Effect of plant density on growth, flowering and yield of Statice (Limonium sinuatum).

Abstract: The effects of spacing between plants (15, 30, and 45 cm) and rows (30, 45, and 60 cm) on 30-day-old L. sinuatum seedlings were studied in Pune, Maharashtra, India. At 60 and 90 days after sowing, plant height increased, whereas plant spread decreased as the spacing between plants and rows decreased. A spacing of 45 between plants and 60 cm between rows resulted in the earliest flowering (47.43 days) and highest yield in terms of the weight of flower stalks per plant (871.36 g). Flower stalk length (82.55) and flower weight per hectare (47.27 t/ha) were highest when the spacing between plants and rows was maintained at 15 and 30 cm, respectively. In general, a plant spacing of 45 cm with a row spacing of 60 cm resulted in superior growth and flower quality, but inferior yields. On the other hand, a plant spacing of 15 cm and a row spacing of 45 cm resulted in high yields but inferior flower quality. Satisfactory flower yield and quality was obtained with a plant spacing of 30 cm and a row spacing of 45 cm.