Influence of light quality and photoperiod on flowering of Cyclamen persicum Mill. cv. 'Dixie White'

The effect of light quality (spectral quality) and photoperiod (day length) were studied on flowering of Cyclamen persicum cv. 'Dixie White'. Light generated from light emitting diodes (LED) i.e. monochromatic blue (10 or 12 h per day), monochromatic red (10 or 12 h per day), blue plus red (10 or 12 h per day) and fluorescent lights were used in these studies. It was found that blue plus red LEDs improved flower induction in cyclamen, the number flower buds and open flowers being highest in the plants grown under blue plus red LED ( 10 h per day). Blue and red LEDs alone reduced the flowering response. Peduncle length ( flower stalk length) and blooming period of flowers were also influenced by light qualities and photoperiod treatments. Peduncle length was 23.8 cm on plants grown under red LED (12 h per day) treatment but 14 cm on plants grown under fluorescent light. Blooming period of flowers grown under fluorescent light was 20 d, whereas it was 40 d with the plants grown under red LEDs (10 h per day). The results indicate that flowering and subsequent growth of cyclamen can be controlled by manipulating light quality and lighting period.