Effects of different shade levels (light integrals) on time to flowering of important ornamental annuals

Present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of different shade levels on flowering time on ten long day plants (LDP, sown on 1st March 2006) and six short days plants (SDP, sown on 1st September 2006). Days taken to flowering were increased significantly (P less than 0.05) when LDPs were grown under low light integrals (40%, 30% & 20% shade). However, SDPs grown under low light integrals took minimum time to flower. The benefits of using different shade levels (low light integrals) can be achieved to prolong flowering time in LDPs as they will continue their juvenile growth therein. However, SDPs can be grown under shades if an early flowering is required. A steady supply of these flowering annuals can be maintained in the market by grown them under different shades.