Extending Potted Bougainvillea Post-production: NAA, STS, and Ethanol

Abstract

The effect of NAA [16.5 mg/L or 500 mg/L sprayed once at end-of-production from two different sources: wettable powder (Fruitone) and sodium hydroxide solution (Sigma)], STS (0.5 mM sprayed once at end-of-production and 0.4 mM sprayed every 15 days after bracts started to be apparent) and ethanol 50% (v/v) solution, sprayed twice: at end-of-production and immediately after simulated transport) were tested using two types of completely randomized experiments. At the end-of-production plants were placed for 3 days under simulated transport conditions (171°C, no light) and then placed under interior conditions (211°C and 11 mol·s–1·m–2 of cool-white fluorescent light 12 h/day). Every other day during post-production the number of bracts not completely developed (ED), as well as the number of completely (CD) developed, bracts remaining in the plants were assessed. Among the post-production treatments tested, NAA (500 mg/L) and STS (applications every 15 days during production) + NAA (16.5 mg/L) were the most-efficient treatments. Ethanol and STS (one single application) did not control bract abscission efficiently and did not increase plant longevity. Plants treated with NAA abscise more not completely develop bracts than completely developed bracts. Use of NAA in potted bougainvillea requires fully developed bracts at end-of-production.