Abstract:In order to reveal the effects of plant growth retardant foliar sprays on the seedling growth and physiochemical characteristics of turfgrasses,different concentrations of ethephon (200,500,1 000,1 200,1 500 mg/L),paclobutrazol (50,100,250,500,800 mg/L),and chlormequat (chlormequat queous solution was diluted by 1 000,750,500,200 and 100 times respectively) were applied by foliar spraying on the perennial ryegrass seedlings,Lolium perenne, with cultivar of Shenshi,as tested material,and the effects of different treatments on plant height,leaf area,leaf length,leaf width,chlorophyll content,proline content,and root activity were analyzed.The results showed that three kinds of plant growth retardants inhibited the growth of plant height,leaf area and leaf length of perennial ryegrass,while the proline content and roots activity increased.However,the effect of paclobutrazol on the growth and physiological characteristics of perennial ryegrass was more significant than that of ethephon and chlormequat,and foliar spraying of paclobutrazol under concentration of 500 mg/L obtained the most optimal retardant effect for seedling dwarfing and lawn resistance to adverse environment.