Comprehensive Application of Different Methods of Observation Provides New Insight into Flower Bud Differentiation of Double-flowered Paeonia lactiflora ‘Dafugui’

Abstract

The analysis of herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) floral bud initiation and differentiation from autumn to early spring is important because flower formation is strictly correlated with flowering in late spring. A clear understanding of peony flower development would allow management practices to be optimized for stable annual production and supply of cut flowers. The aim of this research was to study the time-sensitive characteristics underlying flower development in peony cultivar ‘Dafugui’. Flower bud differentiation was assessed by paraffin and hand-made slices, as well as stereomicroscopy. Both methods have strengths and weaknesses. Our observations are not entirely consistent with those of previous studies. Flower bud differentiation in ‘Dafugui’, which starts from late September to mid-April of the following year, is divided into differentiation of the lower parts (separate differentiation periods for the bracts, sepals, petals, stamens, and pistillodes) and upper parts (separate differentiation periods for the petals, stamens, and pistil), and is closely related to annual changes in ambient temperature. Differentiation of lower flower buds takes place before winter dormancy, whereas that of upper parts starts early in the following spring, and finally forms a double-flowered type. The three methods used in this article can be used to study P. lactiflora flower bud differentiation and can contribute to an understanding of this process in the future.