Priming and post-production of Tagetes and Campanula species

Scope and method of study. This study examined Tagetes erecta seedling field emergence and methods to improve stand establishment. Cultivars were monitored daily for seedling emergence based on different sowing dates and, in one year, different priming methods. Also examined was Tagetes erecta cultivar selection and production methods that would enable commercial production of lutein pigment. Cultivars were subjected to various stand establishment methods, nitrogen application, and harvesting methods. In addition, methods to improve postharvest quality of Campanula medium ‘Champion’ cut flower stems were examined. Experiments were 2°C storage duration, pretreatments combined with sucrose pulses, floral foam with sucrose solution, and light conditions in the postharvest area. Data were subjected to a general linear model procedure, trend analysis, Duncan's multiple range test, and an interaction least squares difference, where applicable.; Findings and conclusions. For Tagetes erecta seedling field emergence, cultivar differences were evident in measured emergence parameters and flower harvest data for each year examined but results were inconsistent from year to year. Early sowing delayed days to first emergence and mean emergence rate. Wet priming was superior to solid matrix priming and unprimed seed for mean emergence rate, emergence uniformity, and total emergence percentage. For commercial Tagetes erecta production, ‘E-1236’ was the top producer for flower number and mass of fresh flower, dried flower, dried petal, and pigment. Transplanted plants yielded higher amounts for all data parameters compared to direct-seeded plants for three years. Nitrogen application increased flower diameter but did not increase pigment yield. Hand-harvesting flowers greatly increased yields compared with hedge-trimming. Campanula medium cut stems responded best to wet storage at 2°C for one or two weeks, 38°C pretreatment combined with 24 h 5.0% sucrose pulse, no-foam with either continuous 1.0% or 2.0% sucrose solution in the vase, and high light conditions in the postharvest area.