Effects of Irrigation and Shade on Morphological and Physiological Characteristics of Transplant of Dwarf Lisianthus Cultivar  Matador'

In this experiment¡ the effects of drought stress and different levels of shade was studied on growth characteristics of transplant dwarf cultivar „Matador‟ of Lisianthus in a factorial design with two factors of irrigation and shade. After germination and in the 2-3 leaf stage of plantlet¡ treatments were carried out such as irrigation (100%¡ 75%¡ 50% of FC) and shade (0%¡ 50%¡ 70% of natural light intensity). 100%¡ 75%¡ 50% of FC irrigation equivalent 1 day after¡ 2 days after and 3 days after irrigation and 0%¡ 50%¡ 70% shades equivalent full sunlight (an average of measured radiation of 1852 µmol m-2 s-1)¡ 50% (an average of transmitted radiation of 926 µmol m-2 s-1)¡ 30% (an average of transmitted radiation of 557 µmol m-2 s-1 ) of light intensity¡ have been carried out¡ respectively. 100% of FC irrigation (1 day after irrigation) and 0% shade (natural light intensity) were considered control. According to the results the number of flowers and flowering branches decreased significantly¡ by increasing the irrigation levels; while the number of days from planting to flowering was increased. With increasing shade level compared to 0% (no shade) flower number¡ flower diameter and number of flower branch were increased. Maximum wet and dry shoot weight¡ relative chlorophyll content¡ soluble carbohydrate and photosynthetic performance were obtained with 100% of FC and 50% of shade. This treatment is recommended to produce seedlings dwarf cultivar „Matador‟ of lisianthus in nursery for urban landscaping of the current experiment conditions.