Plant architecture manipulation and growth retardants influencing the Pot presentability of China aster (Callistephus chinensis L. Nees)

Pot presentability affects the overall aesthetic quality of ornamental plants, and is thus a key factor in their marketability. The major factors determining pot presentability are the growth and flowering of plants, which can be manipulated by changes in plant architecture through either pinching or application of plant growth retardants or both. The experiment included two levels of pinching: No pinching (P0) and Pinching (P1), two different growth retardants with three levels (concentrations): Chlormequat chloride (C0-0 ppm, C1-100 ppm, C2-200 ppm) and Paclobutrazol (P0-0 ppm, P1-50 ppm, P2-75 ppm) and were applied once after 15 days of pinching. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomised Design and replicated thrice. The results showed that pinching and the use of growth retardants contributed to more compact and well-proportioned plant growth. Pinching promoted lateral branching which leads to a bushier and fuller appearance and the growth retardants (Chlormequat chloride and Paclobutrazol) reduced internodal growth resulting in a more compact and controlled growth habit. The results indicated decreased plant height (26.68 cm, 25.90 cm, 26.23 cm), enhanced branch number (8.26, 9.93, 8.69), enhanced field life (69.78 DAT, 66.20 DAT, 69.15 DAT) and enhanced relative water content of petals (65.93