THE TOLERANCE OF TULIP PLANT MATERIAL TO HIGH CO₂ AND LOW O₂ CONCENTRATIONS IN RELATION TO VENTILATION AND AIR CIRCULATION IN BULB STORAGE ROOMS

To prevent accumulation of ethylene and water vapour, a large ventilation is usually recommended for rooms with stored bulbs or corms.
Air circulation is also important: limited air movement between the stored material will result in local aberrations of the general environmental conditions, such as a decline in the level of O₂ and accumulation of CO₂, water vapour and sometimes ethylene.
We analysed the influence of several mixtures of N₂, O₂ and CO₂ on plant material of Apeldoorn tulips (bulbs 9 cm).

High concentrations CO₂ (3 to 5%) enhance the fresh weight decrease during storage, and reduce the yield of new bulbs after open field cultivation.
Low concentrations O₂ (until 5%) also resulted in increased fresh weight losses during storage; however, yield reduction was not observed.

The degree to which these phenomena occur is highly influenced by the position of the samples in the experimental equipment used.
This location effect can be nullified almost completely by intensification of the air circulation.

With modern technics available to measure and control CO₂, O₂, relative air humidity, and ethylene levels, it might be possible to ventilate and circulate to such an extent that, with a minimal use of energy, optimal conditions for bulb storage can be created.

IV International Symposium on Flower Bulbs

W.J. de Munk, T.L.J. Duineveld

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1986.177.102