Analysis of the Time-related Dynamics Growth and Developmental Characteristics of Standard Chrysanthemum Varieties ‘Baekma’ and ‘Iwanohakusen’

Abstract

This study sought to analyze and compare the growth parameters of the two standard chrysanthemum varieties of ‘Baekma’ and ‘Iwanohakusen’ using the Gompertz and the expolinear growth function to obtain dynamic growth data for a crop growth model and a big data analysis. The photoperiod was processed for 16 hours for 50 days after planting and then for 11.5 hours until the end of the experiment. The plant height, leaf area, and the number of internodes showed a sigmoid growth pattern over time. The dynamics of growth and development of both cultivars are significantly described in measurement datasets for more than 98% R2 with the parameters of maximum growth or development (ymax), the relative growth or developmental rate (k), number of days to reach maximum growth or the developmental rate (tinf) of the Gompertz growth function. The total fresh weights of both cultivars increase linearly after the exponential increase. The fresh weights for both cultivars over time are significantly described in the measurement data sets by the three parameters of the maximum absolute growth rate (cm), maximum relative growth rate (rm), and days to reach the linear growth phase (tb) of the expolinear growth function (R2 > 0.98). The dynamic changes in the plant height, leaf area, and the number of internodes are well described by the parameters of the Gompertz growth function. The total fresh weight is well explained by the parameters of the expolinear growth function. The Gompertz and expolinear growth functions can be useful statistical tools for analyzing and summarizing growth rates of standard chrysanthemums over time. It is concluded that the growth functions and parameters of the dynamics of growth and development of standard cut chrysanthemums can be used as important growth indicators considering the growth time at production sites.