Abstract
The effect of the lighting environment during postharvest storage of ornamentals has largely been neglected in previous research. Anthurium is a cold-sensitive species originating from tropical climates and is widely cultivated all around the world for its colorful spathes. To investigate the effects of light spectrum on the performance of Anthurium cut flowers under cold storage, two cultivars [Calore (red spathe) and Angel (withe spathe)] were placed at low temperature (4°C), either in darkness (D) or under different light spectra [red (R), blue (B), 70:30% red:blue (RB), and white (W)] at an intensity of 125 µmol.m−2.s−1. In both cultivars, the longest and shortest vase lives were observed in spathes exposed to the R and B spectra, respectively. In both cultivars, electrolyte leakage (EL) of spathe was highest under the B and W spectra and lowest under the R spectrum. The highest rate of flower water loss from the spathes was observed under the B-containing light spectra, whereas the lowest rate of water loss was observed in D and under the R spectrum. Negative correlations were observed between EL and vase life and between anthocyanin concentration and EL for both Anthurium cultivars. A positive correlation was found between anthocyanin concentration and vase life. For both Anthurium cultivars, spectral light composition with higher percentage of B resulted in higher EL and as a result shorter vase life in cut flowers under cold storage condition. The negative effect of the B light spectrum on vase life of Anthurium can be explained through its effect on water loss and on oxidative stress and membrane integrity. The quality of Anthurium cut flowers should benefit from environments with restricted B light spectrum during postharvest handling.
Highlights
Tropical flowers are produced worldwide because of their ornamental values
In ‘Calore’, exposure to D, B, and RB spectra resulted in shorter vase life when compared to the vase life of flowers exposed to R and W spectra. These results indicate that R spectrum is able to prolong the vase life of Anthurium cut flowers in cold environments and that vase life under light was roughly dependent on the percentage of B
Our result showed that a higher percentage of B in the spectral light composition during postharvest phase resulted in higher electrolyte leakage (EL) and as a result shorter vase life in Anthurium cut flowers under cold storage conditions (Figure 4)
Summary
Tropical flowers are produced worldwide because of their ornamental values. Postharvest handling of tropical flowers (e.g. Anthurium) is usually difficult due to their sensitivity to low temperatures. Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum) is a tropical plant used in ornamental industry for its colorful spathes and green leaves. It is produced in wide ranges of climates; in locations far away from their. Anthurium flowers may be exposed to low temperatures as they are often part of mixed transport or storage with other flowers that need lower temperatures. This may cause a decrease in the quality of the spathe in customer locations. Browning and blueing of spathe and wilting of spadix are observed in Anthurium cut flowers when they face temperatures lower than 12°C (Promyou et al, 2012; Soleimani Aghdam et al, 2015)
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