Crotalaria retusa L. As A Potential Ornamental Plant

Abstract

Exotic plants are widely used in landscape designs. However it needs intensive maintenance compared to native plants. Hence, an attention has been directed to introducing native plants to the landscape industry. Crotalaria retusa is an attractive native plant with yellow colour flowers. It attracts butterflies in large numbers. Hence, the present study was conducted with the objective of introducing C. retusa to the landscape industry. In fulfilling the said objective, following objectives were fulfilled viz., identification of the germination percentage of seeds under different seed treatments, investigation of wildlife potential and development of a dwarf potted plant. Seeds of C. retusa were subjected to different seed treatments and scarification of seed coat using sand paper recorded the highest seed germination. Hence seeds possess a physical dormancy. Insect visitation was observed in field grown plots where this plant attract 12 different insect species including butterflies in large numbers. Two visitation peaks were recorded from 8.00 - 9.00 a.m. and from 5.00 – 6.00 p.m. In view of developing dwarf plants, Paclobutrazol (PBZ) was applied as soil drench with 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg/100 mL concentrations. Distilled water was used as the control. Height of the all plants that treated with PBZ was reduced when compared to the control. However, the lowest height was recorded by T5 (4 mg/100 mL) among other treatments. Therefore, 4 mg/100 mL was the effective PBZ concentration for making dwarf plants.