The longevity of cut <i>Polygonatum multiflorum</i> (L.) All. shoots depending on postharvest handling

Abstract

The experiment was carried out to investigate the possibility of extension of the postharvest longevity of cut shoots of <i>Polygonatum multiflorum</i> depending on the type of conditioning. The shoots were collected for three experiments in May, June, and July. The following substances were used for conditioning: gibberellic acid (in May, June, and July) at a concentration of 50 and 100 mg dm<sup>-3</sup>, benzyladenine (in May) at a concentration of 50 or 100 mg dm<sup>-3</sup>, and 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate (in July) at a concentration of 200 mg dm<sup>-3</sup>. The conditioning was carried out at a temperature of 5 °C or 18 °C (May, June) or 18 °C (July). After conditioning, shoots were stored in a room at a temperature of 18 °C (May, June) or at 18 °C or 22 °C (July). The shoots of <i>Polygonatum multiflorum</i> harvested in July and conditioned with gibberellic acid at a concentration of 100 mg dm<sup>-3</sup> were characterized by extended longevity. Benzyladenine at a concentration of 50 mg dm<sup>-3</sup> proved to be useful for conditioning. In turn, 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate had no influence on the longevity of the shoots. The variation in the temperature during conditioning and storage was found not to have a positive impact on longevity.