Biomass accumulation and leaf shape can be modulated by an exogenous spray of 6-benzylaminopurine in the ornamental foliage plant, Monstera deliciosa (Liebm.)

Summary The productivity of ornamental foliage plants is related to their capacity to increase their leaf number and leaf size. In Monstera deliciosa, a change in leaf shape is also a pre-requisite for successful marketing. The aim of this work was to describe the effects of different concentrations of exogenous 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP; 5, 50, 100, or 200 mg l–1) on the control of both leaf size and leaf shape in M. deliciosa, and the impact of these changes on commercial plant productivity. We found an increase of between 15.4 – 23.1% in the rate of leaf appearance (RLA), which reflected a shortening of the phyllochron, and an increase of between 17.5 – 34.9% in the relative rate of leaf area expansion (RLAE) at most of the BAP concentrations tested. This resulted in higher biomass accumulation in both roots and shoots through an increase of between 5.4 – 7.9% in the relative growth rate (RGR), mainly associated with higher net assimilation rates (NAR; increases from 9.0-fold to 11.0-fold) and increased photoassimilate partitioning to the shoots. The most important result of this work was the early appearance of perforated leaf laminae in M. deliciosa plants sprayed with 50 – 200 mg l–1 BAP, which made them ready for sale.