Spectral filters and temperature effects on the growth and development of chrysanthemums under low light integral

The influence of altered light quality on the growth and development of chrysanthemum (cvs. Snowdon and Bright Golden Ann), was investigated in three different glasshouse temperatures i.e. 15, 20 or 24 degrees C under low light levels. Five different colour filters i.e. blue and red absorbing (088), Blue absorbing (101), two partially blue absorbing (109 and 110) and Red absorbing (117) were tested, with clear polythene as a control. As in high light conditions, filters as well as temperature under low light levels significantly affected different growth parameters. Filters and temperatures significantly affected plant height and internode length, indicating that in chrysanthemum these were regulated by the action of phytochrome as well as a blue acting photoreceptor (cryptochrome). Time to flowering was affected by a combined action of phytochrome and cryptochrome since filters with blue transmission and high phytochrome photoequilibrium resulted in early flowering. The data were subjected to multiple regression and simple models were constructed to predict the influence of spectral quality on plant height, internode length and time to flowering in chrysanthemum. The models were then applied to simulate the potential benefits spectral filters used for green house cladding and regulation of plant growth under them.