The influence of illumination levels of daylength extension on yield of winter-grown gladioli in Queensland

Abstract

The yields of inflorescences, corms and cormlets, and inflorescence quality of winter gladioli were studied under varying illumination levels of 12 hour daylength extension ranging from 0 to 333 lux. The illumination level of the daylength extension for each plot depended on its distance from 2 tungsten halogen light sources mounted at 6 m above ground on poles spaced 8 m apart. The lamps were adjusted for wide beam distribution and aimed at points on the ground 8 m from the base of the poles. Inflorescence yield was increased by increasing the illumination level of daylength extension. The relationship between horizontal illumination level in lux ( x) and number of inflorescences ( y) was described by y=27.3−10.9 exp(−0.02 x) Ninety-seven % of maximum inflorescence yield was obtained at a daylength extension illuminance of 144 lux, while 97% of the maximum number of florets per spike and the other flower quality characteristics were obtained at a daylength extension illumination level of approximately 100 lux. Ninety-seven % of the maximum number of days to flowering was approached at a daylength extension illuminance of 45 lux. There was no clear relationship between the illumination level of daylength extension and number and weight of new corms, or the average weight of each new corm. However, the weights of cormlets per plot and per new corm were higher from plants which received no daylength extension. The commercial application of tungsten halogen lamps to provide daylength extension for winter gladioli production is discussed.