HORMONAL CONTROL OF FLOWER BLASTING IN TULIPS

Growth, flowering and flower blasting in precooled tulip bulbs was studied in relation to sucrose translocations.

Injecting bulbs scales with CEPA induced flower blasting.
The growth of shoots, roots and various flower parts was strongly retarded both during storage at 21°C and during forcing at 18°C. Injections of GA_4/7 and/or kinetin partially eliminated CEPA induced flower blasting.
GA_4/7 also hastened flowering.

After injecting the out er scales with ¹⁴C-sucrose, it was found that CEPA inhibited the import of ¹⁴C into the flower bud and other plant organs.
GA_4/7 treatment seemed to maintain the ¹⁴C-import to the flower bud during storage, while in water or CEPA treated bulbs small amounts of ¹⁴C were translocated.
GA_4/7 or kinetin application could not overcome the CEPA inhibition of ¹⁴C-sucrose translocation.

The influence of ethylene, gibberellins and cytokinins on carbohydrate supply of the flower bud and on flower blasting is discussed.

Symposium on Growth Regulators in Floriculture

R. Moe

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1979.91.25