POSTHARVEST LIFE OF CUT ROSE FLOWERS AS AFFECTED BY SILVER THIOSULFATE AND SUCROSE

Abstract

A pulse treatment of sucrose at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120gL(superscript (-1)) in combination with 8-hydrox-yquinoline sulfate (HQS) at 200 mg L(superscript (-1)) for 10h was evaluated daily for its effect on the vase life and flower quality of cut rose flowers. The pulse treatment of sucrose at above 80gL(superscript (-1)) produced a vase life of 6 to 7 days, while at below 80gL(superscript (-1)) vase life was maintained for 4 days on average. The pulse treatment of silver thiosulfate (STS) at 0.2mM for 2h or STS for 2h followed by sucrose at 120gL(superscript (-1)) supplemented with HQS for 10h extended the vase life of cut rose flowers to about 9 and 10 days, individually. On the other hand, a pulse treatment with sucrose or distilled water in combination with HQS maintained vase life for 7 and 3 days, respectively. Flower quality of specimens treated with STS followed by sucrose in combination with HQS was better than that of those treated with STS alone. Although visual quality could be maintained for up to 13 days in STS followed by sucrose in combination with HQS, flower quality decreased notably after 10 days. The ethylene production was greatest in untreated rose flowers (about 3h after harvest) and decreased after chemical solutions treatment. The inhibition of ethylene production was greater in sucrose in combination with HQS than with STS or STS followed by sucrose along with HQS, although the effectiveness of the latter for maintaining rose vase life was better than the former.