Ethylene-Induced Flower Bud Abortion in Easter Lily is Inhibited by Silver Thiosulfate

Abstract

Flower bud abortion, or "blasting" was shown to be at least partially caused by treating plants with ethephon, a chemical that releases ethylene. In floricultural greenhouses, ethylene could accumulate to levels that could induce commercially significant levels of flower bud injury. Silver thiosulfate (STS) was shown to be a potent inhibitor of ethephon injury. STS at (1 to 2 mM) could be applied as early as the visible bud stage (approximately 5 to 6 weeks before flowering) without phytotoxic effects. Using current silver prices, the material cost for our treatment is less than 0.4 cents per plant. Based on these results, a preventative STS application could potentially reduce much of the flower bud abortion seen in commercial greenhouses.