Effect of light intensities on the flowering and growth of spiny coriander (Eryngium foetidum L.)

Abstract

An experiment was performed at the Alzamora Experiment Farm of the Mayagüez Campus, University of Puerto Rico, to evaluate the effect of light intensity on the growth and flowering of spiny coriander, Eryngium foetidum L. The study was divided in two phases: 1) the seedling phase, which lasted from seeding to the first harvest, and 2) the second phase, from the first to the second harvest. All plants were placed under cover of transparent polyethylene. Three of the treatments were covered by Saran plastic with different densities to reduce light intensity to 47, 63, and 73%. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. A significant delay in flowering was observed in plants grown at 63 and 73% shade. An increase was observed in fresh weight of leaves of plants grown at 63 and 73% shade levels vs those in full sunlight. Plants grown under shade had fewer inflorescences with lower fresh weight than plants grown under full sunlight. No significant differences were found on leof number between plants grown at different light intensities. Leaf chlorophyll content of spiny coriander increased in plants grown under low light intensities.