EFFECT OF DAMINOZIDE ON THE GROWTH AND FLOWERING OF Eustoma grandiflorum PROPAGATED IN POTTED

Daminozide (B-Nine) it is a plant growth regulator, is translocated from the leaves to the stem to avoid elongation and produce more compact plants and uniform growth and vigor. For the cultivation of Lisiathus the information of the damonizide application is scarce despite of great marketing potential, so the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of daminozide on the vegetative growth and flowering of Lisianthus grown in pot. Granulated Lisianthus seeds were germinated and transplanted into pots under nursery conditions. Three foliar applications of daminozide were realized; two applications in vegetative stage and one in flowering, adding three concentrations in each of them (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 ml L–1) were used and water was applied as a control during the vegetative and flowering phases. The applications of daminozide at 1.0 and 1.5 ml L–1 were optimal for the vegetative development in Lisianthus (plant height – 15 cm, size of the internodes – 2.5 cm, number of branches – 3, width and length of the leaves – 3 cm and 6.5 cm), while the dose of 0.5 ml L–1 was favorable for all flowering stages (beginning of flowering – 182 buttons, sepals closed and larger than the petals – 53), visible petals larger than the sepals – 25, floral opening and full flowering – 3 flowers per plant). Based on these results, the application of B-Nine at low concentrations (0.5 and 1 ml L–1) is recommended for the development of Lisianthus in pots.