무늬 베고니아 ‘Harmony’s Red Robin’의 실내 도입 시 적정 광도

Optimum Light Intensity for Indoor Introduction of Begonia rex ‘Harmony’s Red Robin’

Unique leaf shape, color and texture are the typical characteristics indicating high ornamental value. Two or more leaf color patterns variegated plants have horticulturally higher ornamental value than the typical green foliage plants. Begonia rex ‘Harmony’s Red Robin’ is rhizomatous hybrid begonia derived from an east indian plant having long petioles and rough-textured leaves patterned in glossy red. However, the color of variegation tends to be fade indoors due to the low light intensity, and the ornamental value decreased. Plants grow the best in their own appropriate light intensity. So it is essential to improve insufficient indoor light condition for maintain the ornamental values. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the optimum light intensity for the growth of variegated Begonia B. ‘Harmony’s Red Robin’ indoors. A fluorescent lamp was used as the light source, which is a general indoor light source. and the growth characteristics, variegated expression characteristics, and pigment contents under the different light intensity were analyzed based on the initial standard values before treatment. As a result, the growth was the best in 60μmolㆍm⁻²ㆍs⁻¹ light intensity. But redness and anthocyanin contents, indicating the red expression were decreased in all treatments than initial standard values. In conclusion, the optimum light intensity for the growth of Begonia rex ‘Harmony’s Red Robin’was 60μmolㆍm⁻²ㆍs⁻¹ indoors. However, further work is needed to improve red color expression in leaf-variegation of Begonia rex ‘Harmony’s Red Robin’.