Abstract
The loss of commercial quality during storage and transportation of roses is one of the factors that reflect on production costs, leading producers to preventively apply harmful chemicals, mainly to hamper Botrytis cinerea development and reduce further losses. An alternative to increase flower longevity without contaminating the environment with harmful chemicals is the use of natural products, such as essential oils, which have fungistatic and insecticide properties, as well as low toxicity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of essential oils on the vase life of Rosa cv. Avalanche: 12 treatments were tested, resulting from the combination of 5 types of essential oils plus the control in two cold storage periods (2 to 6 days) at 1 °C, 90-95% RH. The essential oils tested were eucalyptus, cinnamon, lemongrass and peppermint (1%), clove (0.1%), plus a control with distilled water. Application was made by spraying the flower buds. After storage at low temperatures, the flower stems were kept in a room (16 °C, 70% RH) during 10 days for evaluation. Flower stems stored for 2 days in a cold chamber showed better means for darkening, turgor and bent neck, as well as a lower weight loss by the stems. The application of lemongrass essential oil at 1% caused burns on the petals, compromising quality and pot life. The essential oils of peppermint and eucalyptus allowed flower quality maintenance until the 10th day of evaluation. It is possible to conclude that post-harvest spraying with peppermint or eucalyptus essential oil at 1%, combined with cold storage for 2 days, provided greater longevity and quality for cv. Avalanche roses.
Highlights
The loss of commercial quality during storage and transportation of roses is one of the factors that reflect on production costs, leading producers to preventively apply harmful chemicals, mainly to hamper Botrytis cinerea development and reduce further losses
V. 23, No 2, 2017, p. 192-199 reduce the use of pesticides in agriculture, the interest in the possibility of applying essential oils for the control of pathogens has increased (DAFERRERA et al, 2000)
The terpene-hydrocarbon complex, as well as their oxygenated derivatives, such as aldehydes, ketones, acids and esters, are responsible for the various effects produced by essential oils (SARTORI et al, 2011)
Summary
The loss of commercial quality during storage and transportation of roses is one of the factors that reflect on production costs, leading producers to preventively apply harmful chemicals, mainly to hamper Botrytis cinerea development and reduce further losses. It is possible to conclude that post-harvest spraying with peppermint or eucalyptus essential oil at 1%, combined with cold storage for 2 days, provided greater longevity and quality for cv. Conclui-se que a pulverização pós-colheita com óleo essencial de hortelã-pimenta ou eucalipto a 1% e o armazenamento em câmara fria por 2 dias possibilitam maior durabilidade e qualidade de rosas Avalanche. One of the factors affecting the commercial quality of cut flowers is the incidence of fungi, mainly Botrytis cinerea, common in both planting and post-harvest storage and transport (ELAD, 1998). The infestation of this fungus can shorten the shelf life of several products, causing large losses (TRIPATHI et al, 2008). The use of products that inhibit ethylene production reduces the incidence of Botrytis cinerea (ELAD et al, 2014)
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