Cycle cultural et floraison de l'échalote, Allium cepa L. var aggregatum (cvs Mikor et Jermor)

Abstract

Summary: The flowering percentage and the number of flowering stems per bulb of “Mikor and” Jermor, two clones of Jersey shallot (Allium cepa L. var. aggregatum) cultivated in field, were assessed during two growing seasons, in relation with bulb storage conditions and the planting date. When “Jermor bulbs were planted in mid—october after storage at ambiant temperature or at 30°C, they exceptionally flowered. Under the same conditions, “Mikor expressed a high percentage of flowerind and the bulb bears numerous buds that flower in a random and independent way. The storage of “Mikor bulbs at 30°C, before an october planting, intensifies blooming but after planting, i.e. in december or february, it strongly reduces and finally suppresses flowering. These data during two successive years suggest that blooming is preceded by a sequence of physiological states which the bulbs must run through late planting in the field and the lack of cold after planting would be unfavourable conditions for “Mikor flowering and extended storage at 30°C reinforces this effect. © 1997, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.