Which of the following statements is true regarding plant growth regulators (PGRs) during flowering?

The statement that PGRs are critical for maximizing yield potential during the flowering stage is accurate. Plant growth regulators play a significant role in influencing various physiological processes in plants, including flowering, fruit set, and overall plant health.

During the flowering stage, PGRs can enhance pollination efficiency and increase fruit set, which directly contributes to yield potential. Specifically, they can help regulate the timing of flowering and can improve the quality and quantity of blooms, ensuring that the plants are more productive. For crops like cotton, optimizing the flowering process is crucial since it ultimately impacts the size and quality of the cotton bolls produced.

The other statements do not accurately reflect the role of PGRs. Saying that PGRs are unnecessary during this stage dismisses their importance in yield optimization. Stating that PGRs should only be applied after flowering overlooks the benefits of applying them during flowering. Lastly, while certain PGRs might influence fruit quality negatively, this is not a universal truth and is contingent on the type and method of application. Thus, the statement about PGRs being critical during the flowering stage correctly highlights their importance in enhancing yield potential.