Abstract

Inhibition of basal sprout development on Lagerstroemia indica L. × fauriei Koehne ‘Natchez’ and L. indica L. ‘Country Red’ was achieved with 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) applied as a directed trunk spray or in a lanolin paste. A directed trunk spray was more effective than lanolin paste application in reducing sprout number and dry weight; plant height of ‘Country Red’, but not ‘Natchez’ crapemyrtle, was reduced by spray application compared to lanolin paste application or the control. Sprout number and dry weight of both crapemyrtle cultivars, shoot dry weight of both cultivars sprayed, and plant height of sprayed ‘Country Red’ crapemyrtle decreased with increasing NAA rate. NAA rate did not affect shoot dry weight of either cultivar or height of ‘Country Red’ crapemyrtle treated with NAA in a lanolin paste. Height of ‘Natchez’ crapemyrtle treated by either method of application was not affected by NAA rate.