GROWTH-REGULATORS DELAY FOLIAR CHLOROSIS OF EASTER LILY LEAVES

Leaf yellowing of excised Easter lily leaves was significantly delayed by application of gibberellic acids greater than or equal to 250 mg.liter(-1) or benzyladenine greater than or equal to 50 mg.liter(-1). Rapid development of foliar chlorosis following cold storage was delayed significantly by applying 500 mg.liter(-1) of GA(3) or BA before storage. Poststorage treatments were less effective. Development of chlorosis was associated with rapid loss of fresh weight and was not related to the aperture of the stomates (diffusive resistance). Respiration rates of leaves treated with growth regulators were significantly lower than those of the controls.