Influence of spacing on development and quality of Euphorbia pulcherrjma willd. Ex Klotzsch

In two experiments the influence of spacing (plant density) on growth, development and keeping quality of Euphorbia pulcherrima was examined. Plants were grown at densities of 5,5 to 16 plants/m². Low plant density resulted in an improved appearance such as favourable width / height ratio and compact habit of plants. Number of bracts, bract area and number of cyathia decreased with increasing number of plants/m². At low density plant height is reduced, whereas highest values for plant area and leaf area were obtained and a better developed root system could be observed. Keeping quality of plants grown at lower density was better, when nutrition was adapted to plant density. For description of crop canopies plant projection area and canopy leaf area index were measured and the covering index was calculated. The values of covering index and canopy leaf area index increased during the course of experiment and at higher plant density.