Reducing Moisture Stress in Cornus f1orida

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate potential means for reducing moisture stress in Cornus florida. In experiment 1, the antitranspirant (Folicote), and defoliation treatments were applied before inducing stress and after withholding water for 1 week. Folicote was not effective at either application time in reducing moisture stress; plants treated with Folicote had similar shoot water potentials as untreated. Defoliation at both times reduced moisture stress compared to control plants. In experiment 2, two defoliants, (2 chloroethyl) phosphonic acid (ethephon) and 2,3 dihydro-5,6-dimethyl-1,4-dithiin 1,1,4,4, tetroxide (Harvade), were compared at 3 rates each. Percent defoliation of dogwood was similar among treatments after 26 days, with defoliation ranging from 78 to 94 percent.