Comparative effectiveness of short-term daily temperature drop and periodic drough as methods to regulate elongation of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants

Daily short-term temperature drop (DROP) and “periodic drought” (non-lethal water deficit) are used for plant height control as techniques inhibiting plant growth as an alternative to the use of retardants (chemical growth control). However, it is not known which of these two techniques is more effective and whether their combined effect can be stronger. In this paper taking cucumber as an example we have shown for the first time that a temperature drop technique is more effective than “periodic drought”. Temperature drops combined with “periodic drought” retard plant growth and enhance plant tolerance, but depending on the relative air humidity may decrease values of some physiological and morphological parameters. The aim of this work was: (a) a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of DROP treatments and “periodic drought”, and (b) the study of the combined effects of these two techniques on plant growth and tolerance to chilling temperature and water stress. Cucumber plants ( Cucumis sativus L...