ISHS Acta Horticulturae 177: IV International Symposium on Flower Bulbs
THE PRODUCTION OF VIRUS-TESTED NARCISSUS IN SCOTLAND |
| Authors: | W.P. Mowat, G.R. Dixon, W. Fordyce |
| Abstract:
The scheme devised to produce virus-tested (VT) stocks is both commercial and experimental and is run by official research and development organisations in Scotland, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland (DAFS) and bulb growers represented by the Scottish Nuclear Stocks Association (Flower Bulbs) Ltd. (SNSA (F.B. Ltd). The main experimental aims of the scheme are to evaluate the benifits of Clonal selection and feedom from viruses and to assess the practicability of maintaining the health of VT stocks during field propagation. Following an initial multiplication in vector-proof guaze houses by twin-scaling, c.20 000 three-year old bulbs are issued annually for field propagation by SNSA (F.B.) Ltd. Propagation in the field commenced in 1979 under strictly controlled conditions specified by DAFS Foundation Stock Certification Scheme. These conditions include isolation and soil fumigation. Visual inspection and virus-indexing of VT stocks after up to 5 years of field propagation (Foundation Stock) indicate that the prospects for maintaining health are good. From 1985 onwards an annual output of about 15–20 tonnes of Foundation Stock bulbs will be available to members of SNSA (F.B.) Ltd. for commercial production abd will be eligible for certification at Elite grade. First results from a continuing series of agronomic evaluation trials show that the performance of bulbs is affected by the preceding guaze house enviroment evn after 2 years growth in the field. Definitive information on the effects of freedom from viruses on performance of stocks in field trial is being using bulbs fully adapted to the field enviroment. | |
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