DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF PHOTOPERIOD ON DEVELOPMENT OF SOLANACEOUS WEED SPECIES
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Date
2007-04-02T13:30:11Z
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Abstract
The effect of three photoperiod treatments (10/14, 14/10 and 16/8 h of light and dark intervals) on the growth and development of Solanaceous weeds viz. apple of Peru (Nicandra physalodes), clammy ground cherry (Physalis heterophylla), eastern black nightshade (Solanum ptycanthum), horsenettle (Solanum carolinense) and smooth ground cherry (Physalis angulata) was evaluated. Species responded differentially to photoperiod but they all grew well at 16/8 h. Solanaceous species need to reach a critical stage of plant development before photoperiod becomes directive. Apple of Peru and eastern black nightshade were tallest. Apple of Peru in 16/8 h photoperiod had the most leaves. The number of days to flower was significantly reduced with 10/14 h both in apple of Peru and eastern black nightshade; while, horsenettle, smooth- and clammy ground cherry did not flower at all. Final leaf area and plant dry matter accumulation were greater in the 14/10 h photoperiod than in the 10/14 h photoperiod for all the species; no additional increase was noted amongst plants in the 16/8 h photoperiod.
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photoperiod, Eastern black nightshade, apple of peru, weeds, solanaceae