Growth and reproductive characteristics of different grades of Tulipa edulis bulb / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the growth and reproductive characteristics of different grades of Tulipa edulis bulb. Methods: T. edulis bulbs were divided into four grades based on weight, e.g. the 1st grade, m > 2.0 g; the 2nd grade, m 1.0-2.0 g; the 3rd grade, m 0.5-1.0 g, and the 4th grade, m < 0.5 g. The growth indexes, flowering and fruiting percentage, and photosynthetic characteristics were measured at vigorous growth period. And the yield, reproduction coefficient, and net yield-increasing percentage were calculated at harvest period. Results: The growth indexes increased with the increasing weight of bulbs. In comparison with the 3rd and 4th grades bulbs, the 1st and 2nd grades bulbs showed higher photosynthetic efficiency, and net yield-increasing percentage. The bulbs, weight of which were higher than 1 g, showed high flowering and fruiting percentage. Conclusion: The 1st and 2nd grades bulbs are suitable to be reproductive materials for bulbs, while the 3rd and 4th grades bulbs are more applicable as materials for producing seeds.