The research was carried out to investigate the effects of daylength and temperature on rooting and growth of Elatior begonia cuttings. Begonia × hiemalis 'Britt Dark' and 'Line' were selected as plant materials and the experiments Were conducted in ...
The research was carried out to investigate the effects of daylength and temperature on rooting and growth of Elatior begonia cuttings. Begonia × hiemalis 'Britt Dark' and 'Line' were selected as plant materials and the experiments Were conducted in a multi-room incubator. The cuttings were subjected to 16 h or 13/16 h daylength in combination with 18 or 20℃ until 2 weeks after cutting and then transferred to 16 h. The number of leaves, root and stem length, and fresh and dry weight of cuttings were increased at 20℃ than at 18℃. Moreover, the number of days to rooting of the cuttings were reduced. The temperature treatment was more effective for the growth of cuttings than the day length treatment. Temperature treatments had a statistically significant effect on the development and growth of roots, whereas there was no significant difference among the daylength treatments. However, continuous daylength of 16 h was more effective in improving the growth of cuttings. The cuttings were also treated separately at 18, 20, 22, or 24℃. As the temperature increased, the growth of cuttings tended to become more superior. The cuttings treated at 24℃ showed the best shoot and root growth. In conclusion, 16 h daylength and 24℃ temperature were the most effective in promoting rooting and plant growth of Elatior begonia cuttings.