Seedling Developmental Stage at Transplanting Affects Growth and Flowering of Medallion Flower and Globe Amaranth
Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: A study was conducted to determine how seedling development stage at transplanting from plug flats into small pots affected growth and flowering of two commonly grown bedding plants. Seeds of Showstar® medallion flower and ‘Las Vegas Pink’ globe amaranth were sown in 392-cell flats on five dates for each of two experimental runs before transplanting into 8.9 cm (3.5 in) cubic pots. At transplanting of both species, plant height, node count and shoot dry weight increased as days from sowing to transplanting increased and there was no visible cessation in shoot growth due to root restriction. Time to first flower from transplanting decreased linearly with both species in both runs, except with medallion flower in the second run, as time from sowing to transplanting increased. In contrast, time to flower of both species from sowing increased linearly as time from sowing to transplanting increased. However, the magnitude of the increase or decrease in time to flower differed between the two runs indicating that other factors, most likely light intensity and duration, besides node counts were affecting time to flower. Globe amaranth height and growth index and medallion flower growth index at first flower decreased as time from sowing to transplanting increased, whereas medallion flower height was not affected by time from sowing to transplanting.
Authors: G.J. Keever, J.R. Kessler, G.B. Fain, D.C. Mitchell
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2886921179