Plant Growth Regulators:  Factors Affecting Plant Response

 

The effectiveness of  PGR applications are determined by 1) how much of the active ingredient is absorbed by the plant and reaches the appropriate tissue or cells, and 2) how sensitive the plant is to the PGR. Environmental conditions at the time of application, formulation of the material, and method of application all affect plant absorption. Tree age, tree vigor, dosage, timing, and cultivar all interact to affect plant sensitivity. By understanding the role of each of these variables, you will be better equipped to adjust PGR applications to compensate for year-to-year and block-to-block variation.

Environmental Conditions

Weather conditions before, during, and after applications affect response to PGRs. Warm temperatures, slow drying conditions, and healthy foliage will enhance absorption and increase plant response. Cool temperatures, fast drying conditions, and damaged trees or foliage will decrease plant response. Because low humidity and high temperatures are typical of Intermountain West, evening or night-time applications are typically best to allow for proper drying time and to avoid volatilization and photo-degradation of PGRs. 

Tree Vigor and Age

Weak trees and young trees are more responsive to PGRs. Stressors such as lack of water, low nitrogen, or plant or leaf injury also increase sensitivity. Doses should be decreased, or application eliminated for trees that are stressed. Although damaged foliage can reduce absorption, weak trees can still be oversensitive to PGR applications.

Dosage

Compared to crop protectants (insecticides and fungicides) PGRs have a relatively narrow acceptable dose range, where overdose can result in negative side effects. Conversely, when the dose is too low, none of the desired response will be achieved. Therefore, PGRs should be applied in very precise and low concentrations. Extreme care must be taken to mix and apply these chemicals accurately to avoid incorrect dosage. Because applying the correct dose is more difficult for low-volume sprays, PGRs should be applied as dilute high-volume sprays (100 + gallons per acre) to ensure proper and uniform coverage. Growers that only have access to low-volume sprayers should use the highest volume possible.  

Spray Tank Considerations

Surfactants are a class of spray tank additives that affect the surface tension properties of the spray solution, which increases leaf wetting in order to increase absorption. Read the PGR product label carefully before including a surfactant. Many of the commercial PGRs come formulated with surfactants to provide the proper solution characteristics for leaf wetting. Adding more surfactant to the spray tank solution may not appreciably improve PGR delivery and may decrease retention of the spray solution on the surface of the plant.  

Many PGRs are sensitive to spray solution pH, where the stability and activity of the PGR molecules are best in slightly acidic solution. Many of the PGRs are weak organic acids, and when placed in alkaline water typical of the Intermountain West, become negatively charged. These materials cannot move into the plant in this negatively charged (“dissociated”) form. A spray tank buffer will improve both the stability and uptake of the PGR. PGRs should not be tank mixed with pesticides. 

Timing

PGRs can cause different effects when applied at different times during the season.  For a predictable response to occur, PGRs must be applied in a narrow time period, usually within a few days.

Cultivar

Different cultivars display varying degrees of responsiveness to PGR application.  This is especially true for chemical thinning.

Evaluating and Monitoring Plant Response

To evaluate the effectiveness of PGR treatments, leave some trees untreated for comparison.  Keeping detailed accurate records of application rates, weather, and plant response will help in making adjustments during future years to achieve the optimal response.