Potted platycodon production in response to paclobutrazol

ABSTRACT Platycodon grandiflorus is an ornamental species that can be marketed as a potted flower; however, it has fragile and bending floral stems. Plant growth regulators, such as paclobutrazol, are compounds that reduce stem elongation, enabling the production of plants with a more compact formation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of paclobutrazol on platycodon growth, in a greenhouse. A completely randomized blocks experimental design was used in a 4 × 5 factorial scheme, with four replicates. The treatments consisted of four varieties of ‘Astra Semi-Double’ platycodon (Blue, Lavender, Pink and White) and five paclobutrazol doses (0, 1.25, 2.5, 3.75 and 5.0 mg pot-1). The paclobutrazol application did not affect the stem diameter, number of leaves, days until anthesis, number of flowers or flower buds, and flower diameter. The shoot length, leaf area and shoot dry mass decreased with higher doses of the growth regulator. Lavender showed the highest values for shoot length, number of leaves, leaf area and shoot dry mass. Pink had the earliest anthesis, followed by Blue and White, whereas Lavender had the latest anthesis. The dose of 3.75 mg pot-1 of paclobutrazol efficiently controlled the growth and improved the visual quality of all the platycodon varieties.