MODELLING GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF PANSY CV. UNIVERSAL VIOLET IN RESPONSE TO PHOTO-THERMAL ENVIRONMENT: APPLICATION FOR DECISION SUPPORT AND SCHEDULING

This paper reviews models of the effects of photothermal environment on the growth and development of pansy.
The models examined predict effects of environment on time to flowering, plant dry weight, branching, plant height, leaf appearance and flower size.

The model of the effects of photothermal environment on time to flowering was used to develop a sowing date schedule for pansy.
It was also shown how the model could be applied indecision support to manipulate time to flowering, on-line by growers.

Simulations showed that quality of pansy were greatest when plants were grown at cool temperatures (<14°C). Increasing temperatures led to reduced quality, in terms of smaller flower size, reduced branching and increased plant height, and may prolong time to flowering.

The application of the models for grower decision support are discussed.

International Symposium on Greenhouse Crop Models

S.R. Adams, S. Pearson, P. Hadley

Temperature, Light integral, Photoperiod, Flowering, Plant weight, Leafnumber, Branch number, Height, Flower size, Viola x wittrockiana

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1996.417.2