Effects of continuous, low levels of ethylene on growth and flowering of Easter lily

Abstract

Easter lilies ( Lilium longiflorum Thunb. cultivar ‘Nellie White’) were continually exposed to 0, 0.01, 0.05 or 0.1 μl l −1 ethylene in air during growth and flowering. Shoot length was drastically reduced with 0.05 or 0.1 μl l −1 ethylene, but was increased by 0.01 μl l −1. Plants grown at 0.05 and 0.1 μl l −1 ethylene were unmarketable, while 0.01 μl l −1 treated plants were commercially acceptable. All ethylene levels caused reduction in total shoot and flower dry weights. Leaf unfolding rate was similar in all treatments, indicating that height differences were due to ethylene effects on internodal length rather than rate of leaf development. Flower numbers were reduced and buds abnormally curved on plants grown at 0.05 and 0.1 μl l −1 ethylene.