The Influence of Temperature and Storage Time on Growth of Basal Roots of Nonprecooled and Precooled Bulbs of Lilium longiflorum Thunb. cv. Ace1

Abstract

Abstract Nonprecooled and precooled ‘Ace’ lily bulbs were placed in the dark at 5, 9, 13, 17, and 21 °C and basal root growth determined at weekly intervals for 5 weeks. Roots originating from the basal plate were designated as primary roots; those originating from the primary roots were designated as secondary roots. The total fresh wt of secondary roots of nonprecooled and precooled bulbs increased with length of storage and increased temp. Optimum root growth occurred at 21°C. Primary roots of nonprecooled bulbs responded similarly to the secondary roots, while those of precooled bulbs had a temp optimum of 17 to 21°C. It was concluded that for commercial use, both nonprecooled and precooled bulbs should be initially grown at approx 17°C to stimulate basal root growth.