Effects of Nutrient, Photoperiod, and Night Temperature on the Development of Guayule Seeds

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Abstract
In expts. with guayule (Parthenium argentatum) plants, those watered with nutrient solns. that contained 192 ppm. of N produced a greater % of seeds with mature embryos, than did other plants supplied with lower levels of N. Increase in N level from 48 to 192 ppm. was associated with an increase in % germination of seeds. concs. of S were varied from 65 to 260, P from 72 to 288, and K from 95 to 380 ppm. with no significant effect on seed production. Most favorable concs. of Mg and Ca were between 78 and 117, 173 and 260 ppm. respectively. Receiving 10 hrs. of natural light daily, the plants produced very few seeds and these were of low quality. They were induced to bloom, even during winter months, by supplementing a 10-hr. period of daylight with 3-4 hrs. of light from a fluorescent lamp. Relatively high night temps. (80-90[degree] F) also favored flower production during winter, but few seeds matured. Plants grown under conditions of warm days and cool nights (45-55[degree] F) produced more seeds of good quality than did others exposed to warm nights (80-90[degree] F).

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