The effects of light environment on flowering and plant height control in annual ornamentals such as Seeds of Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora L.) cv. Sundance, Pansy (Viola tricolour hortensis L.) cv. Baby Bingo, Snapdragon (Antirhinum majus L.) cv. Coronette, Petunia (Petunia ´ hybrida Juss.) cv. Dreams, Annual Verbena (Verbena ´ hybrida L.), Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) cv. Resina, Annual Phlox (Phlox drummondii L.) cv. Astoria Magenta, Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus L.) cv. Florence Blue, Oriental Poppy (Papaver orientale L.) cv. Burning Heart, Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) cv. Scarlet Flax, Zinnia (Zinnia elegans L.) cv. Lilliput, Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cv. Elf, French Marigold (Tagetes Patula L.) cv. Orange Gate, African Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) cv. Crush, Cockscomb (Celosia cristata L.) cv. Bombay, Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus Cav.) cv. Sonata Pink were investigated at the Agricultural Research Institute, Dera Ismail Khan, N.W.F.P. Pakistan during 2004 and 2007. Present research findings expand the duration of growing period for both LDPs and SDPs in their own responsive environment, which can also be extended by raising these cultivars at later dates. Flowering time can be extended by controlling the photoperiod environment. LDPs grown under SD environment took long time to flower. Therefore, non-inductive environment (SD) lengthened the juvenile phase. Similarly, SDPs grown under LD environment took more time to flower as non- inductive environment (LD) stretched the duration of juvenile phase. By combining the findings of experiments one and two plant scheduling technique for year-round production can be efficiently used in ornamental annuals. Year-round production of ornamental annuals can be obtained by incorporating light integral with the day length. LDPs grown under low light intensity (42 and 45 μmol.m -2 .s -1 ) or received low light integrals (40% shade) enhanced floweringinduction time. Similarly, flowering time can also be extended if SDPs grown under high light intensity (92 and 119 μmol.m -2 .s -1 ) or received high light integrals (0 and 20% shade). The duration of photoperiod-sensitive phases of the Pansy (LDP), Snapdragon (LDP), Petunia (LDP) and Cosmos (SDP) varied with genotype. Pansy, Petunia and Cosmos had 15-16 days whereas Snapdragon had 30 days long juvenile phase. However, photoperiod-sensitive phase under inductive environment and photoperiod-insensitive phase under inductive and non-inductive environments are lengthened than the juvenile phase. Use of plant growth regulators [A-Rest (30 ppm.L -1 ), Bonzi (30 ppm.L -1 ) and Cycocel (1000 ppm.L -1 )] significantly reduced plant height as compared to control plants. On the other hand, plants placed for a short duration (2 weeks) under non- inductive environment also reduced plant height. However, if taller plants are required then this duration can also be extended up to 8 weeks to obtain maximum plant height. This technique can be incorporated with the appropriate photoperiod to obtain early, mid and late flowering along with an appropriate plant height in accordance with the consumers’ choice.
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