STUDIES ON F₁ SEED PRODUCTION OF PANSIES (VIOLA X WITROCKIANA GAMS.) UNDER SHADEHOUSES IN TENERIFE (CANARY ISLANDS)

Two commercial parental lines of pansies were used to study phenological and agronomical aspects of F₁ seed production of plants growing in shadehouses at two North Tenerife locations. Pollination techniques were studied to optimize fruit setting and use of labor and pollen; flowering and fruiting rhythms and seed production at both altitudes were compared. The influence of sowing date and fertilizers were also studied. The seeds obtained were tested for quality, and methods to enhance germination rate were tried.