Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

The experiment entitled “Effect of growth regulators and disbudding on Relative Growth Rate (RGR) and Net Assimilation Rate (NAR) in dahlia (Dahlia variabilis) cv. Charmit” was conducted at Urban Technology Park, Habak during 2021, to evaluate the response of dahlia to different growth regulators (Ethephon @ 500, 750 and 1000 ppm, Alar @ 1000, 2000 and 3000 ppm and Maleic hydrazide @ 500, 750, and 1000 ppm) and disbudding. Twenty different treatment combinations were replicated thrice in a Randomized Completely Block Design. Significant differences were observed in Relative Growth Rate (RGR) and Net Assimilation Rate (NAR) under the influence of growth regulators and disbudding. Removal of flower buds had a significant influence on all the vegetative and tuber parameters. Disbudded plants recorded lower values for RGR of stem but higher values for RGR of tuber and NAR compared to plants with no disbudding. Among all growth regulators Maleic hydrazide was found most effective followed by Ethephon and Alar in modifying the plant architecture.