Flowering of cacao under controlled temperature conditions

The relationship between flowering and day and night temperatures in cacao has been studied over a period of nine months in controlled environment rooms, with clonal trees which were 13 months old at the start of the experiment.

All the plants started to flower at the same time, but thereafter there was a marked response to temperature. Flowering was greater at day temperatures of 80° and 86° F. (26 .7°, 30° C.) than at day temperatures of 74° F. (23–3° C.) and, at each level of day temperature, flowering was greater at a night temperature of 80° F. than at one of 74° or 86° F. The relative effects of temperature were similar on numbers of flowering cushions per plant and of flowers per cushion.

There was no apparent relationship bfetween the amount of flowering and new leaves (flushes) produced, either at the time of flowering or at any period before. Neither was there a quantitative relationship between flowering and leaf area of the plants, though, in general, the treatments that resulted in the greatest leaf areas also resulted in the greatest numbers of flowers. A possible relationship was suggested between the number of flowering cushions and the total extension growth of the branches.     

Effects of daylength and temperature on growth and yield components of three seed spices

Plants of dill, caraway and coriander were grown in phytotrons at either 18°/12°C or 24°/12°C (day/night temperatures) with 10 h or 16 h photoperiods. In all four combinations the three species reached maturity and producéd seeds. The time to flowering and harvesting was reduced by the long-day treatments, but plant weight and most of the other morphological characteristics measured, except plant height, were reduced as a result of the earlier flowering. Seed yield was highest in caraway in short-days, in dill in long-days and in coriander by the higher temperature treatment. Physiological and practical implications are discussed.     

Apple Rootstock Studies: Thirty-Five Years’ Results with Cox’s orange Pippin on Clonal Rootstocks

With the aim of obtaining information about light and temperature relationships during the early weeks of growth of young tomato plants, measurements of the weekly dry weight increments were made with plants up to six weeks old. Growth took place in natural light conditions during a number of winter periods (October to March). The daily light-time integrals (foot candle hours) were recorded throughout the investigation. In three experiments, each extending over a whole winter period, plants were grown at one-day temperature, but at three levels of night temperature, namely (a) 4° F. lower than the day, (6) equal with the day, and (c) 4° F. higher than the day. The day temperature was 6o° F. (15 ? 5° C.), 64° F. (68°C.) and 68°F. (20°C.) respectively for the three experiments. The results are summarized as follows :

1. With each day temperature, growth rates were lowest when night temperature was lower than the day.

2. Comparison of the effects of the constant temperature regimes with the high night temperature regimes showed that with the day temperature at 60° F. the growth rate was generally higher when the night temperature was high. With higher day temperatures, however, this was not the case.

3. There was little evidence that over this temperature range the temperature inducing maximum growth was related either to the light conditions or to the age of the plant.

4. The response to night temperature was small by comparison with response to that of the day.

5. The results suggest that in winter highest growth rates will be achieved if the night temperature is not lower than 64° F. and the day not lower than 68° F.

The results of an experiment designed to evaluate the separate effects of day and night temperatures showed that, over the temperature range 6o° F. to 68° F., dry weight increased with the night temperature. However, a much larger increase resulted with a comparable temperature rise during the day. Stem length was unaffected by the level of the night temperature but increased markedly with the day temperature.

The periods from pricking-out to both initiation and anthesis of the first two inflorescences were recorded for plants growing at 6o° F., 64° F. and 68° F. The temperature effect on the period to initiation was small. The inverse relationship between temperature and the period to anthesis was especially marked in low light conditions.

The value of adjusting both the day and night temperatures in accordance with the day-to-day fluctuations of the natural light was assessed by comparison with other temperature regimes having the same mean over each 24 hours. In general, flowering and fruiting was earliest when the day and night temperatures were equal. No evidence was found to justify the technique of adjusting the temperature in accordance with the natural light.     

Interaction of photoperiod and temperature in flowering-control of Gypsophila paniculata L

Long day promotes flowering of Gysophila paniculata L cultivar ‘Bristol Fairy’. Repeated treatments with GA₃ or GA_{4 + 7} in short days did not promote flowering. The long photoperiod is effective only at relatively high temperatures. At night temperatures below 12°C, the plants remain vegetative even in long days. Efficient artificial lighting is from incandescent lamps at 60–100 lux. Fluorescent lighting (Cool-White) is not effective. Lighting of 4 hours as a night-break or at the end of the night were equally effective, but 4 hours lighting as a day-extension was less effective. Whole-night lighting promoted flowering more than any of the 4-hour lighting regimes. Cyclic lighting of one third light in each cycle promoted flowering to the same extent as continuous lighting. Light intensity during the day has a decisive effect on flower production.     

Environmental factors affecting flowering of rice flower (Ozothamnus diosmifolius,Vent.)

Rice flower (Ozothamnus diosmifolius, Vent.), native to east Australia, is a spring flowering perennial shrub. It is a new cut flower plant, recently introduced into cultivation in Australia and in Israel. Its response to environmental conditions, which affect growth and flowering, are not yet known. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of growth temperature, photoperiod and total solar energy on flowering. Experiments were conducted with plants of the cv. Cook’s Snow White. Plants were grown in three cycles under controlled conditions in the phytotron, at four day/night temperature regimes: 17/9, 20/12, 23/15 and 26/18°C. Two photoperiods — short day (SD) of 10 h natural day light and long day (LD) of 10 h natural light plus 10 h incandescent light — were employed. High temperatures enhanced vegetative growth but blocked flowering under both LD and SD. Under medium–moderate temperatures plants were absolute LD plants and did not flower under SD conditions. Under lower temperatures plants flowered under both LD and SD, but SD delayed flowering. High total solar radiation under LD did not affect flowering time but greatly promoted the number of flowering stems.     

Effects of different diurnal temperature combinations on fruit set of sweet pepper

Trials were carried out on sweet pepper, Capricum annuum L. cultivar ‘Ma'or’ under controlled temperature conditions and natural light. In the first trial, we examined night temperatures of 15, 18, 21 and 24°C (± 1) in combination with a day temperature of 24°C, and in the second trial day temperatures of 22, 25 and 28°C (12 hours) and divided day temperatures of 28-32-28°C (4+4+4 hours) in combination with a night temperature of 18°C. The highest fruit-set was obtained at the lowest night temperature; the highest night temperature caused considerable blossom drop. The highest tested day temperature did not cause increased blossom drop.     

Effect of day and night temperatures during long photoperiods on the vegetative growth and flowering of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat

The influence of day and night temperatures in the range of 10–17°C on the vegetative growth under long days of 17 year-round cultivars of chrysanthemum was studied. The after-effect of the temperature regime on the time of flowering at 17°C under short days was also recorded.A decrease of the day or night temperature reduced growth, but the effect of the day temperature was much stronger than that of the night temperature. The temperature during the vegetative period had hardly any effect on the time of flowering at 17°C.The consequences for production and breeding are discussed.     

The effect of day and night temperatures on the growth,development and yield of glasshouse cucumbers

The responses of January-sown cucumber cvs Farbio and Sandra to day and night temperature during the early post-planting stage (late February to mid-April) were examined in a glasshouse experiment. Three day temperatures (15°, 20° and 25°C) were combined factorially with three night temperatures (10°, 15° and 20°C). Comparisons were also made between two temperature regimes (21°C day: 19°C night and 24°C day: 17°C night) applied during the pre-planting stage (late January to late February) and between two mainstem cropping methods (restriction or retention of mainstem fruits). In the pre-planting stage the 24°C day: 17°C night temperature combination produced plants which were taller, heavier and leafier than those grown at 21°C day: 19°C night. During the first 12 weeks of harvesting the larger plants produced significantly more fruit and higher gross monetary returns than did their smaller counterparts. The difference then diminished and after 20 weeks of harvesting plants from the two pre-planting temperature treatments had produced similar weights of marketable fruit of equivalent value. In the early post-planting period increases in total leaf area and stem length were closely correlated with 24-h mean temperature. Earliness (first harvest) and total weight of fruit after four weeks of harvesting were also linearly related to mean post-planting temperature. Raising the 24-h mean air temperature (within the range 15.2° to 22.6°C) by 1°C during the early post-planting stage increased early (4 week) yield by 0.82 kg m^-2 and total (20 week) yield by 1.17 kg m^-2. There was no effect of day/night temperature amplitude. After 20 weeks of harvest, gross monetary returns and profitability were generally highest when mean temperature in the early post-planting period was high and fell progressively with reduced mean temperature. Restricting stem fruits to oné per leaf node produced no significant difference in either the yield or quality of fruit from plants of any of the temperature treatments. The results are discussed from physiological and practical viewpoints and a cost-benefit comparison of temperature treatments is presented.     

Environmental and cultural effects on vegetative growth and flowering of selected “bedding” ornamentals. I. Night temperature

Night temperatures warmer than those normally used in commercial production systems promoted vegetative growth in Tagetes patula and Matthiola incana seedlings. In the short (8 h) daylength regime employed, and with a day temperature of 16°C, cool nights (8°C) had a detrimental effect, especially when imposed for 6 weeks from pricking-out rather than later. Night temperatures between 8°C and 16°C did not substitute for the long-day requirement for flowering in Matthiola after 11 weeks' growth, and there was no advantage with respect to vegetative growth in maintaining night temperatures above 12°C. Warmer nights from pricking-out promoted flowering in Tagetes but if applied later (during weeks 7–11) the positive effects were largely on vegetative growth. The implications of these findings for commercial horticulture are discussed.     

Effects of far-red light/temperature DIF and far-red light/temperature pulse combinations on height of lily hybrids

Summary

Potted bulbs of ‘Nellie White’, ‘Sunray’ and ‘Stargazer’ representing three lily hybrids [Easter (Lilium longiflorum Thunb.), Asiatic and Oriental, respectively], were forced in a glass greenhouse under three lighting regimes namely, 8.h photoperiod (8 PP) by using blackout between 1600 hours and 0800 hours to eliminate twilight; 8 PP extended with 1.h of low intensity far-red radiation (9 PP) at the beginning of the dark period; or ambient. All three lighting regimes were in a greenhouse with either a +5°C or a -5°c DIF (= T_day ±T night ) regime, while maintaining the same 24.h temperature. In a second experiment, two cultivars of each of the three lily hybrids were also grown under the same three lighting regimes with a constant day/night temperature but with either a 15°cor 25°c pulse for 3.h from 1500–1800.hours to coincide with the far-red supplementation for 9 PP. Both experiments were done during the winter and repeated the following year. Within each DIF treatment, plants which received light containing far-red at the end and start of the day (ambient) or beginning of night (9 PP) were taller than those under short day (8 PP). Plants grown under either 8 PP or ambient were taller under +DIF than under -DIF, except when 8 PP was extended with 1.h of far-red, in which case plant height was the same for either DIF. ‘Nellie White’ reacted the strongest to far-red as well as to DIF followed by ‘Sunray’ and then ‘Stargazer’. For ‘Nellie White’, the stem dry weight was increased by far-red radiation at the beginning of the dark period compared with short day or ambient, while the opposite was found for the leaf and bulb dry weights. However, total dry weight of plant was not affected by either DIF or lighting treatment. In the second experiment, plant height was not significantly affected by an end of day temperature pulse of -5°c for either the 9 PP or ambient regimes compared with a +5°c pulse.     

Effect of day and night temperatures during short photoperiods on growth and flowering of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat

The effect of day and night temperatures of 10, 14 and 18°C on growth and flowering under short days was studied with six cultivais of chrysanthemum. A high day temperature resulted in earlier flowering and taller stems, but did not influence flower number and final total fresh weight, and only slightly influenced the distribution of fresh matter over stem, leaves and flowers. A high night temperature resulted in earlier flowering, more flowers and reduced stem and leaf weight. It did not affect leaf number and it influenced height and total fresh weight only slightly. Except for height, the day temperature acted independently from the night temperature. The cultivars responded similarly, except for two cultivars which generally did not flower at 10/10,10/14 and 14/10°C D/N. One cul-tivar produced more flowers at 14 than at 18°C.     

Floral induction in tropical fruit trees: Effects of temperature and water supply

Summary

Floral induction in tropical trees generally follows a check in vegetative growth. However, it is not easy to identify the environmental factors involved in flowering, which normally occurs during the dry season when temperatures are also often lower. The separate and combined effects of temperature and water supply on floral induction were investigated in ‘Hass’ avocado (Persea americana), ‘Lisbon’ lemon (Citrus limon). ‘Wai Chee’ litchi (Litchi chinensis) and ‘Sensation’ mango (Mangifera indica). Low temperatures (15°/10°C or 15°/10°C and 20°/15°C compared with 30°/25°C and 25°/20°C) generally decreased vegetative growth and induced flowering in well-watered avocado, litchi and mango. A pre-dawn leaf water potential (ψ_L) of ?1.7 to ?3.5 MPa compared with ?0.4 to ?0.7 MPa in control avocado and litchi, and a pre-dawn relative water content (R.W.C.) of 90-93% compared with 97% or above in control mango plants also reduced or eliminated vegetative growth, but did not induce flowering. Low temperatures (15°/10°C compared with 20°/5°C, 25°/20°C or 30°/25°C) and water stress (pre-dawn ψ_L of ?2.0 to ?3.5 MPa compared with ?0.7 to ?0.8 MPa in controls) reduced or eliminated vegetative growth in lemon. In contrast to the response in avocado, litchi and mango, flowering in lemon was very weak in the absence of water stress at 15°/10°C or outdoors in Brisbane in subtropical Australia (Lat. 28°S), and was greatest after a period of water stress. The number of flowers increased with the severity and duration of water stress (two, four or eight weeks) and was generally greater after constant rather than with cyclic water stress. In lemon and litchi, net photosynthesis declined with increasing water stress reaching zero with a midday ψ_L of ?3.5 to ?4.0 MPa. This decline in carbon assimilation appeared to be almost entirely due to stomatal closure. Despite the reduction in midday CO₂ assimilation, starch concentration increased during water stress, especially in the branches, trunk and roots of lemon. Leaf starch was uniformly low. The number of flowers per tree in lemon was strongly correlated with starch in the branches (r²=77%, P<0.01) and roots (r²=74%, P<0.001). In litchi, starch was lower than in lemon roots and was not related to flowering.

In separate experiments to test the interaction between temperature and water supply, low day/night temperatures (23°/18° and 18°/15°C compared with 29°/25°C) reduced vegetative growth and induced flowering in avocado, litchi and mango. None of these species flowered at 29°/25°C or as a result of water stress (ψ_L of ?1.5 MPa compared with ?0.3 MPa for avocado and ?2.0 MPa compared with ?0.5 MPa for litchi, and R.W.C, of 90-93% compared with 95-96% in mango). In contrast, in lemon, flowering was very weak (<10 flowers per tree) in the absence of water stress (pre-dawn ψ_L of ?2.0 MPa compared with ?0.5 MPa) and was only heavy (>35 flowers per tree) after stressed trees were rewatered. There were slightly more flowers at 18°/15°C than at 23°/18° and 29°/25°C in control plants, but no effect of temperature in stressed plants. Starch concentration in the roots of avocado, lemon, litchi and mango was generally higher at 18°/15°C and 23°/18°C than at 29°/25°C. Water stress increased the starch concentration in the roots of lemon and litchi and decreased it in avocado. There was no effect in mango. There was a weak relation (r²=57%, P<0.05) between the number of flowers per tree in lemon and the concentration of starch in the roots. In contrast, there was no significant relationship between flowering and starch levels under the various temperature and water regimes in the other species. In another experiment, only vegetative growth in litchi and mango occurred at 30°/25°C and only flowering at 15°/10°C. Six weeks of water stress (pre-dawn ψ_L of ?2.5 MPa compared with ?1.0 MPa or higher in litchi, and R.W.C, of 90-93% compared with 95% or higher in mango) in a heated glasshouse (30°C days/20°C night minimum) before these temperature treatments did not induce flowering.

Temperatures below 25°C for avocado and below 20°C for litchi and mango are essential for flowering and cannot be replaced by water stress. The control of flowering in lemon over the range of day temperatures from 18°C to 30°C differed from that of the other species in being mainly determined by water stress. Flowering was generally weak in well-watered plants even with days at 18°C. Starch did not appear to control flowering.     

Effects of temperature and plant growth regulators on anthocyanin synthesis and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity in chicory (Cichorium intybus L.)

Summary

This study addresses the effects of air temperature and plant growth regulators on anthocyanin synthesis, sugar content and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity in chicory (Cichorium intybus L.). Anthocyanin in chicory was synthesised at the highest level under 15°/10°C (day/night) temperatures, followed by 20°/15°C, and 25°/20°C; while synthesis was inhibited > 90% at 30°/25°C, resulting in an almost green colour. Sugar contents paralleled anthocyanin development under the same temperatures. The plant growth regulators, abscisic acid (ABA), ethephon and uniconazole all stimulated anthocyanin synthesis, with uniconazole treatment showing the greatest effect. Gibberellic acid (GA₃) inhibited anthocyanin development, while GA₃ in combination with uniconazole alleviated this inhibition.

PAL activity was higher at 15°/10°C or 20°/15°C (day/night) temperatures when plants were treated with ABA, ethephon or GA₃, than at 25°/20°C and 30°/25°C (day/night) temperatures. These results suggest that, under lower temperatures, plant growth regulators may play an important role in anthocyanin synthesis and PAL activity in chicory.     

The effect of low temperature on yield and renewal cane production in relation to carbohydrate levels in roses

Rosa hybrida, cultivars ‘Samantha’ and ‘Cara Mia’, grafted on R. manetti, were subjected to 3 periods of 0° C night temperature during the 1978–1979 winter season, while the usual day temperatures were maintained. Significant increases in cane renewal were obtained after either a 23 December 1978 to 8 January 1979 or a 22 February 1979 to 23 March 1979 low-temperature treatment, but not after a 30 September 1978 to 30 October 1978 treatment. In the former 2 treatments, total non-structural carbohydrates were found to exceed 20% in leaves and 9% in stems. Plants in the October cold-night treatment and in the control treatment had lower carbohydrate levels. The cold night temperature treatments seriously upset timing of rose production for holidays, although more flowers were actually produced after the winter and late winter treatments than by the control plants. Possibly a shorter low temperature treatment could achieve the same effect with less disruption of the peak flowering-periods.     

Temperature and daylength influences on the growth and germination of sweet basil and oregano

Oregano and sweet basil were grown in phytotron cabinets at 18/12°, 24/12° and 30/12°C (day/night) in either 10-or 16-h photoperiods. Only temperature had a positive influence on plant height in both species. The fresh yield was significantly influenced by temperature and daylength in all the three harvests examined for both species. The correlation between these results and field behaviour in different regions is discussed. The optimum temperature for the germination of oregano was a day/night regime of 24/19°C; sweet basil was less sensitive and germinated well at temperature regimes between 18/13° and 30/25°C.     

Temperature effects on male fertility and flower and fruit development in Capsicum annuum L.

Temperature conditions strongly influenced the development of flowers and fruits of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants. Low temperatures (LTR; 18°C day/15°C night) had much more effect on flowers and fruits than intermediate (ITR; 23°C day/18°C night) or high (HTR; 28°C day/23°C night) temperatures. LTR caused the formation of abnormal petals, stamens and gynoecium in the flowers. Stamens produced were deformed, in some cases partly carpel-like, produced abnormal non-viable pollen, and were thus functionally male-sterile. In the gynoecium, the ovary size of LTR-grown flowers was larger than that of ITR and HTR flowers, but the style elongation was inhibited. Fruits produced under HTR were larger than ITR and were seeded under both temperature regimes. Under LTR, small seedless fruits were produced, but normal seeded fruits were formed if flowers were pollinated with pollen from ITR- or HTR-grown flowers.     

Characterisation of the thermodormancy response in the everbearing strawberry ‘Everest’.

Summary

Temperature regimes that induce and ameliorate cropping troughs (“thermodormancy”) were evaluated over two seasons for the everbearing strawberry ‘Everest’. When plants were exposed to 26°C for 5, 10, 20 or 30 d in July, heat-induced troughs in cropping were observed in August. An important discovery was that cool (13°C) night temperatures ameliorated the severity of thermodormancy. In this study, thermodormancy appeared to be due principally to flower abortion post-anthesis, as large numbers of flowers emerged in mid-July, during the high temperature treatments, but went on to produce low fruit numbers in mid-August. Flower initiation itself (monitored by crown dissection) was not reduced by high temperatures. The observation that night-time temperature is critical for thermodormancy has significance for commercial production, in which protected cropping tends to increase average temperatures throughout the season, and venting tends to focus on day-time temperatures.     

Response of the chrysanthemum to soil heating

Chrysanthemum plants were exposed to 16°C day-temperature, 11°C night-temperature, 13°C soil-temperature, to be indicated as 16/11/13°C, or to 16/11/25°C, 20/16/18°C, or 20/16/25°C, first long day, then short day, (long day = 12-h light period with 3-h night break; short day = 12-h light period) from planting to harvest in controlled environments to study the effects of soil heating on growth and flowering. There were significant, but not substantial, effects of soil heating on leaf area, percent soluble carbohydrate, flower bud diameter, days to visible bud and some other parameters. Two winter cultivars responded similarly, while 2 summer cultivars differed in flowering-response to soil heating. An experiment was also conducted using 16/11/25°C day/night/soil temperatures during long days, short days or throughout the complete growth cycle, with 16/11/13°C day/night/soil temperatures at other times. Soil heating during long days resulted in the highest quality flowers. Soil heating during short days or throughout the growth period resulted in most rapid flowering but decreased flower quality.     

Temperature effects on corm dormancy and growth of Zephyra elegans D.Don

Experiments were performed with the Chilean geophyte Zephyra elegans, a potential cut flower, to evaluate the effect of corm weight and storage temperature on corm dormancy, and to determine the effect of day and night growing temperatures on its growth and flowering. Z. elegans has a deciduous and synanthous growth habit and the corm is replaced annually. Dormant corms were stored at different constant temperatures or temperature combinations from 20 to 40 °C. Corms released from their dormancy were grown at 15/10, 20/15, or 25/20 °C day/night temperatures. Corms of various weights were planted at the same date after being stored dry at 25 °C for 22 weeks. They all emerged 19–38 days after planting, showing that dormancy release was not affected by corm weight. A 20-week corm storage treatment at a constant 25 °C resulted in the most rapid corm sprouting. Sprouting percentage was reduced at higher or lower storage temperatures. Temperature also affected plant growth. When plants were grown at 15/10 or 20/15 °C they emerged and flowered more rapidly than when they were grown at 25/20 °C. The latter growing temperature also resulted in poor flower quality.     

Effect of temperature on growth and flowering of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) cultivars

Summary

Moderate day/night temperatures (20/15° v. 15/10°C) increased vegetative growth and reduced flowering in the seven litchi cvs Tai So, Bengal, Souey Tung, Kwai May Pink, Kwai May Red, Salathiel and Wai Chee. At higher temperatures (25/20° and 30/25°C), vegetative growth was promoted further and flowering eliminated. Temperature also influenced the type of inflorescence formed. More leaves were formed on the panicles of trees growing at 20/15° than at 15/10°C. All terminal shoots on all cultivars produced panicles at 15/10°C. The relative order for the amount of flowering at 20/15°C was: ‘Wai Chee’>‘Salathiel’>‘Kwai May Pink’>‘Tai So’>‘Bengal’>‘Souey Tung’>‘Kwai May Red’. Cultivars which were vigorous at high temperatures produced fewer panicles at 20/15°C and fewer leafless panicles at 15/10°C. Only small differences were observed in the leaf water potential and the nutrient status of the shoots at different temperatures. Vigour and flowering of the cultivars in the glasshouse generally reflected field performance in subtropical Australia (Lat. 27°S). Low vigour could be useful for selecting litchi cultivars for good fruiting in environments with warm autumns and winters.