Aechmea distichantha Lem. (Bromeliaceae): postharvest durability and potential as ornamental cut flower

Cristiano Medri,Juliana Machado Da Silva,Letícia Gabriela Tartari

doi:10.1590/0034-737x202168060013

Abstract

The cut flowers segment has an important share in the Brazilian floriculture market. However, most of the species traded are exotic because of the severe lack of information about the ornamental potential of the Brazilian flora. On the other hand, a trend observed in landscaping and floriculture is the use of native species, leading to their conservation, propagation and valuation. This study aimed to analyze the potential of Aechmea distichantha Lem. (Bromeliaceae), a species native to Cerrado and Atlantic Forest, as ornamental cut flower by evaluating postharvest durability, as well as morphometric and aesthetic parameters. Floral scapes were harvested and kept in containers with tap water. Morphometric measurements, evaluation of commercially important esthetic parameters, and monitoring of postharvest durability were performed. In addition, an online questionnaire was applied to potential consumers to assess the acceptance of the species as a cut flower. The vase life of A. distichantha floral scapes was 10.1 ± 1.5 days, which in addition to size, shape, structure, colors, and originality make them commercially viable as cut flower. The species was accepted by more than 90% of the potential consumers assessed. Therefore, A. distichantha has great potential for the cut flowers market.

Highlights

The Brazilian floriculture market has increased sales from 8.3% to 15% per year between 2008 and 2013 (Sebrae, 2015)
It is a fact that, among cut flowers, there has always been a preference for the production of exotic species such as roses, carnations, lisianthus, and lilies (Sebrae, 2015), in a disregard for the potential of the vast diversity of the Brazilian flora, with 37,732 species described so far (Forzza et al, 2020)
The straight or slightly arched and stiff floral scapes of A. distichantha are highly valued for their architectural characteristics

Summary

Introduction

The Brazilian floriculture market has increased sales from 8.3% to 15% per year between 2008 and 2013 (Sebrae, 2015). It is a fact that, among cut flowers, there has always been a preference for the production of exotic species such as roses, carnations, lisianthus, and lilies (Sebrae, 2015), in a disregard for the potential of the vast diversity of the Brazilian flora, with 37,732 species described so far (Forzza et al, 2020). The flower and landscaping market tends to reduce the use of exotic species, replacing them by native species with ornamental potential, mainly aiming at the conservation and valuation of the native flora (Heiden et al, 2006). To increase the use of native species as cut flowers, studies on domestication, large-scale production, ornamental potential and postharvest durability are needed. Among the prerequisites for a plant to be considered suitable for commercialization as a cut flower, important characters are aesthetic aspects and postharvest durability (Rafdi et al, 2014)

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