Effects of Environment on Bud Growth of Rhubarb, With Particular Reference to Low Temperature Before Forcing

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Abstract
Experiments are described in which the response of dormant rhubarb plants to low temperature before forcing was examined. It has been shown that a short period at a freezing temperature is not an effective alternative to a longer period at a temperature just above freezing point. Plants kept at a minimum of 55° F. for 22 weeks failed to break dormancy before the experiment was terminated. Response to increasing duration of pre-cooling at 41° F. was almost linear over the middle portion of the yield range. Depending on the pre-cooling treatment, a complete gradation of crop was obtained, from nil to maximum. A reduction in yield when exposure to low temperature exceeds the optimum remains unexplained. Pre-cooling affected the colour of the etiolated petioles. 34° F. induced a paler colour than 41° F. but a short exposure to 34° F. caused a deeper colour to develop than a longer one. The response to low temperature as a dormancy-breaking agent was shown to be cumulative below a base of 49° F. This base temperature was found to be the same for three varieties tested.

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