Validation of a Model for Simulating the Effect of Daminozide Application on Chrysanthemum

Abstract

Daminozide is a growth retardant used in potted plant production as a foliar spray to inhibit shoot elongation. It has its greatest inhibitory effect immediately after application, becoming less pronounced thereafter; continued retardation is accomplished by reapplication at 7to 14-day intervals. A model for this retardation effect is useful in developing decision support tools, as well as in optimizing (perhaps minimizing) the use of this growth retardant. Such a model, as developed and described earlier, simulates the effect of a foliar spray application of daminozide at various concentrations on various days during the production cycle. The objective of this work was to validate this model for various varieties of chrysanthemum. Using the model to simulate the effect of one application of daminozide resulted in predicted plant heights very close to the observed heights for most of the varieties tested. Of four methods used to implement the multiple-application effect, two resulted in very good simulation of the observed plant heights. In summary, the model was shown to be valid for all the varieties of chrysanthemum tested.