End-of-day lighting with different Red/Far-red ratios using lightemitting diodes affects plant growth of Chrysanthemum x morifolium ramat. 'Coral charm'

Controlling plant height without the use of plant growth retardants is one of the goals in future production of potted plants. Light quality with a low red to far-red ratio (R:FR) increases plant height. In this trial, the effects of light quality JR:FR ratio of 0.4, 0.7, and 2.4 (R = 600-700 nm, FR = 700-800 nm)] at the end of day were investigated on potted chrysanthemums using growth chambers. After a 9-h photoperiod, the 30-min end-of-day lighting was provided by light-emitting diodes at low irradiance by maintaining either red = 1 mu mo1.m(-2).s(-1) (R-con) or far-red = 1 mu mol.m(-1).s(-1)(FRcon). After 3 weeks of end-of-day lighting, plants given the lowest end-of-day ratios (R:FR of 0.4 or 0.7) were taller than control plants (R:FR = 2.4). For low ratios of R:FR (0.4), the actual intensities of R and FR did not affect plant height, whereas for higher ratios of R:FR (0.7 and 2.4), plant height was greater for FRcon than for R-con. Leaf area of the lateral side shoots was lower for plants treated with an R:FR of 0.4 compared with those of controls. Dry weight, stem diameter, number of internodes, and number of lateral branches were unaffected by the end-of-day ratio.