Chemical Dwarfing of 'Kpakpo Shito’ (Capsicum Sinense Jacq.) Plants Grown Under Glasshouse Conditions: Response of 'Kpakpo Shito' Plants to Different Concentrations and Doses of Paclobutrazol

Abstract

The dwarfing effect of concentration and dosage of applied paclobutrazol through soil drenching on 'Kpakpo Shito' (Capsicum sinense Jacq.) plants grown in plastic pots at Wye College, University of London, U.K. in winter (October to March) under glasshouse conditions was investigated. The dosage of chemical applied to reduce vegetative growth was not as critical as concentration. All doses of 10ppm and 10ml of the higher concentrations (20 and 50ppm) were ineffective in reducing vegetative growth. Applying 20 to 40ml of 50ppm paclobutrazol greatly reduced vegetative growth while the same range of dosage of the 20ppm concentration reduced vegetative growth to an optimum. Reproductive growth was not significantly influenced by the treatments. It became evident that paclobutrazol is potent in modifying the form of 'Kpakpo Shito' plants without adversely affecting reproductive growth