Influence of Growth Retardant Chemicals on Stock Plant Growth and Subsequent Rooting of Verbena (Verbena X hybrida) Cuttings

Abstract

Two phases greenhouse experiment was conducted at Florensis Ethiopia plc with the objective of determining the growth response of stock plants and subsequent rooting of cuttings of Verbena X hybrida cultivar ‘Vegas Scarlet’ to individual and combined application of Cycocel (CCC) and Alar. The experiment was laid down as 4x4 factorial experiment involving two different growth retardants as factor, with four levels in a complete randomized design (CRD) with three replications. On stock plants it was vividly observed that interaction of Alar and Cycocel considerably affected most of the evaluated parameters except the number of cuttings. Accordingly, the maximum number of main branches was obtained from the combination of 1ml L 1 CCC and 2g L Alar. Moreover, the combined application of 1.5ml L CCC and 3g L Alar notably reduced 1 1 1 internode length, stem length, root fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot fresh weight and dry weight. The maximum number of cuttings was achieved at concentration 1ml L CCC. The combination of 1.5ml L CCC 1 1 and 3g L resulted in maximum stem diameter. As far as the persistent effect of the treatments on subsequent 1 rooting is concerned, the maximum number of roots per cutting was recorded from cuttings of stock plants treated with 0.5ml L CCC and 2g L Alar. Overall, the investigation entails that Alar and Cycocel can 1 1 influence growth of Verbena hybrida and cutting yield thereof without significantly reducing rooting performance of cuttings. From commercial grower point of view, obtaining large number of quality cuttings is crucial. Hence, application of 1ml L Cycocel, which demonstrated positive influence on cutting production, 1 can be recommended for use by commercial growers in Ethiopia.