losses in cereals. Growth regulators are now
becoming popular among the farming community.
Optimization of the structure of triazole systemic
fungicides led to the introduction of a nonfungicidal
growth retardant, paclobutrazol [ 11.
This triazole derivative is structurally related to
diclobutrazol, an antifungal agent [2] and plant
growth retardant [3]. Diclobutrazol has been
shown to produce dark green wheat and maize
seedlings [3,4]. This effect is also caused by other
triazole derivatives [5] and paclobutrazol [6]. It
has been related to enhanced chlorophyll and