POSTHARVEST HANDLING OF CUT ACACIA BRANCHES

Abstract

An effective postharvest protocol for Acacia branches cut in bud has been developed. Branches of A. retinodes were cut at the yellow bud stage. Yellow buds were opened with a 16 h pulse at 10, 20 or 30°C with solution containing 0.01% Agral, aluminium sulphate and 1-2% sucrose. The addition of Agral to bud opening solutions at 10 or 20°C significantly enhanced the number of buds that opened as well as improving flower vase life. Agral and aluminium sulphate pulsing at 10 or 20°C was significantly more effective at opening buds than pulsing with sucrose solutions at 30°C, currently in use commercially. Branches transported at 20°C for 2.5 days with stems immersed in 5% sucrose + 50 mg/L chlorine lasted longer than those transported dry in plastic sleeves in fibreboard boxes, but dry transported branches effectively rehydrated after 2.5 days of simulated transport at 20°C. Those branches transported dry required a 16 h post-transport pulse containing sucrose, or a vase solution containing 1% sucrose to maximise vase life, while branches transported in sucrose solution did not require a further supply of sucrose. Pulsing with 0.01% Agral is vital to ensure Acacia flowers withstand transport, whether shipped in solution, or tightly packed in plastic sleeves in flower boxes.