Abstract
End-user vase life of two popular cut flowers, gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii) and alstroemeria (Alstroemeria spp.) is limited due to non-adoption of appropriate postharvest treatments in Sri Lanka. Citric acid-based cut flower preservatives could be affordable treatments to extend the longevity of those species. Therefore, a study was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of pulse and vase solution treatments with citric acid for increasing the keeping quality of cut gerbera and alstroemeria flowers. For pulsing, cut flower stems were treated with 0 mM (distilled water), 5, 10 and 15 mM citric acid combined with 5, 16 and 24 h pulsing durations. Only alstroemeria was further tested with 0, 15, 25 and 30 mM citric acid with previous pulsing durations. Pulsed stems were stood into distilled water for vase life evaluation. For vase solution treatment, citric acid at 0, 1, 2, 5 and 10 mM concentrations were incorporated in vase water. In the next step, two levels of citric acid (0, 1 mM) were combined with four levels of sucrose (0, 1, 2, 5%) in vase water for gerbera. Factorial experiments were arranged in completely randomized design with five to ten replicates. Data on vase life, relative fresh weight and solution uptake rate were recorded. Pulse treatments were ineffective for improving vase life. Nevertheless, a vase solution with 1 mM citric acid showed a 2-fold increase in vase life and a better retention of fresh weight in cut gerbera. Incorporation of citric acid in vase water did not extend the vase life of cut alstroemeria flowers. Combining citric acid with sugar in the vase solution maintained favourable relative fresh weight, water uptake rates and vase life in cut gerbera. Thus, incorporation of 1 mM citric acid and 1 – 2 % sugar in vase or holding solutions could improve the longevity of cut gerbera flowers.
Highlights
Floriculture in Sri Lanka started as an industry in 1970s
Citric acid pulsing was apparently ineffective for gerbera as it caused symptoms of phytotoxicity at the used concentrations and durations, resulting in decreased vase life compared to the control (Table 1)
Because the treatments which were used in Experiment 1 had no positive effect on vase life or apparently not phytotoxic, it was presumed that pulsing with a higher concentration of citric acid would benefit alstroemeria
Summary
Floriculture in Sri Lanka started as an industry in 1970s. North Western and Central provinces in Sri Lanka are the major areas where cut flowers are grown commercially (Dhanasekera, 1998). Floriculture is recognized as a profitable industry in Sri Lanka since it generates a higher income per unit area when compared to many other crops. Sri Lanka exports cut flowers to Japan, The Netherlands, Canada and The United Kingdom (Kelegama, 2001). Increasing trend in exports indicates the rising demand for Sri Lankan products in many markets around the world. The sector generates high net foreign exchange earnings to the country while contributing to employment generation in the rural and suburban areas. The Export Development Board of Sri Lanka (EDB) has, in its five-year plan, identified floriculture as a key contributor which needs promotion and development in
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