EFFECT OF BRASSINOLIDE AND CPPU ON GROWTH AND FLOWERING OF Antirrhinum majus L. cv. Rocket mix

Abstract

An experiment to study the effect of Brassinolide and CPPU on growth and flowering of Antirrhinum majus cv. Rocket mix was carried out from 15/10/2009 to 1/10/2010. Two factors were tested; Brassinolide levels (0, 0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/l) and CPPU levels (0, 4 and 8 mg/l). Results could be summarized as follows: Foliar sprays of BL at 0.05 mg/l significantly increased number of leaves, number of branches, leaf area, chlorophyll content and dry weight of vegetative growth stood at 353.5 leaf / plant, 39.43 branch/plant, 3177 cm2 , 51.13 SPAD and 37.16 g respectively. Number of inflorescences, length, diameter of floral stem and dry weight of inflorescence stood at 25.57 inflorescence/plant, 46.50 cm, 8.61 mm and 20.90 g respectively. Foliar sprays of CPPU positively influenced all vegetative and flowering characteristics with the exception of flowering time. Foliar spray at 8 mg/l significantly increased plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, leaf area, chlorophyll content and dry weight of vegetative growth stood at 91.82 cm, 364.9 leaf/plant, 40.75 branch/plant, 3672 cm2 , 51.94 SPAD and 42.74 g respectively. Number of inflorescences/plant (26.44), flowering date (21.33 day), floral stem length (48.13 cm), floral stem diameter (8.70 mm), inflorescence dry weight (22.00 g) and vase life (8.32 day) were significantly increased as well.