ISHS Acta Horticulturae 47: II International Symposium on Flower Bulbs
CARBOHYDRATE CHANGES IN TULIP BULBS DURING STORAGE AND FORCING |
| Authors: | J.N. Davies, R.J. Kempton |
| Abstract:
The effects of two temperature treatments (9° and 18°C) on the carbohydrate content of tulip bulbs have been studied in relation to storage and growth. Although the alcohol-insoluble solids and starch contents, which were closely correlated, decreased in bulbs stored at 9°C but increased at 18°C, the rate of decline of these constituents was little influenced by temperature after planting. Cooled bulbs contained considerably more sucrose than uncooled bulbs both at the end of storage and during the first 8 weeks of growth. In contrast, while the combined fructose content of the bulbs was also markedly increased by storage at the lower temperature, this increase persisted throughout the growth period. Free fructose in both bulbs and shoots was extremely low at all times but a considerable accumulation of glucose occurred in both tissues once the shoots began to grow rapidly. | |
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