Mastering Nature's Clock: Optimized Light Interruption Technique Propels Early Blooming and Record Yields in Chrysanthemum

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of precision light interruption techniques in enhancing the growth and yield of Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Chandrika. Study Design: The research was conducted as a controlled block design experiment with nine treatments, including a control, each replicated thrice under polytunnel conditions. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the College of Horticulture, Dapoli, during the 2020-2021 period. Details: The cuttings used were terminal cuttings taken from 2-month-old healthy mother plants in the adult vegetative phase. 25 days old seedlings were transplanted and subjected to light interruption (12 am to 3 am) using a 120-volt LED bulb placed 2 m above the seedlings for 20 days to delay bud initiation and promote vegetative growth. Methodology: The experiment investigated the impact of a 180-minute light interruption using a 90% black shade net. Key parameters measured included plant height, leaf count, stem diameter, total leaf area, time to flowering, flowering duration, and yield. Data were collected and analyzed to assess the effectiveness of the light interruption technique. Results: The 180-minute light interruption with a 90% black shade net proved to be the optimal strategy. Plants exhibited enhanced vegetative growth, including a maximum height of 75.11 cm, leaf count of 186.13, stem diameter of 7.57 mm, and total leaf area of 2094.49 cm². This technique induced early flowering, with flowers appearing at 62.53 days after transplanting, compared to 72.73 days in the control-a 10-day advance. Flowering duration was extended to 162.32 days, and yield was significantly increased, with a maximum of 52 flower buds and flowers per plant and a flower yield of 315.20 g per plant, leading to an exceptional yield of 18.82 tons per hectare-a 144% increase over the control. While chrysanthemums are traditionally short-day plants requiring specific light-to-dark ratios to induce bud burst, this innovative approach resulted in significant improvements earlier and extended flowering, and a remarkable increase in yield due to proper vegetative growth. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that precision light interruption techniques can substantially improve chrysanthemum cultivation. This non-chemical approach offers a practical method to enhance crop performance.