2001 Volume 70 Issue 2 Pages 207-214
A dynamic simulation model applicable to the production of cut tulips in a plant factory was developed. This model can predict the forcing days and the cut flower quality from the period of bulb chilling at 2°C and the forcing temperatures. Data for calibration were collected from the hydroponic forcing experiments in 1996 and 1997 using 'Gander', in which the period of bulb chilling at 2°C and the forcing temperatures were varied. In the model, translocation of dry matter from the mother bulb scales to newly developing component parts, i.e., shoot, floral organs, and daughter bulbs was simulated via the effects of the periods of bulb chilling and the forcing temperatures on dry weights at planting and relative growth rates of component parts, and days from planting to anthesis. Shoot fresh weight and perianth length were calculated from shoot dry and perianth dry weights, respectively. The agreement in verification between the simulated days from planting to anthesis, shoot fresh weight and perianth length and those observed in the forcing experiment was favorable.