APPLICATION OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS IN ORNAMENTAL PLANTS: A REVIEW

Ornamental plants hold an important status in the horticultural industry of the world. Plant growth regulators consist of a large group of naturally occurring or synthetically produced organic chemicals and considered as helping tool in the modern production system of ornamentals. Their exogenous application helps to improve the different economically important and market desirable characteristics of ornamental plants. The use of plant growth regulators is being practiced by the commercial growers of ornamental plants as a part of cultural practice. There are various factors contributing to the efficacy of plant growth regulators and the method of application plays key role in determining the effectiveness of plant growth regulators, as PGRs can be effective if properly absorbed by plants. There are various methods of application of PGRs but the most popular are foliar sprays, drenching and pre-plant soaking while the efficacy of each method depends on the various factors including the mode of absorption of PGRs by different plant parts, method of application and environmental factors. Further development to focus the variables that can affect the response of plant to plant growth regulators will help to increase the efficiency of PGRs and avoid phytotoxicity which can maximize their productivity.