ISHS Acta Horticulturae 128: II International Symposium on Artificial Light in Horticulture
LIGHT-CONTROLLED FLOWER-BUD ABSCISSION OF LILIUM 'ENCHANTMENT' IS NOT MEDIATED BY PHOTOSYNTHESIS |
| Author: | U. van Meeteren |
| Abstract:
Flower-bud abscission of Lilium 'Enchantment', which can be induced by short photoperiods or low irradiance, was not influenced by removal of up to 50% of the leaves during growth under marginal light conditions. Even in totally defoliated plants, darkness enhanced the number of abscised flower-buds as compared with exposure to light. Light effects were also found in plants treated to obtain complete chlorophyll depletion. These results indicate that light-controlled flower-bud abscission of lilies is not mediated by photosynthesis in the leaves. This conclusion is supported by the finding that bulb immersion in solutions of silver thiosulfate before planting, reduced bud abscission, although this treatment reduced net photosynthesis and enhanced dark respiration of the plants grown from these bulbs. | |
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