Influence of growth retardants on growth, physiology and yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

An experiment was conducted with mepiquat chloride, maleic hydrazide, cycocel and TIBA at different concentrations to evaluate their growth retardants effect on sunflower. Among the treatments, mepiquat chloride at 2000 ppm recorded significant retardation on morphological, growth and yield parameters compared to other treatments. Plant height decreased significantly with the foliar spray of mepiquat chloride at 2000 ppm. Maximum increase in number of leaves, total dry weight, leaf area index and leaf area duration was also observed with mepiquat chloride. Similar effect was also recorded with respect to yield and yield attributes.