Effect of planting time on plant growth and seed yield of flowering annuals

Five week old seedlings of Coreopsis lanceolata, Gaillardia aristata, Matthiola incana, Nemesia strumosa, Verbena hybrida and Viola tricolor were transplanted on five dates i.e. 20th October, 5th November, 20th November, 5th December and 20th December at 30x30 cm. The planting time significantly affected the plant growth and seed yield. The optimum transplanting time for C. lanceolata and M. incana was 20th October and it resulted into with maximum seed yield (77.12 g/m2 and 20.25 g/m2, respectively). The highest yield of 105.62 g/m2 was obtained from 20th November planting in G. aristata. Early planting of V. tricolor and V. hybrida on 20th October resulted in vigorous plants, more number of branches, and the maximum seed yield.