Flurprimidol: A growth retardant

Abstract

Controlling plant size is one of the most important aspects of crop production. Growers can control crop height genetically, environmentally, culturally or chemically. Genetic control of plant height is primarily achieved by selecting shorter cultivars. Environmental control involves manipulating light (increasing light intensity, minimizing far-red light, and photoperiod) or temperature (reducing the difference between the day and night temperatures, or DIF). Cultural control includes moisture management (stress) and phosphorus or nitrogen deprivation. These techniques can be effective height-suppressing strategies for some crops, but these techniques may not work equally well for each crop under a common environment. An alternative, effective strategy for controlling plant height is to use chemical plant growth retardants (PGRs). Flurprimidol is an alternative for Ancymidol that is at least two times as active and more stable. It is a synthetic inhibitor of Gibberrelic Acid biosynthesis. It is a growth retardant commonly use in horticultural crops in Europe. Flurprimidol is a pyrimidinyl carbinol type plant growth retardant. It acts by reducing the biosynthesis of gibberellins and translocation in plants is apoplastic. Flurprimidol is used on container grown ornamentals, pot plants and bedding plants to reduce internode length.