Carbamate-induced flowering in asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) seedlings: optimization of treatment and cultivar variation in flowering responseand pollen germination

Optimal carbamate treatment conditions were studied for flower induction in seedlings of an asparagus cultivar 'Mary Washington 500 W'. Flower inducti on was most accelerated by soaking seeds in 50 mg l(-1) carbamate solution for 12 days at 25 C-degrees under the fluorescent light. Longer exposure to carbamate over a 12 day period induced a higher percentage of seedlings to flower. A higher percentage of flowering seedlings were male. Flower induction frequency among seven cultivars through carbamate treatmen t widely ranged from 13 to 67%. 'Geynlim', 'Mary Washington 500 W' and 'Wel come' exhibited a high percentage of flowering seedlings, while 'Larac' and 'Vulkan' showed low values. Only male flowers were induced in all-male cul tivars. Variation in pollen germination was found within all cultivars. 'Ge ynlim', 'Cito' and 'Mary Washington 500 W' showed high values of average po llen germination. Application of carbamate compound to induce flower produc tion can rapidly produce homogenic cultivars which include both sexes. This is necessary for genetic studies and breeding purposes.