ISHS Acta Horticulturae 109: III International Symposium on Flower Bulbs
TOP ROT IN TULIP BULBS |
| Authors: | P.J. Muller, C.G.M. Conijn |
| Abstract:
For a number of years a partial decay of unknown nature has been found in a wide range of tulip cultivars. This rotting is seen in the largest bulbs, starts in the top of the first and/or second scale shortly after lifting, and then progresses, usually not beyond the middle of the bulb. Diseased bulbs produce normal flowering plants and healthy offspring. An unidentified bacterium was isolated in pure culture from affected material, but proved to be non-pathogenic. The present results show that top rot must be considered a physiological disorder. Its occurrence is related to a number of factors, such as bulb growth, time of harvest, rate of drying after lifting, exposure to ethylene, and the presence of the brown tunic. Most of these factors also seem to have a relationship with a glucosidic compound present in the tulip scale tissue. | |
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