EFFECT OF 1-METHYLCYCLOPROPENE ON VASE LIFE OF NEW CUT FOLIAGE SPECIES: FIRST EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

Abstract

Cut foliage is always required in the market, as they represent a fundamental element of floral arrangements. This study considered the usefulness of preservative solutions combined with 1-MCP (1-methylcyclopropene) with the aim to increase the quality of locally grown cut foliage species. This experiment used different species of ornamental foliage: Cornus alba 'Elegantissima', Cotinus coggygria 'Royal purple', Photinia x fraserii 'Red Robin', Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo', Phytolacca americana, Symphoricarpos racemosus 'White pearl', Callicarpa bodinieri 'Profusion', Bergenia crassifolia, Hosta hybr. 'Fragrant Gold', Hosta hybr. 'Blue Blush' and Aster novae-angliae. For each foliage species, four different preserving treatments were assessed: (1) 25 mg L -1 AgNO 3 + 50 mg L -1 Al 2 (SO 4 ) 3 + 25 g L -1 sucrose; (2) 25 mg L -1 AgNO 3 + 50 mg L -1 Al 2 (SO 4 ) 3 + 25 g L -1 sucrose + 1-MCP; (3) Deionized water, and (4) Deionized water + 1-MCP. The results showed the usefulness of employing a preservative solution based on 25 mg L -1 AgNO 3 + 50 mg L -1 Al 2 (SO 4 ) 3 + 25 g L -1 sucrose for all the new ornamental foliages, except the cut leaf species. The use of 1-MCP, sometimes had benefits in maintaining a positive influence on fresh weight and consequently the turgidity of the foliage, but its benefits are limited. Interesting was the slowing down of the senescence of fruits of Symphoricarpos. racemosus 'White Pearl' and consequently increased the longevity of the foliage.