Determination of Flowering Time and Vegetative Habit of Tagetes patula through Response Surface Techniques1

Abstract

Abstract Flowering time, dry weight, total leaf area, and vegetative height of Tagetes patula L. were predicted on the basis of day temperature, night temperature, and quantum flux density (QFD). High temperatures (30°C) decrease flowering time regardless of QFD and greatest leaf surface area was caused by high QFD. As night temperatures increased, maximum leaf area occurred at lower day temperatures than those necessary for fastest flowering time. Each response was characterized by response surface technique.