Cockscomb (Celosia cristata L.), belongs to Amaranthaceae that is mostly grown for use in landscape, regardless there are some hybrid land racers commercially used as cut flowers too. Its flower resemblance to rooster head for which it is termed as Cockscomb [1]. In Pakistan, Cockscomb is locally termed as Kalgha and is sown during March-April and September to January as a beautiful ornamental plant and cut flowers. Due to versatile flower colors C. cristata has a great economic value as a cut flower through-out the world. Its demand as a cut flower has been on inclined because of attractive shapes and better vase life. Variant environmental conditions of Sindh (Pakistan) have made the Cockscomb cultivation difficult [1]. Date of sowing has a great fluctuation on growth and quality of Celosia as well as tuberose, vegetative and flowering behavior these annuals might be upgraded through changing seeding time [2].

More numbers of spikes per plant (7.65) had been noted when sown during April to May while maximum weight of single flower (5.09 g) per plant was obtained from March and April plantings [3]. Sowing date of 15^th January took maximum days to flower (110 days) in Cockscomb cv. Bombay. Cockscomb sown early during 1^st September to 1^st December had 94-95 day to produce flower. 1^st May and 1^st June sowing took 55 days to flower, which was thirteen days earlier than other dates, Most of annual flowering species like Zinnia, Sunflower, Marigold, Cockscomb and Cosmos set flowered at the end of November to April [4]. Further research on influence of date of planting on Cockscomb cultivars reported by Rahmann and Aksoy concluded better performance on March 20 than May 1 or April 10 [5]. Better performance and flower display was achieved (16 days) when seeds were sown on April 01 [6,7]. Cockscomb genotypes performed well when grown from 24-31 March or April 1-7 [8].

Date of sowing for Cockscomb has a prominent place in environmental distress countries like Pakistan, where climatic conditions vary greatly throughout the country further it has been reported that late planting decreased Cockscomb display by 58.2% [9]. To enhance consumer’s attraction and better sell income, flower size plays a significant contribution. Its production under unfavorable climate has been neglected for that no research in the past has been initiated to explore this natural gift, therefore, present research has been initiated to find out the most appropriate planting date on Cockscomb to commercialize its vegetative quality and flower production under the subtropical environment of Sindh, Pakistan. Present study has been planned to investigate the proper sowing date for Cockscomb for good growth, best flower quality and maximum production under environmental conditions of Tando Jam to promote this beautiful ornamental cut flower.

The experiment was conducted during spring 2015 at Horticulture Garden, Department of Horticulture, Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam. The experiment was laid out in a three replicated Completely Randomized Design (CRD). In the present research work seeds of two Cockscomb varieties (Cockscomb Amigo Red and Cockscomb Amigo Orange) were sown at different dates (S₁=5^th March, S₂=20^th March and S₃=4^th April) with the interval of 15 days in the earthen pots then seedlings at 2 to 4 leaf stage were transplanted in the separate earthen pots. Observations recorded on days to seed germination which were counted after seed sowing till its emergence, plant height (cm) was measured when plant came to flower formation stage, leaves per plant were counted visually at the time of plant maturity, days to 1^st flower were counted from seed sowing to flower emergence, flower diameter (cm) was randomly recorded with this formula: D=4/3 πr², weight of single flower (g), days to flower persistence were observed from flower opening till it remained in fresh condition on plant.

The collected data was subjected to statistical analysis using Statistix 8.1 computer software [10].

Days to seed germination

The results regarding the days taken to seed germination of Cockscomb varieties as influenced by sowing dates has been demonstrated in Table 1. The analysis showed significant (P<0.05) influence of sowing dates on the seed germination of Cockscomb; it has been found from the fallouts that the Cockscomb plant took minimum days to seed germination (3.41 days) when planted on 4^th April, However, statistically 4^th April and 20^th March results are at par (3.54 and 3.43 days) and 5^th March that resulted in maximum days to seed germination of 7.91 and 7.83 days, respectively within both varieties. The treatment interaction indicated that 4^th April of sowing x varieties resulted in minimum days to seed germination (3.41), this variation might be due to environmental conditions where temperature was high (33oC) in the month of April as compared to March, however, genetically the varietal response remained same. Present study is in accordance with Akinbode et al., who reported that the germination was prompt in seeds of Amaranthus cruentus (3.22 days) and Corchorus olitorius (4.44 days) under late sowing 25^th March while the seeds of D. regia germinated more on 10^thApril. Whereas, germination of Celosia argentea and Abelmoschus esculentus at early sowing 15^th February had no main effect [11].

Table 1: Seed germination, plant height (cm) and leaves plant^-1 of Cockscomb varieties in response to sowing dates.

Plant height (cm)

The results regarding the plant height of Cockscomb as inferences by sowing dates have been presented in Table 1. The analysis submitted significant (P<0.05) effect of sowing dates on the Cockscomb height; It has been cleared from the data that the Cockscomb Ambigo Orange plant produced supreme tallness (25.42 cm) when seeded on 4^th April, followed by Ambigo Red (23.22 cm). While 20^th March and 5^th March plantation produced minimum height between two varieties that might be due to prevailing low temperature (28oC) and some cloudy weather. The treatment interaction indicated that 4^th April sowing x variety Cockscomb Amigo Orange resulted in maximum plant height (25.42 cm), while 5^th March sowing x variety Cockscomb Amigo Red lead to in lower most tallness (9.08 cm). Plant height of Cockscomb was mainly affected by the temperature and RH presented during April to June (33-35oC and 70-75%). These results are supported by Zeb et al., who observed plant length of 47 cm in gladiolus when planted on 15 September as mid planting time [12]. Obe et al., revealed that the sowing dates is one of the methods employed to improve the sprouting %, growth and flower traits of major ornamentals [13].

Leave per plant

The results regarding the leaves per plant of Cockscomb as demonstrated by varieties and sowing dates have been presented in Table 1. The analysis suggested significant (P<0.05) effect of dates on the leave of Cockscomb varieties which explicitly depicts that Cockscomb Ambigo Red plant produced many leave per plant (25.30) when sown on 4^th April, tracked by crop planted on 20^th March and 5^th March that bring about in average leave per plant of 16.73 and 9.06, respectively. Variety Cockscomb Amigo Orange resulted in maximum number of leave (21.16), while 5^th March resulted in lowest number of leave per plant (10.68). Production of maximum leave was directly correlated with plant height which was mostly favored by temperature during development. These findings are in consistence with [12,14].

Days to 1^st flower

The results regarding the days to 1^st flower of Cockscomb as influenced by varieties and sowing dates are shown in Table 2. The analysis concluded significant (P<0.05) results of sowing dates on the days to 1^st flower of Cockscomb varieties It is apparent from the fallouts that the Cockscomb Amigo Red produced flowers within minimum time (20.38 days) as compared to the sowing date 5^th March which took maximum days to 1^st flower (60.77 days), In case of variety Cockscomb Amigo Orange the days to 1^st flower was markedly minimum (35.95 days) on 4^th April sowing. Present variation might be due to environmental changes and particularly the day temperature and Relative Humidity (33-35oC, RH=70-75%) that triggered florigen hormone to produce flowers at earliest as compared to March sowing dates. These findings are in consistence with scientists [12,14,15]. who found that plants sown above optimum temperature may produce reduced flowers with maximum time (60 days). Plants took 99 days to flower in early sowing dates 1^st and 15^th March and 1^st April. Flowering time was reduced (79- 80 days) in subsequent sowing dates i.e., from 15^th April to 15^th May. However, it increased significantly (July showing 85 days (15^th June) as confirmed by Baloch et al. [16].

Table 2: Days to 1^st flower and flower diameter (cm) of Cockscomb varieties in response to sowing dates.

Flower diameter (cm²)

The results relating to the flower diameter of Cockscomb varieties in terms of sowing dates are accessible in Table 2. The analysis was significant (P<0.05) on the effect of sowing dates on flower diameter of Cockscomb varieties. It is assumed from the data that the Cockscomb Amigo Orange produced maximum flower diameter (4.28 cm²) when the seeds were put into soil on 4^th April, monitored by seeds planted on 20 March as well as 5^th March that produced in minimum flower diameter of 1.39 and 0.44 cm², respectively. In case of Cockscomb Amigo Red having maximum flower diameter of 3.73 cm² on 4^th April date, while minimum diameter 0.03 cm² was noted on 5^th March sowing date. The treatment interaction indicated that 4^th April sowing x varieties resulted in maximum flower diameter while 5^th March sowing X varieties resulted in less flower diameter in between varieties. Increase in flower diameter is mainly due to environmental factors and genetic makeup of the variety. In addition, planting dates had a significant main effect on the seasonal average flower diameter of Cockscomb. Although pairwise comparisons revealed that the effect involved only two means, 4.28 cm² for the May planting and 3.67 cm² for the April seeding [14]. Planting from May to July might results reduced growth and immature flowers which affected on later flower formation that could be due to high temperature exposure or remaining in packs or flats too long in the spring when planted too early [17].

Weight of single flower (g)

The results for the single flower weight of Cockscomb under varieties and sowing dates have been demonstrated in Table 3. The analysis suggested significant (P<0.05) influence of sowing dates on the weight of single flower of Cockscomb varieties It is evident from the results that the Cockscomb Amigo Orange produced markedly extreme weight of single flower (32.45 g) when the seeds was sown on 4^th April, followed by crop sown on 20^th March and 5^th March that yielded an average flower weight of 18.59 and 11.17 g, respectively. This variation in results was highly due to increase in temperature during April (33-35oC) which was correlated with maximum flowering traits of varieties. In case of Cockscomb Amigo Red weight of single flower was maximum (21.59 g) than other sowing dates, 5^th March produced less weight of flower (10.45 g). The treatment interaction indicated that 4^th April sowing x varieties Cockscomb Amigo Orange resulted in maximum single flower weight (32.45 g), while 5^th March sowing x variety Cockscomb Amigo Red resulted in lowest weight of flower (10.45 g). Zeb et al. reported that 44.29 g of flower weight was obtained when sown on late April [12]. Ismail et al. observed that date of planting highly influenced the vegetative and flowering parameters of Tagetes [18]. Baloch et al. found that when Cockscomb sown early (Sept-December) flower weight (5.67 g) reduced drastically under low temperature [16]. Blanchard and Runkle found that plants sown above optimum temperature might have produced reduced flowers [15].

Table 3: Flower weight (g) and days to flower persistence of Cockscomb varieties in response to sowing dates.

Days to flower persistence

The results regarding the days to flower persistence of cockscomb as influenced by varieties and sowing dates are existing in Table 3. The analysis yielded significant (P<0.05) data on sowing dates for the days to flower persistence within Cockscomb varieties. The aforementioned is evident from the outcomes of data that the Cockscomb Amigo Orange persisted flowers for many days on the plant (8.05 days) when sown on 4^th April, followed by Amigo Red, where, the days to flower persistence was markedly maximum (5.89) under 4^th April sowing date, it is clear from the results that varietal differences is minimal due to similar genetic makeup. The treatment interaction indicated that 4^th April sowing x Amigo Orange resulted in maximum days of flower persistence (8.05), while 5^th March sowing X Amigo Red resulted in lowest number of days to flower persistence of (0.74 days) which might be due to lower temperature (28oC). Further Dole and Wilkins, 2005 found that Celosia sown in warm season thrives well in terms of vegetative and flowering response, further they reported that Cockscomb flowers picked on 06-8, 07-11 and 08-28 (58, 91, and 139 days); and Wheat Celosia on 05-22, 06-20, 07-17, and 08-26 (41, 70, 97, and 137 Days After Transplanting) produced maximum flowers with many days of persistence on the plant that might lead to the availability of this cut flower for longer period in the market [19]. On these dates Celosia produced maximum flowers of good quality. The analysis specified that 4^th April could be considered as an applicable sowing date, as it decreased the days to seed germination improved plant height, leaves plant-1, earliest flower emergence, maximum flower weight and flower persistence on the plant. Present study is in accordance with Akinbode et al., who found 6.32 days of flower persistence on Mid-March to late March sowing time. Additionally, regardless the sowing time, the variety Cockscomb Amigo Orange resulted in moderately maximum days to flower persistence than those sown by Cockscomb Amigo Red, mainly due to environmental influence and moderately genetic variation [11]. However much environmental effect was noticed for Celosia in terms of growth and flowering response.

It was concluded that the Cockscomb varieties sown on 4^th April showed maximum performance in vegetative and flower characteristics due to high temperature and RH (33oC, 70%). The variety Cockscomb Amigo Orange may be choice of cultivar for achieving superior performance on flowering traits for Tandojam location. Other sowing dates along with varieties and geographical locations might be explored for future research activities.

The author likes to acknowledge the co-author AR (MSc student) for his research work and compiling data, MB and AM for manuscript writing and data analysis and MF for formatting manuscript according to Journal style. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Further it is acknowledged that this research paper has not been submitted to any Journal.