Effects of top pruning on fruiting characters of Platycodon grandiflorum / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of top pruning on fruiting characters of Platycodon grandiflorum, and find the suitable stage, in which seed growth and development furtherly.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>One-year old seedlings were chosen and planted in field. Plant height, branching number, fruit number per plant, 1000 grains weight were measured during growth and development period, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The treatment of top pruning postponed in turn the flowering date, lowered the plant heights and the fruit number per plant, increased the branching number and influenced significantly on 1000 grains weights.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The suitable stage of top pruning for producing seeds was from June 20th to July 5th.</p>