Abstract
Cut lily (Lilium L.) flowers may be considered as flowers with low sensitivity to ethylene. Ethylene inhibitors did not always increase their vase life, and the effect of other treatments varied with cultivar. The aim of this work was to investigate the ethylene production and the flower longevity of Asiatic lilies (Lilium L. hybrid 'Elite' and 'Prato') during natural senescence (intact flowers) and after harvest (with or without storage at 4°C). Flower longevity was significantly reduced by one or two days following detachment and cold storage, respectively. Blasting or incomplete opening of apical buds was observed only in cut inflorescences. The endogenous ethylene production of flowers was very low and it increased during senescence. Following flower detachment, neither a climacteric peak nor a higher ethylene evolution, were observed. Pistils produced higher levels of ethylene during the initial development stage, when the bud was still closed, and lower levels during advanced stages of development. Our results suggest that, although known to have low sensitivity to ethylene, Lilium flowers and their individual flower organs, mainly the pistils, produce ethylene. The hormone mediates normal flower development and senescence processes, but it may not play a primary role.
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