Germination, vegetative and flowering behavior of Balsam (Impatiens balsamina L.) in response to natural photoperiods

A lack of application of photoperiod and light intensity to manipulate the growth of current spring annuals has, in part, been due to the lack of information identifying the photoperiodic and light intensities requirements of various species. Present pot experiment was carried out at Horticulture Garden, Department of Horticulture, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, during spring 2017, which was laid out in a three replicated Complete Randomized Design (CRD). Two varieties of balsam (V1= Tom Thumb, V2 = Double Camcellia) were studied under NP1= Control (Normal day length), NP2=3 hrs (8:00 am- 11:00 am), NP3= 6 hrs (8:00 am – 2:00 pm), NP4= 9 hrs (8:00 am-5:00 pm), NP5= Natural shade. Results from the research data revealed significant (P<0.05) photoperiodic effect on the growth and flower quality of balsam. The study revealed that maximum seed germination (44.81 %), germination index (0.62 gi) plant height (13.96 cm), leaves plant-1 (37.60), days to 1st flower (52.62), flowers plant-1 (3.40), days to flower persistence (8.74), weight of single flower (0.59 g), chlorophyll content (34.1 SPAD) was recorded from variety Tom Thumb, whereas the variety Double camellia had minimum seed germination (38.51 %), germination index (0.55 gi) plant height (11.42 cm), leaves plant-1 (26.10), days to 1st flower (51.72), flowers plant-1(2.80), days to flower persistence (6.98), weight of single flower (0.52 g), chlorophyll content (31.29 SPAD) The results for natural photoperiods on vegetative and flowering behavior of Balsam are significant effect on different growth parameters. The results indicated that maximum seed germination (74.99 %), germination index (1.18 gi) plant height (17.28 cm), leaves plant-1 (58.33), days to 1st flower (64.75), flowers plant-1 (5.41), days to flower persistence (13.16), weight of single flower (1.26 g), chlorophyll content (46.79 SPAD) was recorded from NP4= 9 hrs (8:00 am-5:00 pm) as compared to seed germination (63.88%), germination index (0.66 gi) plant height (14.92 cm), leaves plant-1 (48.16), days to 1st flower (45.96), flowers plant-1 (5.00), days to flower persistence (11.16), weight of single flower (0.62 g), chlorophyll content (36.46 SPAD) was recorded from NP1= Control (Normal day length).