Response of the Kalanchoe plant growth regulators
Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) is an important ornamental potted plant. The market requires vigorous growth, small size (maximum 21 cm in height) and at least ten open flowers per pot (number 11). Growers use to apply plant growth regulators inhibitors of gibberellin synthesis to obtain compact first class Kalanchoe plants. The CCC (chlormequat chloride), an inhibitor of the gibberellin synthesis, is not commonly applied in Kalanchoe plants. However, in other ornamental plants, CCC has been linked to plants that are attractive, compact, with strong stems and green leaves. The application of cytokinin has been related to more number of stems and flower buds per plant. To reduce the size and increase the number of flowers per plant this study evaluated the effect of the application of Tuval™ (100g L-1 of CCC) in Kalanchoe and seaweed extract of Ascophyllum nodosum (compound containing natural cytokinin). The results showed that the Tuval™ at 1000 and 2000 mg L-1 reduced the Kalanchoe plant height. However the final height was not small enough to produce compact first-quality plants and there was no clear effect of A. nodosum extract at 2000 mg L-1.