers were suppressed by uniconazole, resulting in a cascading growth habit. Plants grown from cuttings taken from plants 35 days after treatment were shorter, with fewer lateral shoots and total leaves than cuttings from untreated plants. Uniconazole had no effect on growth of shoot tip cuttings taken from the new lateral shoots of treated plants 110 days after pruning. Soil drenches of uniconazole at 0.025 to 0.2 mg/pot to young plants in 1.5-liter pots resulted in shorter plants, delayed flowering, and fewer flowers with smaller diameter and shorter pedicels. Results from foliar application of uniconazole at 0.05 to 0.2 mg/plant (10 to 40 mg·liter−1) were similar to the soil drench, except that the reduction in shoot growth was less at low rates than with drench application. Chemical name used: (E)-1-(p-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-1-penten-3-ol (uniconazole).