Gardenia jasminoides Height Control Using a Photoselective Polyethylene Film

The use of chemical growth retardants is a standard practice for compact gardenia plant production. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using a photoselective polyethylene greenhouse covering film as an alternative to chemical treatment for production of compact potted gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides Ellis) plants. Two types of experiments were carried out: 1) on gardenia cuttings rooted in rooting benches; and 2) on young potted plants grown under low tunnels. In both experiments, two types of cover materials were used: 1) a photoselective polyethylene (P-PE), filtering light within the wavelength range 600 to 750 nm; and 2) a common polyethylene film (CPE) routinely used in greenhouse practice. Values of photosynthetically active radiation (in a wavelength of 400 to 700 nm), cover materials' spectral properties (in a wavelength range of 400 to 1100 nm), air temperature, and relative humidity were recorded inside the rooting benches and under the low tunnels. Plant growth parameters (main shoot length and leaf area and lateral shoot number, leaf area, and fresh and dry weight) were determined along the growth cycle. Cuttings rooted under the P-PE film received light with high zeta(n) values (ratio of R(n) : 655 to 665 nm to far red FR(n) : 725 to 735 nm) and high blue (B: 400 to 500 nm) to red (R: 600 to 700 nm) ratio (B:R) and were 68.7% shorter and had 21% lower leaf area compared with cuttings rooted under the C-PE film. Similarly, plants that were rooted and then grown under the low tunnels covered with the P-PE film, compared with plants rooted and grown under C-PE film, were 59% shorter, had 85% lower leaf area, 89% lower fresh weight, and 86% lower dry weight, whereas they did not produce lateral shoots. However, plants rooted under the C-PE film and then grown under the P-PE-covered low tunnels were 26% shorter and developed fewer laterals than plants rooted and grown under tunnels covered with C-PE film. Finally, plants rooted under the P-PE film and then grown under tunnels covered with C-PE film developed into compact, well-shaped plants, because they had a drastic reduction of height (56%) without an effect on leaf area, shoot and leaf fresh and dry weight, and the number of lateral shoots