Inflorescence Development and Fruit Set in Ilex cornuta Lindl. et Paxt. cv. Burfordii as Influenced by Temperature and Photoperiod1

Abstract Inflorescence development and fruit set of ‘Burford’ holly was rapid at a day/night temperature of 26°/22°C and progressively slower at 22°/18° and 18°/14°. The number of flowers to set fruit, however, was increased at lower temperatures for both long photoperiod (LD = 9 hours + 3 hours dark interruption) and short photoperiod (SD = 9 hours). At 22°/18°, SD increased fruit set over LD. No significant temperature-photoperiod interaction was observed. A greater number of vegetative shoots developed as temperature increased and mean shoot length was correlated with the number of flowers to set fruit.