Ethylene and Water Stress in the Senescence of cut Anthurium Flowers

Abstract

Abstract Anthurium flower (Anthurium andraeanum Andre) postharvest life was studied relative to water balance. Rate of water uptake declined to 20% of the harvest rate within 10 days. Silver nitrate pulsing reduced the water uptake rate decline and helped to maintain an increased rate 10 days after harvest. The spadix was the site of 50% to 60% of water loss while 20% to 40% of the loss occurred via the spathe and 10% to 20% via the stem. Water loss can be reduced by waxing with carnauba and other commerical fruit waxes, and this treatment can double postharvest life. The inhibitors Co2+ and amino-ethoxyvinylglycine significantly reduced the peak of ethylene produced, whereas inhibitors of ethylene response (Ag+, nitrogen and carbon dioxide bubbling) reduced autocatalytic ethylene production from cut anthurium flower stem sections. The cut stem ethylene production peaked 10 hr after cutting, then declined. Cytokinin also affected postharvest life, apparently via effects on water balance. Biocides (quaternary ammonium compound, streptomycin, nystatin, chloramphenicol, and a commercial flower preservative) had little effect on vase life. Wound ethylene-induced stem clogging and not microbial clogging of vascular tissue probably was the major factor limiting postharvest life, inducing water stress and senescence.