Abstract

Uniconazole was applied as a foliar spray or medium drench to six woody landscape species: ‘Sunglow’ azalea; flame azalea; ‘Spectabilis’ forsythia; ‘Compacta’ holly; ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ holly; and mountain pieris. One hundred days after uniconazole application, leaf, stem, and top dry weight of all species, except flame azalea and mountain pieris, decreased as uniconazole concentration increased. Compared to controls, stem and leaf dry weight were reduced by uniconazole 18 to 60% and 13 to 32%, respectively, depending on species and method of application. Stem dry weight was reduced to a greater degree, compared to leaf dry weight. For all species, drench application was more effective than foliar spray in reducing leaf, stem, and top dry weight. Leaf area of ‘Spectabilis’ forsythia and ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ holly decreased with increasing rates. However, specific leaf weight was not affected. Uniconazole did not significantly affect leaf net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance or internal leaf CO₂ concentrations in ‘Spectabilis’ forsythia or ‘Nellie R. Stevens’ holly. No phytotoxicity was observed on any species.