The paclobutrazol application and pinching technique on Lisianthus plants (Eustoma grandiflorum)

Abstract The research concerns on the paclobutrazol application and the pinching technique on Lisianthus plants (Eustoma grandiflorum). This research aimed to determine the appropriate time to apply the paclobutrazol and pinching technique suitable for Lisianthus potted plants. This study was carried out using factorial experiments consisting of two factors, arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design. The first factor was the time of application of paclobutrazol that consist of A0 (Without paclobutrazol application), A1 (Application of paclobutrazol 6 days after planting), A2 (Application of paclobutrazol 12 days after planting), A3 (Application of paclobutrazol 18 days after planting). The second factor of technique pinching was P0 (Without pinching), P1 (Single pinching technique), P2 (1½ pinching technique), P3 (Double pinching technique). The data were analyzed using analysis of variance at the 5% level and mean separations with Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The results showed that the application of paclobutrazol and pinching technique could shorten Lisianthus plants. The application of paclobutrazol decreased the number of flowers per plant and shortened the flower stalks. The pinching technique increases the number of branches, number of internodes, number of nodes, number of flowers per plant. The application of paclobutrazol 18 days after planting and double pinching techniques were able to shorten the height of lisianthus plants with dense branching and many flowers.