Effect of calcium carbide fumigation on inflorescence size of Guzmania

Abstract

The flowering of Guzmania ‘Amaranth’ and Guzmania ‘Amaranth new’ was induced by calcium carbide at 0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/l for 24 h. It was found that calcium carbide only at 100 mg/l could induce 100 percent flowering in both cultivars of Guzmania whereas the control (0 mg/l) was not obtained. Flowering induction with calcium carbide of all concentrations had no adverse effect on period of flower bud formation, number of days at the last flower blooming and diameter of inflorescence at last flower blooming but had significantly different effect on number of days at the first flower blooming and length of inflorescence at last flower blooming.