Effect of planting dates on growth, flowering and seed production of snapdragon

Abstract

Studies were carried with an objective to identify the best date of planting to get optimum growth, flowering and seed production of snapdragon. The experiment was conducted for two years under mid-hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh. Planting was done at an interval of 15 day starting from September 17 in both the years with planting dates as; September 17, October 2, October 17, November 1, November 16 and December 1. The maximum plant height (91.83 cm), plant spread (36.68 cm), number of stems per plant (6.08), stem length (82.00 cm), early flower bud formation (70.18 days) and flowering (107.35 days) with maximum duration of flowering (39.97 days), number of flowers per stem (31.70), number of pods per stem (30.87), seeds per pod (390.76), seed yield per plant (8.44 g) and 1000-seed weight (0.13 g) were recorded when planting was done on September 17. However, pod formation was earliest (182.48 days) in December 1 planting.