Using Plant Growth Regulators To Improve Plant Architecture in Herbaceous Perennial Plants

4/16/2012
Using Plant Growth

Regulators to Improve Plant
Architecture in Herbaceous
Perennial Plants
Mara Grossman
M.S. student
Department of Horticulture
Virginia Tech
Introduction
Commercial production of ornamental plants
Floriculture crops 4.13 billion dollars in 2010
Potted herbaceous perennials 553 million dollars
(USDA, 2011)
Liners and plug seedlings over 448 million dollars

(USDA, 2009)
Southwest Perennials Inc.,

Dallas Texas, specializes in herb
and perennial liner production
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Introduction
Production challenges for growers
Control plant growth with both physical controls and chemical
controls
Plant growth regulators (PGRs) control plant height, branching
and flowering.
Van Wingerden International, Inc.

located in Asheville, N.C.
Introduction
Using PGRs
Plants respond in different ways to PGRs

depending on species, cultivar, growing
conditions, and the PGR utilized (Gent and McAvoy,
2000)
Treating liners prior to transplant can have

significant benefits for growers.
Reduced time of application and reduced
chemical cost resulting in a more cost
effective method of treating plants (Whitman and
Runkle, 2003)
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Introduction
Controlling Branching with PGRs
Goal is to improve plant architecture
Release apical dominance

Increase branching and improve
quality
Substitute for pinching
Pinching labor intensive
Pinching delays growth and
bloom
Introduction
Benzyladenine (BA)
Synthetic cytokinin
Cytokinins promote cell division in tissue culture (Miller et. al. 1955)
Application of exogenous cytokinins in many species increases the ratio
of cytokinin to auxin in the plant, disrupting apical dominance which
controls branching patterns and plant form, and promotes lateral bud
out growth (Cline, 1991)
BA has been shown to increase number of branches in herbaceous
perennials (Farris et al., 2009; Keever, 1994; Latimer and Freeborn, 2008; Martin and Singletary,
1999)
Configure, Fine Americas Inc., labeled for use on annual and perennial
flowering and foliage plants and tropical plants
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Introduction
Dikegulac Sodium
Disrupts cell wall integrity
Previously labeled as Atrimmec or Atrinal
Primarily has been used to reduce shoot elongation and
increase branching in woody plants (Banko and Stefani, 1995; Bell et al.,
1997; Bruner et al., 2002; Sachs et al., 1975)
Little research on herbaceous plants
Increased branching on Zinnia, Helianthus, Chrysanthemum,
Boston fern, Kalanchoe, and Gaillardia (Arzee et al., 1977; Carter et al.,
1996; Latimer and Freeborn, 2010; Nightingale et al., 1985)
Augeo, OHP, Inc., Mainland PA, labeled for use on bedding
plants, herbaceous plants, perennials, woody ornamentals
and trees
Introduction
Rationale and significance
By testing PGRs and their effect on
herbaceous perennials we will:
Improve plant production methods
Strengthen the floriculture industry
Expand our knowledge of plant growth
Improve our ability to make effective
PGR recommendations to growers
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Introduction
Research Objectives
To study the effects of branching agents on herbaceous

perennial crops during liner production and on finished
plants
To improve plant architecture at an earlier stage of
production
Outline
Introduction
Exp. 1: Benzyladenine (BA)
Exp. 2: BA in combination with IBA
Exp. 3: Dikegulac sodium (DS)
Exp. 4: Single vs. Multiple Applications, BA and DS
Conclusions
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Experiment One Objective

Evaluate the effects of BA on the shoot and root growth of 11
herbaceous perennials during liner production and grow out of
finished plants
Exp. 1: Methods and Materials

Plants Studied
Agastache Purple Haze Leucanthemum x superbum 'Snowcap
Aster Professor Kippenburg Rosmarinus officinalis 'Hill Hardy'
Campanula Cherry Bells Salvia nemorosa May Night
Cosmos atrosanguineus Verbena bonariensis Lollipop
Gaura lindheimeri Siskiyou Pink Veronica Goodness Grows
Lavandula x intermedia 'Provence
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BA Treatments
After removal from mist BA treatments were applied as
foliar sprays:
0 mgL-1 (control)
1 application of 300 mgL-1
2 applications of 300 mgL-1
(1st application after removal from mist,
2nd application two weeks after 1st application)
1 application of 600 mgL-1
In all experiments:
completely randomized design for each species
Data analyzed by ANOVA
Agastache at time of
treatment
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Treatment Application
Foliar sprays at a volume of
210 ml per m2
Sprays applied evenly to square
meter plots
Not actively transported in the
plant
Exp. 1:Methods and Materials

Data Collection
Data collected at 0, 2, and 3-4 weeks after treatment (WAT)
Plants were then transplanted into quart size pots (1.1 liters)
Grown out for an additional 4 weeks
Data collected at 4 weeks after transplant.
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Exp. 1:Methods and Materials

Data Collection
Measurements included:
Plant height
Average plant width
Lateral branches and leaders or basal
branches
Phytotoxicity
Flowering
Root and shoot dry weights
Root volume and surface area (five
species)
Exp. 1: Results and Discussion

Branching effects on finished liners
Nine of eleven crops evaluated showed an increase in

branching at time of transplant.
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Agastache 3 WAT
40% increase in lateral branches
Agastache Lateral Branches

at 3 WAT
20
Number of Branches
Untreated 300x1 300x2 600x1
15 17.6a 16.8a
16.1a
Agastache Purple Haze at 3 WAT
10
11.6b
5
0
Control (0) 300x1 300x2 600x1
Means followed by the same letter are not significantly

different at the p<.05 level, n=6.
Gaura 4 WAT
Gaura Lateral Branches at 4WAT
10
8 9.2a 9.3a
Number of Branches
8.5a
6 7.5b
0 Untreated 300x1 300x2 600x1

Control (0) 300x1 300x2 600x1

Gaura Siskyou Pink
All BA treatments significantly increased lateral branches

and leaders at 4 WAT
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Lavandula 4 WAT
Increased branches at higher
rates at 4WAT
Increased leaders at all rates
of BA treatment
Lavandula x intermedia Provence Lavandula Lateral Branches

at 4 WAT
Number of Branches
20
15
15.6ab 16.9a
10 13.4c 14.3bc
5
0
Control (0) 300x1 300x2 600x1

Leucanthemum 4 WAT
Leucanthemum Basal Branches
at 4 WAT
Number of Branches
4
Basal branches doubled at
3
4WAT
2 2.5b 2.9b 2.5b
1
1.3a
0
Control (0) 300x1 300x2 600x1
Untreated
Control
Leucanthemum xsuperbum Snowcap
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Rosemary 4 WAT
Rosemary Lateral Branches
at 4 WAT
Number of Branches
30
20 24.0a 24.3a
20.4b
16.9c
10
0
Control (0) 300x1 300x2 600x1
Rosmarinus 'Hill Hardy'
Lateral branches and leaders

were increased with all
treatments
Salvia 4 WAT
Salvia Basal Branches at 4 WAT
5
40% increase in
Number of Branches
4
4.2a basal branches
3 3.8a with one or two
3b 3b applications of
2
1 300 mgL-1
0
Control (0) 300x1 300x2 600x1
Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different at the
p<.05 level, n=6. Salvia May Night
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Verbena 4 WAT
Number of lateral branches was
significantly increased at higher rates
Verbena Lateral Branches at 4 WAT

6
Number of Branches
5
Untreated 300x1 300x2 600x1 5.3a
4
Verbena bonariensis Lollipop 3 3.5bc 3.8ab
2
2.2c
1
0
Control (0) 300x1 300x2 600x1

Veronica Lateral Branches at 3 WAT Veronica 3 WAT

10
8 9.3a Lateral branching

Number of Branches
increased 100-200%
6
6b
4 5b Increased leaders with
600x1
2
2.3c
0
Control (0) 300x1 300x2 600x1
Veronica spicata Goodness Grows
Means followed by the same
letter are not significantly
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Other Results
Campanula: unresponsive to treatment with BA
Aster: phytotoxicity: tip burn
Cosmos: phytotoxicity: distorted leaves
Untreated 300x2
Aster Professor Anton Kippenburg Cosmos atrosanguineus
Exp. 1: Results and Discussion:

Branching Effects After Transplant
Increased branching effects were no longer evident in most plants
after growing out for four additional weeks (8 WAT)
Veronicaspicata GoodnessGrows
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Effects of BA on branching after transplant,

8 weeks after treatment
Gaura 80% increase
Lavandula 85% increase (only with two apps. of 300 mg L-1)

Gaura Siskyou Pink
Lavandula x intermedia Provence
Exp. 1: Results and Discussion:

Effects on Roots
Four of eleven crops evaluated showed a decrease in root dry weight at

time of transplant.
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Results and Discussion:

Effects on Roots
Effects of BA on root dry weight at time of transplant, 3 or 4 WAT
Agastache Reduced 40%
Cosmos Reduced 40%
Lavandula Reduced only with two applications of 300 mg L-1
Leucanthemum Reduced 25-40%
Rosemary Increased
Root Measurements
Media was washed off roots by hand
Then roots were scanned using
WinRhizo (Regent Instruments Inc.,
Quebec, Canada) to analyze root
surface area and volume
Roots were dried at 66C (150F) for
48 hours then weighed
Root surface area and volume were
highly correlated with root dry weight
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Root Measurements
Correlation Root Dry Weight to Root Surface Area and Volume
Leucanthemum root surface area Leucanthemum root volume to

to root dry weight, bivariate fit root dry weight, bivariate fit
r = 0.77, p<0.0001 r = 0.78, p<0.0001
Root Measurements
Correlation Root Dry Weight to Root Surface Area and

Volume
Root Dry Weight to Root Dry Weight to Root

Root Surface Area Volume
r2 p value r 2 p value
Agastache 0.87 <0.0001 0.91 <0.0001

Gaura 0.73 <0.0001 0.77 <0.0001
Lavandula 0.88 <0.0001 0.95 <0.0001
Leucanthemum 0.77 <0.0001 0.78 <0.0001
Salvia 0.84 <0.0001 0.88 <0.0001
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Leucanthemum finished plants

Reduction in root dry weight did not affect appearance of finished

plants (4 weeks after transplant)
Root Reduction in Agastache

Agastache Root Dry Weight (g)
at 3 WAT
1.5
Root Dry Weight (g)
1
0.98a
0.5 0.82b
0.58c 0.58c
0
Control (0) 300x1 300x2 600x1
Root dry weight reduced 40% at 3WAT
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Agastache at 8 WAT
Agastache Purple Haze
Reduction in root dry weight of liners did not affect

appearance of finished plants 4 weeks after transplant
Exp. 1 Conclusions
BA is safe for use on liners after removal from mist
BA can improve branching during liner production
Decreases in root dry weight did not affect finished plant
appearance
Root surface area and root volume are highly correlated with
root dry weight
BA has a short term effect on most plants
This indicates a value in reapplying BA to responsive plants
shortly after transplanting liners to the finished containers
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Outline
Introduction
Conclusions

Objective:
To evaluate the effect of BA, IBA and the combination of the
two on the branching and root growth of herbaceous
perennial plants during liner production and grow out of
finished plants
Plants studied:
Agastache Tutti Frutti'
Lavandula x intermedia Provence
Leucanthemum x superbum 'Snowcap'
Rosmarinus Hill Hardy
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Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA),an auxin
Active ingredient in many rooting
compounds
Commonly used to encourage rooting
during propagation (Dole and Wilkins, 2005)

0 mgL-1 (control)
500 mgL-1 BA (Configure, Fine Americas, Inc.)
1000 mgL-1 IBA (Hortus IBA Water Soluble Salts 20% IBA ,
Hortus USA)
500 mgL-1 BA plus 1000 mgL-1 IBA
URCs
Treatments applied 1 day after removal from mist
Data collected on finished liners and finished plants
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Exp. 2: Results
Root Dry Weight of Liners
RootDryWeight(g)23WAT
TreatmentmgL1 Agastache Lavandula Leucanthemum Rosmarinus
Control0 0.076ab 0.018 0.131a 0.054
BA500 0.052bc 0.023 0.102b 0.043
IBA1000 0.078a 0.025 0.145a 0.047
BA+IBA500/1000 0.044c 0.018 0.096b 0.041
RateEffect 0.0224 0.1088 0.0051 0.1459
LSD 0.025 0.007 0.029 0.012
Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different at the p<.05 level, n=6.
Root Dry Weight of Finished Plants
RootDryWeight(g)FinishedPlants
TreatmentmgL1 Agastache Lavandula Leucanthemum Rosmarinus
Control0 0.342 .194ab 1.13b 0.241
BA500 0.315 .220a 1.01b 0.166
IBA1000 0.351 .183b 1.36a 0.188
BA+IBA500/1000 0.273 .147c 0.977b 0.169
RateEffect 0.5366 0.0005 0.0014 0.059
LSD 0.11834 0.03067 0.19189 0.06003
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Agastache
BA+IBA treatment
Reduced height, root weight, slight phyto in liners
Reduced flower height in finished plants
BA treatment
increased branches in finished plants
no effect on root weight
2 WAT 5 WAT
Control BA IBA BA + IBA Control BA IBA BA + IBA
Lavandula
3 WAT
BA+IBA treatment
Reduced height, shoot weight of
liners and finished plants
Reduced root weight of finished
plants
BA treatment Control IBA BA BA+ IBA

Increased leaders of liners
(NS) increase branches 7 WAT
of finished plants
No effect on root weight
All treatments
Slight phyto on liners
Slight tip necrosis,
no longer evident
after grow out Control BA IBA BA+ IBA
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Leucanthemum
No effect on branching
2 WAT Root dry weight reduced
in liners with both BA and
BA+IBA treatment
Reduced root dry weight
did not affect finished
plants
Control BA IBA BA + IBA
7 WAT
Rosmarinus
BA increased branches on liners, reduced branches on finished plants
Slight phyto on liners, tip damage and leaf curling
Phyto no longer evident after grow out
3 WAT 7 WAT
Control IBA BA BA + IBA
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Exp. 2 Conclusions
The addition of IBA to BA did not mitigate BAs negative rooting
effects
IBA or IBA in combination with BA did not increase branching
Outline
Introduction
Conclusions
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Exp. 3: Objective
Evaluate the effects dikegulac sodium on the
branching of herbaceous perennial plants during
liner production and grow out of finished plants
Six herbaceous perennials studied:

Aster Professor Anton Kippenburg
Campanula punctata Cherry Bells
Cosmos astrosanguineus
Rosmarinus Hill Hardy
Verbena bonariensis Lollipop
Veronica Goodness Grows
URCs into 72 size flats

Rooted under mist until roots visible on
all 4 sides of plug
Augeo (18% dikegulac sodium) applied as
a foliar spray at four concentrations:
0 mgL-1
400 mgL-1
800 mgL-1
1600 mgL-1
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Measurements included: height, width, branches, leaders, phytotoxicity,
flowering, root and shoot dry weights.
Data were collected at 0, 2, and 3-4 weeks after treatment (WAT).
Plants were then transplanted into quart (1.1 liter) pots and grown out
for an additional 4 weeks.
Exp. 3: Results and Discussion
All six crops evaluated showed an increase in branching at

time of transplant.
Four of the six crops evaluated showed an increase in

branching after growing out for 3-4 weeks.
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Dikegulac sodium on Aster at 3 WAT
Number of Number of Shoot Dry

DS Concentration mgL-1 Branches Leaders Wt (g) Height (cm)
0 17.6b 3.4b 0.29ab 11.1ab
400 19.8ab 3.1b 0.31a 11.5a
800 18.5b 3.6b 0.27b 10.1b
1600 23.3a 4.8a 0.19c 4.8c
Rate effect 0.033 0.0181 <0.0001 <0.0001
LSD 3.75 1.04 0.035 1.32
Dikegulac sodium on Aster at 3 WAT
40 % increase in leaders Aster 'Professor Anton Kippenberg'

and 30% increase in
branches in plants
treated with 1600
mgL-1
Significant decrease
in shoot weight and
height Untreated 1600
No differences in
branching after grow out
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Dikegulac sodium on Campanula

at 3 WAT
Number of Shoot Dry

DS Concentration mgL-1 Branches Weight (g) Height (cm)
0 3.6b 0.41 9.8a
400 3.0b 0.32 8.6a
800 5.0a 0.38 8.8a
1600 3.8ab 0.33 7.0b
Rate effect 0.0132 0.1437 0.0032
LSD 1.25 0.078 1.51
Dikegulac sodium on Campanula

at 3 WAT
Campanula punctata 'Cherry Bells'
Untreated 400 800 1600
800 mgL-1 dikegulac sodium increased branching with no effect on

shoot or root dry weight
No differences in branching after grow out
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Dikegulac sodium on Cosmos at 3 WAT
DS Concentration mgL- Number of Number of Shoot Dry Wt

1 Branches Leaders (g) Height (cm)
0 17.6b 3.4b 0.39a 22.3ab
400 19.8ab 3.1b 0.35a 23.8a
800 18.5b 3.6b 0.35a 20.4b
1600 23.3a 4.8a 0.29b 11.4c
Rate effect 0.033 0.0181 0.0115 <0.0001
LSD 3.75 1.04 0.056 3.24

Cosmos atrosanguineus

Florel
1600 mgL-1 dikegulac sodium increased numbers of branches
(30%) and leaders (40%) at 3 WAT.
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Cosmos atrosanguineus finished plants
Increased leaders and branches persisted in plants treated

with 1600 mgL-1 dikegulac sodium
Dikegulac sodium on Rosmarinus

at 4 WAT
DS Concentration Number of Number of Shoot Dry Wt.

mgL-1 Branches Leaders (g) Height (cm)
0 19.7c 1.6c 0.33a 11.3a
400 22.8ab 4.0b 0.3a 11.4a
800 24.7a 6.2a 0.33a 12.1a
1600 22.6abc 7.3a 0.25b 9.0b
Rate effect 0.0164 <0.0001 0.0005 <0.0001
LSD 2.92 1.53 0.049 1.48
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Dikegulac sodium on Rosmarinus at 4 WAT

Dikegulac sodium increased numbers of leaders (150-

350%) and branches (20%).
Dikegulac sodium on Rosmarinus at 4 WAT

After 4 wk grow out: 800 & 1600 mgL-1 dikegulac sodium increased
numbers of leaders (control 11 vs. treated plants 14-15) and branches
(control 46 vs. treated plants 56-64).
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Dikegulac sodium on Verbena at 3 WAT

0 1.3d 1.0b 0.37a 21.1a
400 9.2b 1.1b 0.36a 13.9b
800 10.1b 1.4a 0.25b 10.7c
1600 12.2a 1.2ab 0.28b 7.1d
Rate effect <0.0001 0.042 <.0001 <.0001
LSD 1.12 0.259 0.040 1.84

Verbena bonariensis 'Lollipop'
Dikegulac sodium increased branching: control 1.3 vs. treated plants

9-12 branches.
Dikegulac sodium caused twisting of leaves but plants grew out of
symptoms in grow out phase
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Verbena bonariensis 'Lollipop'
After 4 wk grow out, 800 and 1600 mgL-1 dikegulac sodium

increased number of branches (control 28 vs. treated plants 32
38).
Slight delay in flowering 800 and 1600 mgL-1
Dikegulac sodium on Veronica at 4 WAT

0 0.6c 1 10a 8.4a
400 8.0b 1.1 7.9b 7.5a
800 13.5a 1.1 7.7b 4.0b
1600 7.7b 1.2 6.6c 1.1c
Rate effect <0.0001 0.6504 <.0001 <.0001
LSD 2.65 0.2515 0.9933 1.2166
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dikegulac sodium increased number of branches (control 0.6

vs treated plants 7.7-13.5)
reduced height and shoot dry weight 800 and 1600 mgL-1

Untreated 400 800 Florelspray

1600
After 4 wk grow out, all dikegulac sodium treatments

increased branching but the 800 and 1600 mgL-1 treatments
caused excessive stunting plants did not grow out.
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Exp. 3 conclusions
Dikegulac sodium did increase branching in herbaceous
perennials during liner production
PGR response varied by species
Phytotoxicity when noted was transient
Some plants showed persistent increases in branching
after transplant and grow out.
Outline
Introduction
Conclusions
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Exp. 4: Objective
Evaluate the effects of timing of applications of BA and
dikegulac sodium on quality of plants as liners and finished
plants.
Six herbaceous perennials studied:

Sedum spectabile Autumn Joy'
Gaillardia aristata Gallo Red
Phlox paniculata Bright Eyes
Nepeta x faassenii Walkers Low
Delosperma Table Mountain
Achillea Moonshine

Design: Split Plot, n = 6
Main Plot = Timing PGR applications
Liner: single application after removal from mist
Post Transplant: single application 5-7 days after transplant
Both: applications at liner AND post transplant
Sub-Plot = PGR concentration
0 mgL-1 dikegulac sodium
600 mgL-1 BA
400 mgL-1 dikegulac sodium + 600 mgL-1 BA
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URCs
Data as finished liners and after transplant and grow out
Measurements included: height, width, branches, leaders,
phytotoxicity, flowering, and shoot dry weights.
Achillea at time of
liner treatment
Sedum Number of Branches

Number of branches
3 WAT 6 WAT
Application Time
Liner 8.1 28.3c
Post Transplant -- z 34.7b
Both 9y 57.7a
Application time effect 0.0102 <0.0001
Post
PGR Concentration Liner Transplant Both
0 mgL-1 2.8e 22.6 25.0d 21.4c
400 mgL-1 DS 5.7d 33.8 26.9cd 60.5b
800 mgL-1 DS 7.0c 28 36.0bc 57.4b
1600 mgL-1 DS 9.5b 27.6 26.9cd 60.9b
600 mgL-1 BA 12.8a 32.3 49.3a 53.6b
400 mgL-1 DS+ 600 mgL-1 BA 13.4a 25.8 44.3ab 92.6a
Treatment effect <0.0001 0.0695 <0.0001 <0.0001
Application Time * PGR Concentration 0.2458 <0.0001

z Not treated at this time Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different at
y Treated the p<.05 level, n=6.
only at liner stage at this time
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Sedum Height
Height (cm)
3 WAT 6 WAT
Application Time
Liner 12.4 26.2a
Both 12.5y 24.7b
Post
0 mgL-1 13.6a 26.1a 25.1ab 25.4cd
400 mgL-1 DS 13.0abc 27.3a 25.1ab 29.6a
800 mgL-1 DS 13.3ab 26.1a 23.5ab 23.4d
1600 mgL-1 DS 10.1d 22.5b 20.4c 16.0e
600 mgL-1 BA 12.4bc 27.7a 25.9a 28.0ab
400 mgL-1 DS+ 600 mgL-1 BA 12.3c 27.6a 23.0b 26.0bc
Treatment effect <0.0001 0.0021 0.0007 <0.0001

Sedum Shoot Weight

Shoot Weight (g)
3 WAT 6 WAT
Application Time
Liner 0.664 10.0a
Post Transplant -- z 7.0c
Both 0.722 y 8.32b
Post
0 mgL-1 0.692bc 10.3 7.91b 10.0ab
400 mgL-1 DS 0.752ab 10.6 6.78cd 10.1ab
800 mgL-1 DS 0.627cd 10.5 6.14d 6.24c
1600 mgL-1 DS 0.583d 8.0 4.80e 3.23d
600 mgL-1 BA 0.780a 10.1 9.02a 10.8a
400 mgL-1 DS+ 600 mgL-1 BA 0.723ab 10.7 7.13bc 9.47b

y Treated only at liner stage at this time the p<.05 level, n=6.
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Liner
Untreated DS 400 DS 800 DS 1600 BA 600 DS400 +

BA 600
Post Transplant
Untreated DS 400 DS 800 DS 1600 BA 600 DS400 +

BA 600
Both
Untreated DS 400x2 DS 800x2 DS 1600x2 BA 600x2 DS400 +

BA 600x2
Phlox Number of Branches

Number of branches
2 WAT 6 WAT
Application Time
Liner 3.6 10.4
Post Transplant -- z 11.4
Both 3.1y 11.4
Application time effect 0.2771 0.3554
Post
0 mgL-1 2.1c 9.6 10.1 8.8c
400 mgL-1 DS 2.0c 9.4 11.8 7.6c
800 mgL-1 DS 2.7bc 9.5 11.5 10.3bc
1600 mgL-1 DS 4.5a 10.4 11.3 16.8a
600 mgL-1 BA 3.8ab 13 11.6 13.8ab
400 mgL-1 DS+ 600 mgL-1 BA 5.2a 10.8 11.9 11.3bc
Treatment effect 0.0003 0.2473 0.9329 0.0007
Application Time * PGR Concentration 0.2242 0.0317

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Phlox Flower Stalk Height

Flower Stalk Height (cm)
6 WAT
Application Time
Liner 17.1
Post Transplant 18
Both 16.1
Application time effect 0.1629
PGR Concentration Mean

0 mgL-1 19.5a
400 mgL-1 DS 16.4bc
800 mgL-1 DS 15.6c
1600 mgL-1 DS 16.2bc
600 mgL-1 BA 18.9ab
400 mgL-1 DS+ 600 mgL-1 BA 15.5c
Treatment effect 0.0150
Application Time * Treatment 0.1891
Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different at the p<.05 level, n=6
Liner
DS400 +
Untreated DS 400 DS 800 DS 1600 BA 600
BA 600
Post Transplant
DS400 +
Untreated DS 400 DS 800 DS 1600 BA 600
BA 600
Both
DS400 +
Untr DS 400x2 DS 800x2 DS 1600x2 BA 600x2
BA 600x2
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Nepeta Number of Branches

Number of branches
2 WAT 5 WAT
Application Time
Liner 16.3 171b
Post Transplant -- z 200a
Both 17.6 y 213a
Post
0 mgL-1 15.4c 179a 159cd 151b
400 mgL-1 DS 15.8c 169a 192bc 171b
800 mgL-1 DS 17.9ab 179a 213b 169b
1600 mgL-1 DS 18.7a 127b 144d 242a
600 mgL-1 BA 16.7bc 181a 294a 261a
400 mgL-1 DS+ 600 mgL-1 BA 17.3abc 191a 196bc 285a
Treatment effect 0.0067 0.0188 <0.0001 0.0001

Nepeta Shoot Weight

Shoot Weight (g)
2 WAT 5 WAT
Application Time
Liner 0.365 8.03a
Both 0.337y 6.97c
Post
0 mgL-1 0.346 7.55ab 8.11a 7.77bc
400 mgL-1 DS 0.321 8.38a 8.59a 7.19c
800 mgL-1 DS 0.350 8.09ab 7.71a 5.85d
1600 mgL-1 DS 0.325 7.25b 3.24b 3.21e
600 mgL-1 BA 0.387 8.46a 8.20a 9.31a
400 mgL-1 DS+ 600 mgL-1 BA 0.376 8.46a 8.61a 8.49ab
Treatment effect 0.117 0.0431 <0.0001 <0.0001

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Nepeta Height
Height (cm)
2 WAT 5 WAT
Application Time
Liner 22.5 15.7a
Both 21.1y 13.2b
Post
0 mgL-1 22.4a 17.4a 19.0a 13.8ab
400 mgL-1 DS 22.0a 14.6b 10.8b 15.4ab
800 mgL-1 DS 21.8a 17.2ab 15.2a 11.0bc
1600 mgL-1 DS 18.9b 11.2c 9.6b 7.0c
600 mgL-1 BA 22.8a 15.8ab 16.2a 18.2a
400 mgL-1 DS+ 600 mgL-1 BA 22.9a 18.2a 8.6b 14.0ab
Treatment effect <0.0001 0.0002 <0.0001 0.001

Liner
Untreated DS 400 DS 800 DS 1600 BA 600 DS400 +BA 600
Post Transplant
Both
DS400 +
Untreated DS 400x2 DS 800x2 DS 1600x2 BA 600x2 BA 600x2
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4/16/2012
Gaillardia Number of Branches

Number of branches
2 WAT 8 WAT
Application Time
Liner 5.8 30.8b
Both 6.1y 53.0a
Post
0 mgL-1 4.8b 28.5b 22.7bc 37.7b
400 mgL-1 DS 5.7b 35.7a 31.2b 40.5b
800 mgL-1 DS 5.1b 32.8ab 31.0b 39.7b
1600 mgL-1 DS 2.5c 19.7c 13.2c 11.8c
600 mgL-1 BA 8.7a 33.4ab 26.8b 100a
400 mgL-1 DS+ 600 mgL-1 BA 9.1a 34.7ab 49.2a 88.0a

Gaillardia Height
Height (cm)
2 WAT 8 WAT
Application Time
Liner 6.8 14.0a
Both 7.2y 11.9c
Post
0 mgL-1 7.7a 14.4a 15.4a 15.0a
400 mgL-1 DS 7.4ab 14.1a 13.9ab 14.8a
800 mgL-1 DS 7.6ab 14.4a 12.4bc 9.6c
1600 mgL-1 DS 6.4c 11.4b 8.9d 4.6d
600 mgL-1 BA 6.8bc 15.1a 14.1a 15.3a
400 mgL-1 DS+ 600 mgL-1 BA 6.3c 14.9a 11.8c 12.3b
Treatment effect 0.0022 0.0002 <0.0001 <0.0001

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4/16/2012
Gaillardia Shoot Weight

Shoot Weight (g)
2 WAT 8 WAT
Application Time
Liner 0.329 4.27a
Both 0.332 y 3.57b
Post
0 mgL-1 0.326bc 4.28a 4.79a 4.64b
400 mgL-1 DS 0.341ab 4.81a 4.38ab 4.05b
800 mgL-1 DS 0.297cd 4.54a 3.03d 2.02c
1600 mgL-1 DS 0.274d 2.49b 1.58e 0.688d
600 mgL-1 BA 0.374a 4.73a 4.10bc 6.12a
400 mgL-1 DS+ 600 mgL-1 BA 0.374a 4.73a 3.67c 3.90b
Treatment effect <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001

Gaillardia Days to First Flower

Days to First Flower
8 WAT
Application Time
Liner 64.7b
Post Transplant 49.6a
Both NA
Application time effect <0.0001
Post
0 mgL-1 48.5d 52.4 53.5b
400 mgL-1 DS 52.4d 48.3 47.9b
800 mgL-1 DS 64.8c 47.8 82.0a
1600 mgL-1 DS 82.0a 49 NA
600 mgL-1 BA 70.5b 50.5 NA
400 mgL-1 DS+ 600 mgL-1 BA 70.3b 50 NA
Treatment effect <0.0001 0.6533 0.0003
Application Time * PGR Concentration <0.0001

45
4/16/2012
Liner
Post Transplant
DS400 +
Untreated DS 400 DS 800 DS 1600 BA 600 BA 600
Both
DS400 +
Untreated DS 400x2 DS 800x2 DS 1600x2 BA 600x2 BA 600x2
Branching Effects on Delosperma and

Achillea
Delosperma
No increased branches with any treatment
Achillea
Increased branches only with 2 applications of 600 mgL-1 BA
Stunting with 2 applications of 800 or 1600 mgL-1 dikegulac sodium
Achillea finished plants treated twice
Untreated BA600x2
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4/16/2012
Exp. 4: Conclusions
In responsive plants, two treatments caused an increase in

branches compared to one treatment
BA increased branches without reducing height or causing
phytotoxicity
The combination of BA and dikegulac sodium was effective at
increasing branches in 4 of 6 plants studied
Two applications of 1600 mgL-1 dikegulac sodium caused
stunting in most plants studied
Both BA and dikegulac sodium caused flower delay in
Gaillardia
Outline
Introduction
Conclusions
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4/16/2012
Research Objectives
To study the effects of branching agents on herbaceous
perennial crops during liner production and on finished
plants
To improve plant architecture at an earlier stage of
production
Conclusions
Treating perennial liners BA and dikegulac sodium before
transplant changed plant architecture by increasing the numbers of
branches
Liner quality can be improved with application of PGRs
Results varied by species, as was expected (Gent and McAvoy, 2000)
BA and dikegulac sodium have a short period of activity in plants
A second application of PGRs after transplanting liners may be
beneficial
Phytotoxicity is generally transient
48
4/16/2012
Future Work
Timing of application
Multiple applications
Cytokinin analysis
Thanks to:
Dr. Joyce Latimer
Dr. Holly Scoggins
Dr. Eric Ervin
John Freeborn
Jeff Burr
Velva Groover
John James
Shawn Appling
Kevin Harris
Carly Reynolds
J.B. Snelson
Brianna Swanson
49
4/16/2012
References
Arzee, T., H. LangenDSer and J. Gressel. 1977. Effect of dikegulac, a new growth regulator, on apical growth and development of three
Compositae. Bot. Gaz. 138(1):1828.
Banko, T.J. and M.A. Stefani. 1995. Cutless and Atrimmec for controlling growth of woody landscape plants in containers. J. Environ.
Hort.13 (1):22-26.
Bell, M.L., R.A. Larson, and D.A. Bailey. 1997. Vegetative growth responses of florist azaleas to dikegulac, GA4+7, and 6-benzylamino
purine. HortScience 32 (4):690-693.
Bruner, L.L., G.J. Keever, J.R. Kessler, Jr., and C.H. Gilliam. 2002. Atrimmec suppresses shoot length and promotes branching of
Lonicera x heckrottii Goldflame (Goldflame honeysuckle). J. Environ. Hort. 20(2):3-76.
Carter, J., B.P. Singh and W. Whitehead. 1996. Dikegulac, but not benzyladenine, enhances the aesthetic quality of Boston fern.
HortScience 31:978-980.
Cline, M.G. Apical dominance. 1991. Bot. Rev. 57:318-358.
Dole, J.M. and H.F. Wilkins, 2005. Floriculture : principles and species. Pearson/Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, N.J.
Farris, M.E., G.J. Keever, J.R. Kessler, and J.W. Olive. 2009. Benzyladenine and cyclanilide promote shoot development and flowering
of Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam'. J. Environ. Hort. 27(3):176-182.
Gent, M.P.N. and R.J. McAvoy. 2000. Plant growth retardants in ornamental horticulture: a critical appraisal, p. 89-130. In Basra, A.S.
(ed.) Plant growth regulators in agriculture and horticulture: their role and commercial uses. Food Products Press, Binghamton.
Keever, G.J. 1994. BA-induced offset formation in Hosta. J. Environ. Hort. 12 (1):36-39.
Latimer, J. and J. Freeborn. 2008. Enhance branching of Echinacea with PGRs. Greenhouse Product News 18(4):2428.
References
Latimer, J.G. and J. Freeborn. 2010. Branching enhancers, BAigure (6-BA) and DSgeo (dikegulac sodium), affect branching of
herbaceous perennials. Proc. Plant Growth Regulat. Soc. Amer. 37:148-152.
Miller, C. O.; Skoog, F.; Von Saltza, M. H.; Strong, F. M. 1955. Kinetin, a Cell Division Factor from Deoxyribonucleic acid. J. Am.
Chem. Soc. 77:1392.
Martin, S. and S. Singletary. 1999. N-6 Benzyladenine increases lateral offshoots in a number of perennial species. Proc. Intl. Plant
Prop. Soc. 49:329-334.
Nightingale, A.E., S.E. Cross and M.T. Longnecker. 1985. Dikegulac alters growth and flowering of Kalanchoe. HortScience 20:722-
724.
Sachs, R.M., H. Hield, and J. DeBie. 1975. Dikegulac: a promising new foliar-applied growth regulator for woody species.
HortScience 10 (4):367-369.
Whitman, C. and E. Runkle. 2003. PGR rates and timing for plug production. Greenhouse Product News 13(12):38-43.
USDA 2011. Floriculture Crops 2010 Summary. Cited November 17, 2011.
<http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1072>
USDA 2009. Census of Horticultural Specialties.Cited November 17, 2011.

<http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/Online_Highlights/Census_of_Horticulture/HORTIC.pdf>
50
4/16/2012
Questions?
For More Information:

Mara Grossman: mgrossman@vt.edu
http://www.horticulture.vt.edu/floriculture
51

Using Plant Growth Regulators To Improve Plant Architecture in Herbaceous Perennial Plants

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Using Plant Growth Regulators To Improve Plant Architecture in Herbaceous Perennial Plants

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4/16/2012

Using Plant Growth

Liners and plug seedlings over 448 million dollars

Southwest Perennials Inc.,

Van Wingerden International, Inc.

Plants respond in different ways to PGRs

Treating liners prior to transplant can have

Release apical dominance

To study the effects of branching agents on herbaceous

Experiment One Objective

Exp. 1: Methods and Materials

Exp. 1: Methods and Materials

Exp. 1: Methods and Materials

Exp. 1: Methods and Materials

Exp. 1:Methods and Materials

Exp. 1:Methods and Materials

Exp. 1: Results and Discussion

Nine of eleven crops evaluated showed an increase in

Agastache Lateral Branches

Means followed by the same letter are not significantly

0 Untreated 300x1 300x2 600x1

Means followed by the same letter are not significantly

All BA treatments significantly increased lateral branches

Lavandula x intermedia Provence Lavandula Lateral Branches

Means followed by the same letter are not significantly

Untreated 300x1 300x2 600x1

Lateral branches and leaders

Untreated 300x1 300x2 600x1

Verbena Lateral Branches at 4 WAT

Means followed by the same letter are not significantly

Veronica Lateral Branches at 3 WAT Veronica 3 WAT

8 9.3a Lateral branching

Untreated 300x1 300x2 600x1

Exp. 1: Results and Discussion:

Untreated 300x1 300x2 600x1

Effects of BA on branching after transplant,

Lavandula 85% increase (only with two apps. of 300 mg L-1)

Untreated 300x1 300x2 600x1

Untreated 300x1 300x2 600x1

Lavandula x intermedia Provence

Exp. 1: Results and Discussion:

Four of eleven crops evaluated showed a decrease in root dry weight at

Leucanthemum xsuperbum Snowcap

Untreated 300x1 300x2 600x1

Results and Discussion:

Effects of BA on root dry weight at time of transplant, 3 or 4 WAT

Agastache Reduced 40%

Cosmos Reduced 40%

Lavandula Reduced only with two applications of 300 mg L-1

Leucanthemum Reduced 25-40%

Leucanthemum root surface area Leucanthemum root volume to

r = 0.77, p<0.0001 r = 0.78, p<0.0001

Correlation Root Dry Weight to Root Surface Area and

Root Dry Weight to Root Dry Weight to Root

Agastache 0.87 <0.0001 0.91 <0.0001

Leucanthemum finished plants

Untreated 300x1 300x2 600x1

Reduction in root dry weight did not affect appearance of finished

Root Reduction in Agastache

Untreated 300x1 300x2 600x1

Root dry weight reduced 40% at 3WAT

Untreated 300x1 300x2 600x1

Reduction in root dry weight of liners did not affect