Effect of cold storage on sensitivity of cut lily to ethylene

Abstract

SummaryThe effects of exogenous ethylene on the flower quality and the influence of cold storage on the ethylene sensitivity of cut Asiatic hybrid lilies ‘Brussels’ were investigated. Treatment of freshly-harvested cut lilies with 4 × 10–3 mol l–1 ethephon increased the percentage of flower abscission and bud abortion, but reduced flowering percentage and flower diameter. Pretreatment with 2 × 10–3 mol l–1 STS prior to ethephon exposure completely reversed the effect of 4 × 10–3 mol l–1 ethephon on flower abscission percentage, bud abortion percentage, flowering percentage, floral diameter, vase life and floral longevity. Data thus indicated that freshly-harvested cut ‘Brussels’ lilies were sensitive to ethylene. In comparison, application of 4 × 10–3 mol l–1 ethephon to cold-stored cut lilies did not induce flower abscission or bud abortion. Nor did this treatment influence flowering percentage, flower diameter and floral longevity. Pretreating cold-stored stems with 2 × 10–3 mol l–1 STS before ethephon application had the same effect as ethephon exposure alone on flower abscission percentage, bud abortion percentage, flowering percentage, floral diameter and floral longevity. These results demonstrated that ethylene sensitivity of cut ‘Brussels’ lilies decreased following cold storage. However, ethephon application hastened cold-stored cut ‘Brussels’ lilies to open 2.2 d earlier and vase life was shortened by about 1.8 d.