Zeatin, a plant growth regulator specifically designed for chili peppers, efficiently promotes flower and fruit retention, enhances fruit enlargement, prevents fruit drop, and boosts stress resistance. As a naturally derived biological growth regulator suitable for the entire growth cycle of chili peppers, it offers a high safety profile with no risk of chemical residues.
Core Mechanism of Zeatin
As a natural cytokinin, zeatin directly increases chlorophyll content in chili pepper leaves and enhances stomatal conductance, significantly boosting the net photosynthetic rate. It also activates antioxidant enzymes—such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD)—to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated under stress. By strengthening the plant’s physiological resilience, it addresses the root causes of issues like flower and fruit drop, as well as the development of stunted or undersized fruit.
Four Key Benefits of Zeatin
Effective Flower Retention and Prevention of Abscission: Zeatin inhibits the formation of abscission zones in flower and fruit stalks, improves pollen viability and pollination success, and substantially reduces the shedding of flowers and buds caused by adverse conditions such as high temperatures or low-light, low-temperature environments. This can increase the fruit-setting rate by over 30%.
Promotion of Fruit Enlargement: Zeatin accelerates cell division in young fruit and facilitates the targeted transport of photosynthetic nutrients to the fruit. This results in uniform, well-shaped chili peppers, increases individual fruit weight by 15%–20%, and helps prevent stunted, abnormally short, or deformed fruit.
Enhanced Stress Resistance: Zeatin significantly improves the tolerance of chili peppers to unfavorable environmental conditions, including low temperatures, low light, high heat, and drought. It effectively mitigates stress-related damage in greenhouse-grown crops (such as those in autumn/winter or early spring cycles) and reduces the incidence of physiological disorders.
Improved Quality, Yield, and Profitability: By extending the functional lifespan of leaves and delaying plant senescence, zeatin prolongs the harvest period. It results in more vibrant fruit coloration and a higher proportion of marketable produce, leading to an overall yield increase of over 20%.
Scientific Application of Zeatin Throughout the Chili Pepper Growth Cycle
Seedling Stage (after the emergence of 6 true leaves): Apply a 150 μmol/L zeatin solution as a foliar spray. Four consecutive applications will significantly promote plant height, stem thickness, and root development, while greatly enhancing the seedlings' ability to withstand low-temperature and low-light conditions, ultimately fostering robust, healthy seedlings. Initial Flowering Stage: Apply a mixture of zeatin and boron fertilizer as a foliar spray over the entire plant, focusing specifically on the flower buds. Repeat the application once after an interval of 7–10 days (for a total of two treatments). This helps reduce the occurrence of weak or malformed flowers, improves the quality of flower buds, and lays a solid foundation for fruit set.
Full Flowering Stage: Apply a zeatin solution of an appropriate concentration directly and evenly onto the blossoms—avoid drenching the entire plant. This significantly enhances fruit set and reduces the shedding of flowers and buds. Effectiveness can be further improved by combining this with 50 mg/kg of 1-naphthylacetic acid (NAA).
Young Fruit Stage: Seven days after the blossoms have fallen, apply a mixture of zeatin and potassium dihydrogen phosphate as a foliar spray. Follow up with a second application 10 days later. This promotes fruit enlargement and uniform, straight fruit development; the addition of potassium fertilizer can further enhance overall fruit quality.
