Use of Controlled Water Deficit to Regulate Poinsettia Stem Elongation

Abstract

Height regulation is crucial in poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) production for both aesthetics and postharvest handling. Controlled water deficit (WD) offers a potential alternative to plant growth retardants (PGRs) for poinsettia height regulation. We have previously shown that WD can be used to regulate poinsettia stem elongation. However, it is not clear how WD can be used to achieve different plant heights and how it affects aesthetic qualities such as bract size. Our objectives were to determine whether a range of plant heights can be achieved using controlled WD and to investigate possible adverse effects of WD on shoot morphology. Rooted cuttings of poinsettia ‘Classic Red’ were transplanted into 15-cm pots filled with 80% peat:20% perlite (v/v) substrate. Three target heights (43.2, 39.4, and 35.6 cm) were set at pinching (Day 27) and height tracking curves were used to monitor plants throughout the production cycle (77 days from pinching to finish). Substrate volumetric water content (θ) was maintained at 0.40 m3·m−3 (a matric potential of ≈–5 kPa) during well-watered conditions and reduced to 0.20 m3·m−3 (≈–75 kPa) when plants were taller than desired based on the height tracking curves. Control plants were maintained at a θ of 0.40 m3·m−3 throughout the study and had a final height of 51.2 cm. Plants with the 35.6-cm target height exceeded the upper limits of the height tracking curve despite being kept at a θ of 0.20 m3·m−3 for 70 days and had a final height of 39.8 cm. The final plant heights in the 39.4- and 43.2-cm target height treatments were 41.3 and 43.5 cm, respectively, within the 2.5-cm margin of error of their respective target heights. Relative to control plants, bract area was reduced by 53%, 47%, and 31% in the 35.6-, 39.4-, and 43.2-cm target height treatments, respectively. Our results indicate that WD can be an effective method of height control, but WD may also decrease bract size.