Ethylene-Induced Flower Bud Abortion in Easter Lily is Inhibited by Silver Thiosulfate
Issue Date
1989Keywords
Agriculture -- ArizonaTurfgrasses -- Arizona
Turf management -- Arizona
Plants, ornamental -- Arizona
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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.Series/Report no.
Series P-80370080