Recommendations for use of the plant growth regulator Mepiquat Chloride (MC) usually do not consider differences among cotton cultivars. The objective of this research was to evaluate the growth and development of cotton cultivars after seed soaking with Mepiquat Chloride. The cultivars used were IPR-120, IAC-24, CD-405, Delta Opal e Fibermax 966, whose seeds were soaked in a solution containing 2.0 g of Mepiquat Chloride diluted in 100 mL of deionized water during 12 hours. Seeds were sown in pots and plants were grown under greenhouse conditions. The parameters evaluated were plant height, height of the cotyledon node insertion, stem diameter, leaf area and shoot dry matter. The cultivars presented differential responses to growth regulator, being cultivars Fibermax 966, Delta Opal and CD 405 the most sensitive. The treatment was effective in reducing the plant height and cotyledon node insertion, leaf area and shoot dry matter. Assimilates partitioning was also affected when comparing control and treated plants.
Gossypium hirsutum r. latifolium; pix; assimilates partitioning; growth reduction
