PLANT-GROWTH REGULATORS AND THE ORCHID CUT-FLOWER INDUSTRY

Research involving plant growth regulators (PGRs) and orchids in areas of orchid growth and development are reviewed. For all areas covered in the review - seed germination and seedling growth, lateral shoot pr oduction, root production, flower initiation and development, postharv est physiology, and photosynthate partitioning - it was concluded that further studies would assist in clarifying potential uses for PGRs in the orchid cut-flower industry. It is suggested that extra PGR resear ch on orchids is justified at the present time because of favourable p rospects facing the orchid cut-flower industry.