Corresponding Author E-mail: alisalehisardoei1987@gmail.com 392 | Pag Available online at http://www.ijabbr.com International journal of Advanced Biological and Biomedical Research Volume 2, Issue 2, 2014: 392-398 Effects of zinc sulphate and Ascorbic acid on Flowering Characteristics of Ornamental plant Gazania (Gazania rigens) cv. daybreak red stripe Ali Salehi Sardoei * , Mojgan Shahdadneghad, Monir RohanyYazdi and Timor Mohammadi Young Researchers ans Elite Club, Jiroft Branch, Islamic Azad University, Jiroft, Iran ABSTRACT: A pot experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, to study the effect of zinc sulphate (ZnSO 4 ) and Ascorbic acid (AS) foliar application application 20 and 40 ppm was compared to the control (distillated water) on flowering Gazania (Gazania rigens L. daybreak red stripe). Results were analyzed by SPSS software and Duncan test. Results showed that ZnSO 4 and AS had positive effect on the total of flowers/plant. Mean comparisons results indicated that the highest total of flowers/plant Of 20 ppm AS + 20 ppm ZnSO 4 and 40 ppm ZnSO 4 treatment with mean (94.75 and 91) and the lowest with mean (25.75) were achieved by application of control treatment. The highest number flowers 145, 160 and 175 DAP was was achieved in 40 ppm ZnSO 4 with mean (6.25, 25.75 and 27.5), the lowest number flowers was obtained in control treatment (1.75, 4.25 and 7.5) showing significant difference. Zinc sulphate levels in these experiments test better than Ascorbic acid showed better effect regarding flowering and duration of flowering period and resulted in reduction of number flowers as the air temperature was raised. Key words: Gazania, Flowering, ornamental plants, Salicylic acid, putrescine. Abbreviations: ZnSO 4 , Zinc Sulphate; AS, Ascorbic Acid, Day After Planting (DAP). INTRODUCTION Gazania rigens (syn. G. splendens), sometimes called treasure flower, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to southern Africa. It is naturalised elsewhere and is widely cultivated as an ornamental garden plant. It is a spreading, low-growing, half-hardy perennial, growing to 50 cm (20 in) tall and wide, with blue-grey foliage and brilliant yellow, daisy-like composite flowerheads throughout the summer. The well known garden plant Gazania splendens (or "rigens") originates in South Africa. The petals are usually orange, yellow or white, but sometimes bronze or pink. At the base they are often brown forming an attractive ring at the centre. The flowers close in darker weather and open again with first rays of the sun. "Daybreak", called after this surprising effect of the sunlight, is one of the most well known Gazania hybrids. 'Daybreak Red Stripe' is a really unique variation of this Gazania series, with a red stripe dissipating out over each deep yellow petal. This gives the startling effect of a