Height Control of Greenhouse-grown Pansy Using Colored Shade Nets

Pansy ( Viola × wittrockiana ) is a greenhouse crop commonly grown under black shade net; it often requires the use of chemical plant growth regulators to maintain compact habit. Nonchemical efforts alter morphology, such as height, would provide more sustainable solution than application. The objective these studies was evaluate effects different colors nets on controlling and flowering pansy. In Expt. 1, ‘Clear Yellow’, ‘Buttered Popcorn’, ‘Deep Orange’ pansy plugs were placed 30% blue or net or, control group, where with no net. 2, same three cultivars 50% black, red, pearl, aluminized Data collected width, flower number, survival, soil analysis development chlorophyll meter (SPAD) readings, light quality. reduced height leaves, but also decreased number survival compared All plants died. SPAD, an indicator quality by estimating leaf greenness, found be lower net, whereas pearl led decrease in effect flowers. Light quality, including red-to-far-red ratio, varied among treatments, intensity aluminized, (50%), red other treatments. Blue both flowering.