Studies on Growth and Development of Bulbs in the Easter Lily (Lilium longiflorum Thunb.)

VI. Effect of the Scaling and Chilling Duration on Leaf Emergence of Scale Bulblet

Abstract

This experiment was designed to clarify the effect of the scaling and chilling duration on the leaf emergence of scale bulblet in the Easter lily cv. ‘Hinomoto’.
The ratio of the weekly leaf emergence (WLE) became higher and the appearance of maximum WLE was hastened, as the scaling duration was lengthened. There was a tendency that leaf emergence was hastened and the period was shortened, as the chilling duration was lengthened.
In general, longer scaling induced a higher total ratio of leaf emergence. The effect of chilling durations was dependent on scaling durations. In case of longer scaling, i, e., 6month-scaling, leaf emergence ratio was high, independent of chilling durations. In cases of shorter scaling, less than 4.5month-scaling, however, it was high, as the chilling duration was shortened. That is, longer chilling inhibited the leaf emergence.
These results indicate that the scale bulblet in the Easter lily might be able to sprout leaves more easily with the advance of age which was presented as the scaling duration and that lengthening of higher temperature scaling might satisfy the requirement for the high temperature accumulation which would be necessary for leaf emergence.