Growth and Quality Response of Potted Marigold (Tagetes erecta) by Applying the Method of Pinching and Retard

Abstract

Potted plants are generally used as interior decoration, and they require an ideal posture with lots of flowers to enhance sales. This can be achieved by removing apical dominance and applying retardant. This study examines the effect of pinching and paclobutrazol on growth and flowering of marigold pots. This study uses factorial randomized block design with two factors. Pinching (without pinching, single pinching, double pinching) was the first factor and paclobutrazol concentration (0, 15, 30, 45 ppm) was the second factor; both were repeated three times. The results show that pinching and paclobutrazol af ected growth and flower quality. The quality of pinching and paclobutrazol plants decreased plant height and leaf area but increased plant dry matter and a number of flowers. On the other hand, canopy increased on pinching and decreased on paclobutrazol. Quality parameters were achieved on pinching with 45 ppm paclobutrazol indicated as a good fit in producing ornamental pot plant.