Articles
STIMULATION AND SUPPRESSION OF FLOWER FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN IRIS BY CASEOUS COMPOUNDS
Ideal.
An exposure of the bulbs to 5 ppm for 8 hours at 30°C had a maximal response.
Lower concentrations, shorter exposure periods or lower temperatures during treatment gave intermediate responses.
The responsiviness of the material differs from year to year, probably due to climatical conditions during the preceding growing season.
The interaction of seasonal factors and bulb treatment influences the morphological characteristics of the end product namely the flowering plant.
However, the flower-inducing effect is unwanted for the production of plant material; only vegetative plants produce highly qualified round saleable bulbs.
Problems arise when the material is subjected to the usual temperature treatments presumably caused by endogenously formed ethylene.
Storage of bulbs in an atmosphere containing 5% CO2 reduces flower formation.
The anti-ethylene compound norbornadiene and low concentrations of O2 influence this process as well.