Abstract Plants raised in small cell trays are often subjected to root growth restrictions. Root tips are a source of cytokinin, and insufficient biosynthesis and transport of this hormone to the aerial part severely impairs shoot development. Exogenous supply of cytokinin to the foliage has been shown to effectively counteract these effects in several horticultural crops, but the physiological processes involved are still unclear. The aim of this work was to study the effect of spraying the cytokinin 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) on growth and development of plug lettuce seedlings focusing on the morpho-physiological mechanisms involved in plant response. Two experiments were conducted in a greenhouse. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. Crimor INTA) seedlings were grown for 35 days in 128-, 200- and 288-cells trays (17.37, 13.90 and 6.18 cm3·cell-1 respectively), after which they were sprayed with BAP (6-benzylaminopurine) solutions (0, 5, 50 or 100 mg·L-1) either immediately before transplant, or 7 days after transplant. Seedlings were transplanted into larger (3,000 cm3) pots in which they grew for further 60 days. Decreasing plug cell volume resulted in a steep decrease in plant net assimilation rate and leaf net photosynthetic rate, but the impact on the relative growth rate was somewhat lower due to an increased leaf area ratio. BAP sprays increased plant biomass accumulation and enhanced the development of photosynthetic area, in parallel with a strong promotion of carbon assimilation, and these effects were more remarkable in plants raised in smaller plugs, and when hormone was supplied at the pre-transplant stage.

Resumen Las plantas cultivadas en charolas de germinación de celdas pequeñas frecuentemente son sometidas a restricciones radicales. Las puntas de las raíces son una fuente de citoquinina, y la biosíntesis y el transporte de esta hormona a la parte aérea restringe severamente el desarrollo de los brotes. La aplicación de citoquinina al follaje ha demostrado ser efectiva para contrarrestar los efectos negativos en muchos cultivos hortícolas, pero los procesos fisiológicos involucrados permanecen inciertos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de asperjar citoquinina 6-bencilaminopurina (BAP) sobre el crecimiento y desarrollo de plántulas de lechuga, concentrándose en los mecanismos morfo-fisiológicos relacionados con la respuesta de la planta. Se realizaron dos experimentos en un invernadero; para ello, se cultivaron plántulas de lechuga (Lactuca sativa L. Crimor INTA) durante 35 días en charolas de germinación de 128, 200 y 288 celdas (17.37, 13.90 y 6.18 cm3·celda-1, respectivamente), después se asperjaron con soluciones de BAP (0, 5, 50 o 100 mg·L-1), antes del trasplante o 7 días después de este. Las plántulas se trasplantaron en macetas más grandes (3,000 cm3), donde crecieron por 60 días. La disminución de la celda redujo la tasa de asimilación neta de la planta y la tasa fotosintética neta, pero el impacto en la tasa de crecimiento relativo fue un poco menor debido al incremento de la relación del área foliar. Las aspersiones de BAP incrementaron la acumulación de biomasas y ampliaron el desarrollo del área fotosintética; asimismo, se promovió la asimilación de carbono. Estos efectos fueron destacables en las plantas cultivadas en celdas menores, y cuando la hormona fue suministrada en la etapa de pre-trasplante.

Resumo Samambaias são plantas ornamentais com baixa taxa de crescimento relativo e longo ciclo de produção, sendo cultivadas em vasos de pequenos volumes para otimizar o espaço comercial para venda. No entanto, os efeitos da restrição de raízes sob o manejo da planta podem limitar o acúmulo de biomassa e a área das frondes. Um spray exógeno com citocinina (6-benzil aminopurina (BAP)) foi sugerido como ferramenta para substituir a restrição de raízes em plantas cultivadas em vasos. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de diferentes doses de BAP (5, 50, 100 ou 200 mg L-1) aplicadas uma vez (7 dias após o transplante), duas vezes (7 e 30 dias após o transplante) ou três vezes (7, 30 e 60 dias após o transplante), no crescimento da planta e no desenvolvimento da área da folhagem em Asplenium nidus cultivadas em vasos. O aumento das doses de BAP e do número de aplicações levou a uma resposta incomum: uma diminuição excessiva no plastocrono da fronde e aumento significativo no número de frondes iniciado no meristema apical do caule. Este grande número de frondes não foi sustentado devido à baixa taxa fotossintética líquida das frondes mais jovens e aparência externa significativamente limitada.

Abstract Ferns are ornamental plants with a low relative growth rate and long production cycles, which are grown at small pot volumes to optimize the commercial space for sale. However, the root restriction effects under this plant management can limit biomass accumulation and frond area. Since an exogenous spray with cytokinin (6-benzyl aminopurine (BAP)) has been suggested as a tool to override the root restriction in plants grown in pots, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of different BAP doses (5, 50, 100 or 200 mg L-1) once (7 days after transplant), twice (7 and 30 days after transplant) or three times (7, 30, and 60 days after transplant), on plant growth and frond area development in spore-propagated Asplenium nidus fern plants grown in pots. Both increasing the BAP doses and number of applications led to an unusual response: an excessive decrease in the frond plastochron and a significant increase in the frond number initiated at the apical shoot meristem. This large frond number was not sustained due to the low net photosynthetic rate of the younger fronds and significantly limited outward appearance.