Abstract
Bulbs exposed to ethylene during storage showed a high flowering percentage and earlier flowering irrespective of their sizes. Non-treated bulbs with even 9cm size showed low flowering percentage. Ethylene exposure at 10μl/l for 3 hours was sufficient to induce high flowering percentage in 8cm sized bulbs, whereas longer exposure than 12 hours was necessary in 7cm sized bulbs. Repeated ethylene treatment for 23 hours daily up to 9 times showed the same effect as a single application and was not detrimental to flowering. Ethylene did not show any effect on flowering at 0.1μl/l. Higher concentration than 0.5μl/l promoted flowering. Shorter duration of ethylene exposure was required with increasing concentration of ethylene. At 10μl/l, the duration of ethylene exposure required to induce high flowering percentage differed with the storage period of bulbs at room temperature, i.e., the longer the storage period, the shorter the duration required.
