Standardization of photoperiod for production of chrysanthemum cv. Ravikiran under low cost polyhouse

Studies on effect of different photoperiod for production of cut flower chrysanthemum cv. Ravikiran under low cost polyhouse were undertaken during September 2003-Feb 2004. Treatment includes effect of different photoperiodic manipulation to induce and programming flowering for the production of cut flower chrysanthemum cv. Ravikiran under low cost polyhouse. Among the treatments M4 (10 hr dark and 14 hr light period) recorded the maximum plant height (77.73 cm), total number of flowers (37.58), diameter of flower (3.81 cm), stem girth at bottom (0.62 cm), leaf area (102.30 cm2), earliness to 50% flowering (137.33 days) & earliest flower initiation (124.67 days) followed by on par results with M3 (11 hr dark and 13 hr light period) in all above parameters except for earliness to 50% flowering, which was delayed (145.33 days). It is clear from the foregoing study that the growth parameters, yield and quality of flowers were better in the module M4 (10 hour dark and 14 hour 1 ight period) but module M3 (11 hour dark and 13 hour light period) is also found to be on par with module M4 in all above parameters. except with 50% flowering, which shows late this delay can be used to catch the market in off season.