Acceleration of Begonia X semperflorens-cultorum growth using supplemental irradiance
1991
Kessler, R. | Armitage, A.M. | Koranski, D.S.
Plug flats of Begonia X semperflorens-cultorum Hort. 'Pizzazz Red', 'Vodka', and 'Viva' were provided 0, 50, 125, or 200 micromole.s-1.m-2 metal-halide supplemental irradiance in the greenhouse for 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks. Treatments were initiated when seedlings were in the first true leaf stage (2 weeks after sowing). Plug-grown begonias reached transplantable dry weight and leaf area after 4 weeks of 125 micromole.s-1.m-2 supplemental exposure, while those under 0 and 50 micromole.s-1.m-2 required 6 to 8 weeks. Fewest number of days to visible bud and anthesis and the fewest number of nodes for all cultivars occurred after 2 weeks of 125 micromole.s-1.m-2 supplemental exposure. The same conditions achieved the greatest final leaf area and plant height; however, final dry weight was unaffected. Additional supplemental irradiance and/or exposure time did not accelerate flowering or improve vegetative growth of finished plants.
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