Abstract
Abstract The longevity of cut flowers is limited by their ephemeral nature and by multiple stresses. Impairment in water uptake, depletion of stored carbohydrates, increases in both respiratory activity and ethylene production are signatures of flower senescence. A wide range of techniques is available to extend flower preservation, including the use of flower preservative solutions, ethylene action inhibitors, growth regulators, and control of temperature and flower dehydration. The use of sucrose in pulsing solution, or as a component of vase solution, extends the vase life of flowers by either improving water balance and energy or delaying the senescence via reductions in ethylene biosynthesis. Inhibitors of ethylene production and action affect the longevity by extending the vase life of some ethylene-sensitive flowers. Flowers have intense respiratory activity, which may deplete the limited reserves of carbohydrates in the tissues. Lower temperatures markedly reduce both carbon dioxide concentration and ethylene production as well as its action. However, chilling-sensitive flowers, such as bird-of-paradise, heliconia, orchid, and ginger, cannot be stored below 10 to 13°C due to the intense development of tissue discoloration.
Highlights
Mechanical damage caused by improper handling during harvesting, sorting, storage, and transport induces an increase in the respiratory rate and reduces the useful life of flowers (Gómez-Merino et al, 2020)
The cut flower quality depends on its morphological characteristics and longevity, which is determined by the duration of such characteristics
Shelf life is a critical factor in determining the market value of cut flowers
Summary
Cut flowers have limited shelf life due to the depletion of organic reserve compounds by respiration (Finger et al, 2016), bacteria and fungi infection (Muñoz et al, 2019), withering (Elhindi, 2012a), mechanical damage (Fernandes et al, 2020), storage temperature (Menegaes et al, 2019), water quality (Van Doorn, 2012; Costa et al, 2015a), and increase on ethylene sensitivity (Khunmuang et al, 2019). The use of sucrose in pulsing solution, or as a component of vase solution, extends the vase life of flowers by either improving water balance and energy or delaying the senescence via reductions in ethylene biosynthesis. Inhibitors of ethylene production and action affect the longevity by extending the vase life of some ethylene-sensitive flowers.
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