Use of Trinexepac-ethyl for Growth Regulation of Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema ×grandiflora)

Abstract

Trinexapac-ethyl (TE) [4-(cyclopropyl-α-hydroxy-methylene)-3, 5-dioxocyclohexanecarboxylic acid ethyl ester] is a plant growth regulator registered for use in turfgrass. The objective of the research reported in this paper was to determine if TE could be used in the production of florist chrysanthemums (Dendranthema ×grandiflora) to produce more compact, higher value plants. Foliar applications of TE to non-pinched plants of the tall cultivar `Billings' reduced canopy height 8% to 40% as the amount of applied TE was increased from 6.25 × 10–5 to 2.0 × 10–3 g. The effects of TE varied among chrysanthemum cultivars. Growth inhibition of pinched plants among the various cultivars ranged from 7% (`White Viewtime') to 23% (`White Graceland') 28 days following a single application of 1.0 × 10–3 g TE. In most cultivars, the inhibitory action of TE was not observed after 28 days. In fact some cultivars exhibited a rebound effect during the post-suppression growth phase in which internode extension rates were greater in TE-treated plants than controls. Both the number and timing of the TE application affected efficacy. A second TE application 5 weeks after the first treatment, or application of TE at the appearance of flower buds produced the highest quality crop in terms of uniformity and compactness, with overall height reduction generally 15% to 20%. No differences in flower color, number, or mass per flower were observed due to TE application.