Abstract
The present work was carried out to evaluate the influence of temperature and wet-versus-dry storage on longevity, respiration and ethylene production during storage of E. ibaguense flowers. The inflorescences were harvested and stored at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40°C, in water or dry, until complete senescence. Respiration increased when inflorescences were treated with wet or dry storage. The Q10 factor for this flower, at temperatures ranging from 5 to 40°C, was similar to most fresh horticultural products, varying between 1.2 and 3.31 depending on storage temperature. Production of ethylene by the inflorescence was maximal at 20°C for flowers maintained in water, and at 35°C for those flowers kept dry, followed by a sharp drop in both treatments. A maximal shelf life for cut flowers was obtained when the inflorescences were stored wet at 10°C. Symptoms of chilling were observed in flowers stored in water after six to seven days at 5°C, showing petal wilting and necrosis of the labellum. At 40°C, flowers stored dry showed severe petal wilting and darkening of bud petals less than one day after harvest.
Highlights
A large number of tropical ornamental plants have high commercial value as cut flowers, many of these species present short shelf life, which limits the length of storage and vase life
V. 33, n. 1, p. 111-115, 2011 flower species, the use of preservative solutions is recommended to extend vase life
It has been proposed that the respiration rate can be used as an indicator to predict the longevity of cut flowers, as previously examined in Narcissus and Consolida ajacis, making it possible to establish mathematical models between storage temperature and vase life (CEVALLOS; REID, 2000; FINGER et al, 2006)
Summary
A large number of tropical ornamental plants have high commercial value as cut flowers, many of these species present short shelf life, which limits the length of storage and vase life. 111-115, 2011 flower species, the use of preservative solutions is recommended to extend vase life Orchids such as Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium and Epidendrum are sensitive to ethylene. When they are exposed to that hormone, wilting and flower abscission are induced rapidly (FINGER; BARBOSA, 2006; WOLTERING; VAN DOORN, 1988). It has been proposed that the respiration rate can be used as an indicator to predict the longevity of cut flowers, as previously examined in Narcissus and Consolida ajacis, making it possible to establish mathematical models between storage temperature and vase life (CEVALLOS; REID, 2000; FINGER et al, 2006). The present work investigate the influence of temperature and wet versus dry storage on longevity, respiration and ethylene production during storage of E. ibaguense flowers
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