ISHS Acta Horticulturae 272: Symposium on Bedding and Pot Plant Culture
SYNERGISTIC ACCELERATION OF BEGONIA SEMPERFLORENS DEVELOPMENT USING SUPPLEMENTAL IRRADIANCE AND SOIL HEATING. |
| Authors: | David F. Graper, W. Healy |
| Abstract:
Begonia semperflorens ‘Vodka’ was sown either 10 Dec. or 15 Feb into 512 plug flats. Upon seedling emergence, plants were given supplemental 24 h HPS irradiance treatments at either 13, 73, 118 or 233 μmol m-2s-1 for 5 or 10 day periods. Seedlings were grown at ambient or 27C root zone temperatures. Root zone heating increased seedling dry weight 15% at 13 μmol m-2s-1 compared to ambient temperatures. Increasing irradiance from 13 to 233 μmol m-2s-1 increased seedling dry weight 25 and 33% when seedlings were grown at ambient and 27C respectively. The influence of supplemental heating on growth rate varied depending upon stage of development and treatment duration. A ten day supplemental heating treatment which included days 10 to 15 after germination (ie. 5 to 15 or 10 to 20) resulted in a 20% increase in dry weight. Treatment for 5 days during this period was not as effective as the ten day treatment duration. | |
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