Heliconia ‘Golden Torch’ postharvest: stem ends cutting and renewing vase water benefits

Wladiney Rodrigues Folha,Rafaela Ribeiro Souza,Jullyanna Nair Carvalho,Genilda Canuto Amaral,Márkilla Zunete Beckmann Cavalcante,Alcilane Arnaldo Silva

doi:10.14295/oh.v22i2.908

Abstract

The postharvest longevity is one of the main aspects that should be considered in the production of cut flowers and is a pre-requisite for product quality and marketing success. However, cut flowers are highly perishable products that need to be treated and stored to maintain its quality and value. This study aimed to assess Heliconia psittacorum ‘Golden Torch’ inflorescences postharvest longevity, submitted to periodic stem ends cutting and vase water renewal. The experimental design was a completely randomized 3x2 factorial, corresponding to the stem ends cuts (1 cm; without cutting; cutting at 24 hours; cutting at 48 hours) and water renewal (with and without renewal), with four repetitions. The assessed variables were: water uptake by flower stems (WUFS); loss of fresh stem mass (LFSM); dry matter of flower stems (DMFS) and postharvest longevity (PHL). The stem cut significantly influenced WUFS and LFSM. However, the water renewal factors affected all variables, while the interaction between factors (stem cuts x water renewal) only influenced PHL. The cuts at the stem base of Heliconia ‘Golden Torch’ procedures enable the restoration of water potential and this practice, associated with water renewal during storage allows greater tissues hydration, maintaining the postharvest quality.

Highlights

Floriculture is one of the most important economic activities in the Brazilian agribusiness
Is important to observe that postharvest longevity is among the most important aspects in the production of cut flowers, since it is directly related to quality and success of the crop marketing (CASTRO et al, 2007)
This study aimed to evaluate the Heliconia psittacorum ‘Golden Torch’ inflorescences postharvest longevity, with cutting of stem ends and vase water renewal

Summary

Introduction

Floriculture is one of the most important economic activities in the Brazilian agribusiness In this sector, the marketing of flowers and cut foliage ranks second, increasing its percentage rate of approximately 31.4% in 2008, to 34.3% in 2013 (UNEMOTO et al, 2012). The marketing of flowers and cut foliage ranks second, increasing its percentage rate of approximately 31.4% in 2008, to 34.3% in 2013 (UNEMOTO et al, 2012) This improvement reflects a good market acceptance, along with ideal growing conditions in Brazil, which enable the production of flowers and ornamental plants of excellent quality, representing a good opportunity for Brazil to expand its agricultural frontiers, increasing the capacity to generate employment and income in rural areas (JUNQUEIRA and PEETZ, 2014; ALBUQUERQUE et al, 2014). It is important to observe that postharvest longevity is among the most important aspects in the production of cut flowers, since it is directly related to quality and success of the crop marketing (CASTRO et al, 2007)

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Results