EFFECT OF DAMINOZIDE AND FERTILIZER APPLICATION ON THE NUMBER OF BUDS AND INFLORESCENCES OF NEW ENGLAND ASTER GROWN UNDER THE SHORT PHOTOPERIOD CONDITIONS

Abstract

The aim of the trial run from 1992 to1994 was to investigate the effect of daminozide (2000 mg/l and 4000 mg/l) as well as of topdressing with a 1.5% solution of liquid mineral fertilizer upon the flowering of potted Aster novae-angliae 'September Ruby', grown from top and lateral cuttings under the short photoperiod conditions. The largest number of buds of plants grown from top cuttings was achieved with the combination of 4000 mg/l daminozide and fertilizer application, which in 1992 resulted in 2.2 and in 1993 in 6.3 times more buds than in the control variant. Application of 4000 mgl/l daminozide in 1992 influenced an increase in the number of inflorescences by 27.6% and 41.7% in plants grown from top and lateral cuttings, respectively. No reduction in the number of inflorescences due to daminozide application was recorded. Plants grown from top cuttings had a larger number of inflorescences except in 1994. Since daminozide has no adverse effect upon flowering, its application to this perennial is possible from this aspect.