Abstract
The quality of floral stems depends on a set of pre-harvest factors which can influence their postharvest longevity. Although the identification of visual signs of senescence through scales is decisive in assessing the loss of floral quality in the postharvest period, this scale does not exist for zinnia flowers (Zinnia elegans Jacq.). Thus, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of different irrigation levels and growing seasons on the postharvest longevity of zinnia floral stems; and to determine a senescence scale to assess their durability. Therefore, zinnia plants (cv. “Red California Giant”) were cultivated in pots inside a greenhouse in Seropédica (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), with a randomized block design, under four irrigation levels (46%, 64%, 75% and 100% of the species’ water requirement) and two cycles (autumn-winter and winter-spring). At the end of each cycle, 48 stems from each treatment were harvested and placed in containers holding 300 mL of supply water. For all irrigation levels and crop cycles, there was an increase in the fresh stem weight on the first days after harvesting and the water absorption rate was higher on the first day of evaluation. The proposed senescence scale allowed us to evaluate the loss of floral quality in the postharvest period. The stems from both cycles had satisfactory results, mainly of commercial longevity and the score 5 on the scale, which represents 100% of the stems’ market value. The main postharvest results of the zinnia floral stems were not influenced by the irrigation levels.
Highlights
The floriculture and ornamental plants’ sector in the Brazilian agribusiness is an economically growing activity that has a great potential for expansion (Junqueira & Peetz, 2014)
The identification of visual signs of senescence through scales is decisive in assessing the loss of floral quality in the postharvest period, this scale does not exist for zinnia flowers (Zinnia elegans Jacq.)
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of different irrigation levels and growing seasons on the postharvest longevity of zinnia floral stems; and to determine a senescence scale to assess their durability
Summary
The floriculture and ornamental plants’ sector in the Brazilian agribusiness is an economically growing activity that has a great potential for expansion (Junqueira & Peetz, 2014). Throughout the world, floriculture contributes with a production value of about € 37,000 million to the horticultural sector (Cassaniti et al, 2013). To increase this production value, it is necessary to use techniques that favor the development and the ultimate quality of the flowers. Irrigation management is crucial to the productivity of this sector since deficient or excessive irrigation reduces productivity and the quality of flowers (Farias et al, 2009). There is limited information about the effect of weather conditions on the quality of flowers. Temperature and other environmental factors influence the final quality of the product (Ebrahimzadeh et al, 2008)
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