Crop Regulation Approaches to Improve Yield and Quality in Gypsophila Cultivation

Abstract: Gypsophila, known commonly as showy baby's breath, is an ornamental plant highly regarded for its elegant appearance in cut flower arrangements, bedding, and potted settings. This plant is native to regions spanning from Southern Ukraine to Northern Iran and includes both annual and perennial species that are widely cultivated worldwide. Among these, G. paniculata and G. elegans hold significant commercial value. This review examines the physiological, genetic, and cultural factors influencing flowering and crop management in Gypsophila. Favourable night temperatures and extended daylight hours are crucial for initiating and developing flowers, while plant growth regulators such as GA₃ and BA promote shoot elongation, extend the flowering period, and improve vase life. Effective nutrient management, particularly concerning nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, is vital for maximizing both yield and quality. On a genetic level, the COL and FT homologs in G. paniculata highlight how photoperiodic flowering reactions are regulated at a molecular scale. Agricultural practices like pinching can encourage the growth of lateral shoots and prolong the flowering phase, while maintaining optimal plant density improves the balance between resource competition and floral output. The use of floral preservatives, such as cobalt chloride, greatly enhances the post-harvest vase life by facilitating water uptake, reducing microbial growth, and extending the duration of the flowers in a vase. By integrating physiological, agronomic, and genetic strategies, a comprehensive approach emerges for enhancing Gypsophila production to ensure sustainability and profitability in the floriculture industry.

Keywords: Gypsophila, Flowering, Growth regulators, Post-harvest

Author: Swati, Meenakshi Basoli, Kajol Chauhan, Mansi Mishra, Srishty Kumari and Shakshita Sandhu

doi: https://doie.org/10.10346/AE.2025582812

Reference: Ahmed, R., M.J. Hussain, S. Ahmed, M. Karim, and M. Siddiky. 2017. Effect of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilizers on Yield and Yield Attributes of Marigold (Tagetes patula L.). The Agriculturists. 15(1), 101-109. Antony, T., Hoyer, W., Cherny, D., Heim, G., Jovin, T. M., and Subramaniam, V. (2003). Cellular polyamines promote the aggregation of α-synuclein. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 278(5), 3235-3240. Dongchun C, Jongsung J, Bong P.H, Hoichun L, YoungJu S. 2006. Effects of pinching time and node position on growth and flowering of Gypsophila paniculata on autumn cultivation in subalpine area. Korean Journal of Horticultural Science & Technology, 24, 492-496. Das, D. K. and M. Mandal. 2016. Advance technology of fertilizer uses for crop production. In Book: Fertilizer Technology-I Synthesis, (1st ed.), Studium Press, LLC, USA, 101-150 pp. Griffiths S, Dunford RP, Coupland G, Laurie DA (2003) The evolution of CONSTANS-like gene families in barley, rice, and Arabidopsis. Plant Physiology 131, 1855-1867. İnan, M. (2006). Studies of root yields and saponin contents of Gypsophila L. species those have different origins in Çukurova. Çukurova University, Science Institute. Jyothi, G., Girwani, A., Prashanth, P., Saida Naik, D., & Chary, S. (2023). Effect of floral preservatives in improving the vase life of Gypsophila (Gypsophila. Paniculata) cv. crystal white. The Pharma Innovation Journal, 12(6), 117-123 Kanayama Y, Sato A, Moriguchi R, Kanahama K (2007) Molecular cloning and expression analysis of CONSTANS homologs from Gypsophila paniculata. Acta Horticulturae. Kedar D.P, Panchbhai D.M, Chatse D.B. 2021. Influence of pinching on growth, flowering and yield of different flower crops. International journal of current microbiology and applied sciences 10(03): 1854-1859. Korkmaz M and Özçelik H. 2011. Economic importance of Gypsophila L., Ankyropetalum Fenzl and Saponaria L. (Caryophyllaceae) taxa of Turkey. African Journal of Biotechnology 10(47): 9533-9541. Korkmaz M (2007). Biosystematic Studies on The Annual Gypsophila L. Taxa Grown in Turkey. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Isparta. Khenizy SAM, El-Moneim AMA. 2014. Effect of natural extracts on vase life of gypsophila cut flowers. Scientific Journal of Flowers and Ornamental Plants 1(1):1-16. Moe R. 1985. Flowering physiology of gypsophila. Acta Horticulturae. 10.17660/ActaHortic.1988.218.20. Naik, Y. D., Bahuguna, R. N., Garcia-Caparros, P., Zwart, R. S., Reddy, M. S. S., Mir, R. R., Jha, U. C., Fakrudin, B., Pandey, M. K., Challabathula, D., Sharma, V. K., Reddy, U. K., Kumar, C. V. S., Mendu, V., Prasad, P. V. V., Punnuri, S. M., Varshney, R. K., & Thudi, M. (2025). Exploring the multifaceted dynamics of flowering time regulation in field crops: Insight and intervention approaches. The Plant Genome, 18(2), e70017. https://doi.org/10.1002/tpg2.70017. Patra SK, Beura S, Shasani T. Efficacy of GA3 on growth and flowering regulation of in vitro raised hybrid gerbera under shade net. Agricultural Science Digest. 2015;35(3):173-177. Quddus M A, Ara K A, Siddiky M A, Hussain M J, and Sharifuzzaman S M. 2021. Fertilizer management of Gypsophila (Gypsophila paniculata). Bangladesh Journal of Agricultural Research 46(1): 23-34. Quddus M.A, Rahman M.A, Sarker K.K, Khan F.N, & Arein M.S. (2022). Effect of plant spacing on growth, seed yield and quality of Gypsophila (Gypsophila paniculata L.). Bangladesh Journal of Agricultural Research, 47(2), 191-303. Takeda, T. (1996). Effects of sowing time, photoperiod and temperature on the bolting and flowering of Gypsophila elegans Bieb. Journal of the Japanese Society for Horticultural Science, 64(4), 875-882. Sahu T. (2022) Effect of putraescine on growth, flowering and seed yield of gypsophila and candytuft. Msc Diss. Banaras hindu university. 87 p. Singh BP, Sharma BS, Dilta, Laishram N, Gupta YC, Bhardwaj SK. 2015. Effects of fertilization on quality flower production and foliar nutrient content of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) cv. Master. Bangladesh Journal of Botany 44(1):133-137. Swati, Manjunatha G O and Hosamani R M. 2024. Regulation of flowering in flower crops: A Review. Journal of Novel Research and Innovative Development 2984-8687 Antony, T., Hoyer, W., Cherny, D., Heim, G., Jovin, T. M., and Subramaniam, V. (2003). Cellular polyamines promote the aggregation of α-synuclein. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 278(5), 3235-3240. Dongchun C, Jongsung J, Bong P.H, Hoichun L, YoungJu S. 2006. Effects of pinching time and node position on growth and flowering of Gypsophila paniculata on autumn cultivation in subalpine area. Korean Journal of Horticultural Science & Technology, 24, 492-496. Das, D. K. and M. Mandal. 2016. Advance technology of fertilizer uses for crop production. In Book: Fertilizer Technology-I Synthesis, (1st ed.), Studium Press, LLC, USA, 101-150 pp. Griffiths S, Dunford RP, Coupland G, Laurie DA (2003) The evolution of CONSTANS-like gene families in barley, rice, and Arabidopsis. Plant Physiology 131, 1855-1867. İnan, M. (2006). Studies of root yields and saponin contents of Gypsophila L. species those have different origins in Çukurova. Çukurova University, Science Institute. Jyothi, G., Girwani, A., Prashanth, P., Saida Naik, D., & Chary, S. (2023). Effect of floral preservatives in improving the vase life of Gypsophila (Gypsophila. Paniculata) cv. crystal white. The Pharma Innovation Journal, 12(6), 117-123 Kanayama Y, Sato A, Moriguchi R, Kanahama K (2007) Molecular cloning and expression analysis of CONSTANS homologs from Gypsophila paniculata. Acta Horticulturae. Kedar D.P, Panchbhai D.M, Chatse D.B. 2021. Influence of pinching on growth, flowering and yield of different flower crops. International journal of current microbiology and applied sciences 10(03): 1854-1859. Korkmaz M and Özçelik H. 2011. Economic importance of Gypsophila L., Ankyropetalum Fenzl and Saponaria L. (Caryophyllaceae) taxa of Turkey. African Journal of Biotechnology 10(47): 9533-9541. Korkmaz M (2007). Biosystematic Studies on The Annual Gypsophila L. Taxa Grown in Turkey. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Isparta. Khenizy SAM, El-Moneim AMA. 2014. Effect of natural extracts on vase life of gypsophila cut flowers. Scientific Journal of Flowers and Ornamental Plants 1(1):1-16. Moe R. 1985. Flowering physiology of gypsophila. Acta Horticulturae. 10.17660/ActaHortic.1988.218.20. Naik, Y. D., Bahuguna, R. N., Garcia-Caparros, P., Zwart, R. S., Reddy, M. S. S., Mir, R. R., Jha, U. C., Fakrudin, B., Pandey, M. K., Challabathula, D., Sharma, V. K., Reddy, U. K., Kumar, C. V. S., Mendu, V., Prasad, P. V. V., Punnuri, S. M., Varshney, R. K., & Thudi, M. (2025). Exploring the multifaceted dynamics of flowering time regulation in field crops: Insight and intervention approaches. The Plant Genome, 18(2), e70017. https://doi.org/10.1002/tpg2.70017. Patra SK, Beura S, Shasani T. Efficacy of GA3 on growth and flowering regulation of in vitro raised hybrid gerbera under shade net. Agricultural Science Digest. 2015;35(3):173-177. .

PDF