Research on the Role of Plant Growth Regulators in Regulating Plant Flowering
When plants reach a certain stage of growth and development, under suitable environmental conditions, they transition to reproductive growth, forming flower buds at specific locations, followed by flowering and fruiting. The number of flower buds differentiated directly affects later fruit production and yield; the alternate bearing phenomenon in most fruit trees is caused by the number of flower buds differentiated. Extensive research has been conducted to rationally regulate flower bud differentiation:
Pineapples are a fruit in southern China with highly inconsistent ripening periods, lasting only about 20 days. Implementing Ethephon-induced flowering regulation can transform a single crop into multiple crops. Planned application of Ethephon at different times to promote flower bud differentiation can extend the fruiting and harvesting period of pineapples in South China from 25-30 days to about 200 days, greatly benefiting pineapple production and market supply.
Apple size can be controlled using certain plant growth regulators, such as Paclobutrazol, Chlormequat Chloride, Ethephon, and cytokinins or mixtures thereof, achieving the desired yield in both the current year and subsequent years.
Other fruit trees, such as pears and grapes, can also have their vegetative growth regulated and flower bud formation promoted using chlormequat chloride (CCC) and 6-BA.
Simultaneously, plant growth regulators can also inhibit flower bud differentiation. In high-yield years, applying approximately 300 mg/L gibberellin to apples and pears 2-6 weeks before flower bud differentiation can inhibit excessive flower bud formation. Gibberellin can also inhibit flower bud differentiation in apricots and cherries; and it can control flower bud differentiation in grapes.
Furthermore, the use of plant growth regulators can reduce the formation of ineffective flowers, delay flower opening, and prolong the flowering period. Using phosphorus regulators can significantly reduce the formation of ineffective flowers in peanuts. Applying gibberellin to grapes and some stone fruit trees in autumn can delay their flowering date in the following spring, which is significant for preventing early spring frosts.
Paclobutrazol and Chlormequat Chloride CCC can both prolong the flowering time of chrysanthemums, with Paclobutrazol (Paclo) being particularly effective, extending the flowering time by more than 10 days.
Pineapples are a fruit in southern China with highly inconsistent ripening periods, lasting only about 20 days. Implementing Ethephon-induced flowering regulation can transform a single crop into multiple crops. Planned application of Ethephon at different times to promote flower bud differentiation can extend the fruiting and harvesting period of pineapples in South China from 25-30 days to about 200 days, greatly benefiting pineapple production and market supply.
Apple size can be controlled using certain plant growth regulators, such as Paclobutrazol, Chlormequat Chloride, Ethephon, and cytokinins or mixtures thereof, achieving the desired yield in both the current year and subsequent years.
Other fruit trees, such as pears and grapes, can also have their vegetative growth regulated and flower bud formation promoted using chlormequat chloride (CCC) and 6-BA.
Simultaneously, plant growth regulators can also inhibit flower bud differentiation. In high-yield years, applying approximately 300 mg/L gibberellin to apples and pears 2-6 weeks before flower bud differentiation can inhibit excessive flower bud formation. Gibberellin can also inhibit flower bud differentiation in apricots and cherries; and it can control flower bud differentiation in grapes.
Furthermore, the use of plant growth regulators can reduce the formation of ineffective flowers, delay flower opening, and prolong the flowering period. Using phosphorus regulators can significantly reduce the formation of ineffective flowers in peanuts. Applying gibberellin to grapes and some stone fruit trees in autumn can delay their flowering date in the following spring, which is significant for preventing early spring frosts.
Paclobutrazol and Chlormequat Chloride CCC can both prolong the flowering time of chrysanthemums, with Paclobutrazol (Paclo) being particularly effective, extending the flowering time by more than 10 days.
