Evaluation of Plant Growth Regulators

In recent years, interest in plant growth retardants (PGRs) for use on turfgrass has been very high. This interest has occurred because of the availability of some new experimental compounds, increases in fuel and labor rates, and the desire for people to have more recreation time. In the past, turfgrass PGRs were primarily foliage-absorbed compounds; however, the identification of root or crown absorbed experimental compounds (such as MON-4620) has created a renewed interest in the evaluation and potential use of a PGR on turfgrass.

This paper presents an overview of Monsanto's development efforts to identify and implement turfgrass PGR evaluation parameters, and it discusses the need to standardize these evaluation parameters with both chemical industry and university researchers.