Effect of growth retardants on quality production of pot mums

Chrysanthemum or mums (Dendranthema grandiflora) have been grown in gardens for hundreds of years but only in last decade scientists emphasized on making them better plants for home garden, rather than for cut flower industry. Pot mums are versatile, attractive, and can be marketed almost in any size and container type. In order to maintain their height, compactness it is necessary to use plant growth retardants. Plant growth retardants are commonly used to inhibit stem elongation of many ornamental plants. Plant growth retardants act by inhibiting cell division in the sub apical meristem of the shoot. They are commonly used in the production of bedding plants to control plant growth and habit during production and to improve plant appearance and quality during marketing. The type of growth inhibition is, in part, dependent on the concentration of growth retardant applied and species. At low concentrations, growth retardants typically reduce cell elongation, whereas at high concentrations the reduction is increasingly due to a reduced cell division. There are several plant growth retardants like Paclobutrazol, Ancymidol, Sumagic, A-Rest, Daminozide, Cycoceal. Plant growth retardants in ornamental plants are commonly applied to limiting stem elongation and produce more compact, sturdy potted plants without changing developmental patterns or evoke phytotoxic effects. Growth retardants also enhance stress tolerance, green colour of the foliar and postharvest longevity. These growth retardants may be applied as foliar spray, drench at different concentrations according to the variety.