Effects of pre- and postharvest calcium applications on the vase life of cut gerberas

Abstract

SummaryCut scapes of the four gerbera cvs Campitano, Dino, Sangria and Testarossa were preharvest sprayed and postharvest dipped or injected with 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% CaCl2. Vase life and bending incidence were determined during storage at 258C. Scape calcium content was determined at the end of vase life. Significant extension of vase life and decrease in bending incidence was observed in blooms of `Campitano', `Dino' and `Testarossa' gerberas injected with 1.0% CaCl2, followed by dipping in 1.0% CaCl2 postharvest compared with the control. `Sangria' gerbera scapes preharvest sprayed with 1.0–1.5% CaCl2 had the longest flower longevity and the lowest bending incidence. Scape calcium concentration of `Campitano', `Sangria' and `Testarossa' increased by 250, 130 and 370%, respectively, compared with the control; calcium treatments resulted in a 3–4 d increase in vase life and a 3-5 d delay in bending incidence relative to the control; treatments with 1.5% CaCl2 considerably increased scape calcium content but did not contribute any additional increase in the vase life of the flowers. Although postharvest dipping with 1.0% CaCl2 had moderate results compared with the other treatments it can be considered as a promising postharvest treatment to extend vase life of cut gerberas due to the ease of application.