Flower longevity and ethylene production in different development stages and treatments in Lilium

The cut lily flowers may be considered on the edge between sensitive and insensitive to ethylene. The effect of ethylene inhibitors did not always increase the vase life of these cut flowers and the effect of treatments is variable with cultivars. The aim of this work was to investigate the ethylene production and the flower longevity of Asiatic lily (cv. Elite and Prato) during natural senescence (attached flowers) or on cut stems (with or without storage at 4°C). The flower longevity did not change very much (only 1 day) in the different treatments. Blasting or incomplete opening of apical buds was observed only in cut inflorescences. Ethylene production was very low and slightly increased during senescence. No climacteric peak and no significant differences between attached and detached flowers were observed. Pistils produced higher levels of ethylene during the first developmental stage, when the bud was still closed, and lower level during development. The lowest value of ethylene production was observed when the flowers were fully opened.