Abstract. The effects of chitosan treatment on plant growth and flower quality of Eustoma
grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinn. were investigated. The application of a soil mix of chitosan (1%,
w/w) at sowing time remarkably enhanced growth, whereas coating seed with 0.1%
chitosan in lactate was ineffective. Plants grown in the chitosan-treated soil flowered 15
days earlier than did control plants, and the number and weight of cut flowers produced
were greater than for control plants or plants from chitosan-treated seed. Chemical name
used: poly-(1→4)-β-D-glucoseamine (chitosan).