Intermittent lighting in chrysanthemum production
2002
Alejandro, V.D. | Tandang, L.L. | Boteng, J.D. (Benguet State Univ., La Trinidad, Benguet (Philippines))
Twenty-one chrysanthemum cultivars obtained from local and foreign sources were subjected to two lighting regimes: continuous lighting (farmers' practice) and intermittent lighting. Farmers' practice consisted of lighting for three hours from 7:00 to 10:00 in the evening for one month, while intermittent lighting consisted of interruption of dark period by supplying 15-minute light breaks, from 11:00-11:15 pm, 11:45-12:00 nn, and 12:30-12:45 am, 1:15-1:30 am using a timer to switch the light on and off automatically for one month. Findings showed that different cultivars exhibited different characteristics in height, number of days from transplanting to flower bud formation, number of days from flower bud formation to show color, number of days from showcolor to harvesting, and flower diameter. Intermittent lighting produced slightly taller plants, which started to form flower buds after 66.9 days compared to 63.4 days with continuous lighting. Plants subjected to continuous lighting showed color earlier and resulted in earlier harvesting by 2.5 days from show-color stage. Flower diameter at full-bloom stage was wider by 1 mm among plants that were continuously lighted. Intermittent lighting was useful and effective in cut flower production. It also reduced the energy cost by 66%. When summed up, the light breaks used would total to one-hour lighting duration, compared to farmers' practice of continuous lighting system for three hours. Intermittent lighting is recommended to produce quality chrysanthemum cut flowers to lower cost of production
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