Postharvest Longevity Of Cut Flowers Research Articles

Signalling cascades choreographing petal cell death: implications for postharvest quality.

Senescence is a multifaceted and dynamic developmental phase pivotal in the plant's lifecycle, exerting significant influence and involving intricate regulatory mechanisms marked by a variety of structural, biochemical and molecular alterations. Biochemical changes, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, membrane deterioration, nucleic acid degradation and protein degradation, characterize flower senescence. The progression of senescence entails a meticulously orchestrated network of interconnected molecular mechanisms and signalling pathways, ensuring its synchronized and efficient execution. Within flowering plants, petal senescence emerges as a crucial aspect significantly impacting flower longevity and postharvest quality, emphasizing the pressing necessity of unravelling the underlying signalling cascades orchestrating this process. Understanding the complex signalling pathways regulating petal senescence holds paramount importance, not only shedding light on the broader phenomenon of plant senescence but also paving the way for the development of targeted strategies to enhance the postharvest longevity of cut flowers. Various signalling pathways participate in petal senescence, encompassing hormone signalling, calcium signalling, protein kinase signalling and ROS signalling. Among these, the ethylene signalling pathway is extensively studied, and the manipulation of genes associated with ethylene biosynthesis or signal transduction has demonstrated the potential to enhance flower longevity. A thorough understanding of these complex pathways is critical for effectively delaying flower senescence, thereby enhancing postharvest quality and ornamental value. Therefore, this review adopts a viewpoint that combines fundamental research into the molecular intricacies of senescence with a practical orientation towards developing strategies for improving the postharvest quality of cut flowers. The innovation of this review is to shed light on the pivotal signalling cascades underpinning flower senescence and offer insights into potential approaches for modulating these pathways to postpone petal senescence in ornamental plants.

Nanosponges and CPPU for shelf-life prolongation of cut carnations

Nanosponges can favour the gradual release of molecules over a prolonged time, increasing the bioavailability and action of preservatives and phytoregulators, reducing the concentrations usually adopted. In floriculture, they have previously been proposed for the delivery of anti-ethylene compounds to improve the shelf-life of cut flowers. However, the potential of nanosponges is not only limited to these compounds. The present study evaluated the effects of β-cyclodextrin-based nanosponges and growth regulators on the post-harvest longevity of cut flowers of ornamental species. One novelty was the use of Forchlorfenuron (CPPU), a growth regulator belonging to the group of cytokinins predominantly used in fruit cultivation, to evaluate its potential to increase the shelf-life of cut carnations (Dhiantus caryophyllus). Specifically, as far as post-harvest longevity is concerned, the treatments involved the use of: deionised water; nanosponges and deionised water; nanosponges loaded with CPPU; nanosponges loaded with a classic solution for cut flowers, composed of sucrose, aluminium sulphate and 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate. Preliminary results show that the nanosponge and deionised water complex and the nanosponge and classical solution complex prolonged the longevity of the cut flower by up to 20 days, compared to the control (17 days). In contrast, the CPPU-nanosponge complex showed similar results to the control. Replication of the research is necessary to validate the results.

Postharvest longevity of cut flowers depending on the lighting conditions

Postharvest longevity of cut flowers depending on the lighting conditions

A combined transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of chrysanthemum provides new insights into petal senescence.

Numerous transcription factor genes and methylation-related genes were differentially expressed in senescent petals compared with control petals. Studying petal senescence is crucial for extending the postharvest longevity of cut flowers, but petal senescence remains relatively unexplored compared to well-studied leaf senescence. In this study, a combined transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of senescent (22days after cutting) and control (0day after cutting) petals was performed to investigate the molecular processes underlying petal senescence of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.), an important cut flower crop worldwide. A total of 11,324 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 4888 up-regulated and 6436 down-regulated genes, and 403 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), including 210 up-regulated and 193 down-regulated proteins, were identified at transcript and protein levels, respectively. A cross-comparison of transcriptomic and proteomic data identified 257 consistent DEGs/DEPs, including 122 up-regulated and 135 down-regulated DEGs/DEPs. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed that "cutin, suberine and wax biosynthesis" is a main pathway for both DEGs and DEPs, especially for down-regulated DEGs/DEPs. Functional analysis indicated that chrysanthemum genes mainly encoding putative cytochrome P450s, non-specific lipid-transfer proteins, subtilisin-like proteases, AAA-ATPases, proteins essential for cuticular wax biosynthesis, and proteins in hormone signal transduction or ubiquitination were differentially expressed at both transcript and protein levels. In addition, numerous transcription factor genes and methylation-related genes were also differentially expressed, inferring an involvement of transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in petal senescence. These results provide a valuable resource of studying chrysanthemum senescence and significant insights into petal senescence.

Effect of glucose, fructose, and sucrose on vase life, antioxidants enzymes, and some physiologic parameters of carnation cv. ‘Yellow Candy’ cut flower

Introduction: Carnation (Dianthus caryphyllus L.), from Caryophyllaceae family, is one of the most important cut flowers in the world that its short vase life reduces the economic value. Postharvest longevity of cut flowers can be prolonged using carbohydrates (sugars) in a vase jar. Cut flowers undergo some physiological and biochemical changes that often lead to an early senescence. To delay the aging process in cut flowers, it is necessary to evaluate many aspects of preparation for storage conditions, especially preservative solutions that affect the quality and longevity of these flowers. Many flowers are harvested before they are fully developed, to ensure a long postharvest life and to minimize mechanical damages that might occur during handling. The growth and development of flower buds on cut flowers require food (especially carbohydrates), which is stored in the leaves and stems. These stored carbohydrates can be mobilized for the flower bud to use but maybe they are insufficient when the buds are harvested at a tight-bud stage. To maintain metabolic activities, including respiration, even for cut flowers that have reached full development, it is necessary to provide adequate reserves to achieve acceptable postharvest life. When stored materials are low, leaves and flowers age faster and the petals fade. Under these conditions, supplements can be provided to the flowers by adding sugars such as glucose, fructose and sucrose to the vase solutions. However, it is important to note that a sugar solution is also suitable for the growth of microorganisms, so that an antimicrobial agent should be added to the vase solution as well. Many researches were carried out on prolonging the vase life of cut carnation flowers with different preservative solutions together with an antimicrobial agent. Studies on postharvest longevity of cut carnation flowers using sugars as preservative solutions is low. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and application time on vase life and some physiological parameters of carnation cv. “Yellow Candy” cut flowers.Materials and Methods: A factorial experiment based on completely randomized design in three replicates was performed in order to investigate the effect of different levels (0, 50 and 100 g/L) of three types of sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose) and two sugar application times (the first and second 24 h) on vase life of carnation cv. Yellow Candy cut flowers. Some other traits such as water uptake, dry mater, relative fresh weight, protein and carotenoid of petal, leaf chlorophyll, POD and SOD enzymes activity and MDA were also measured. The statistical analysis of data was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) v 16.0. Least significant difference (LSD) test at P < 0.05 was used to find out the significance of differences among the mean values.Results and Discussion: Results showed that the effect of different levels of sugars on all evaluated traits was significant. Each three levels of sugars at each two applied times caused to increase vase life and relative traits. Maximum vase life (18 days) was obtained in 50 g/L glucose at the first 24 h with no statistically significant differences with the 100 g/L sucrose and fructose at the first 24 h. The highest water uptakes and dry matter, the lowest POD and SOD activity and minimum MDA were obtained in treatment of 50 g/L glucose at the first 24 h. The highest petal protein content, chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll were achieved in treatment of 50 g/L glucose at the second 24 h. The use of sugars at the first 24 h was more effective in improving the vase life than at the second one. Therefore, application of glucose, preferably in the early hours of harvesting flowers, can be recommended as a prolonged postharvest carnation Yellow Candy cut flowers. Positive effect of external holding solutions in vase jar particularly sugars together with an antimicrobial agent on prolonging the vase life of many cut flowers have been shown. Treatment of some cut flowers with sucrose increased glucose and fructose in petals. External sugars can be provided to cut flowers by dissolving a known amount of sugar, along with an antimicrobial agent, into the vase solution. The optimum concentration of sugar varies significantly depending on the flowers being treated. Concentration of 2% sugar is used to keep most flowers in the vase solution. However, some other flowers require higher concentrations, such as 4 to 6%. Some flowers are damaged when treated with concentrations higher than 1%. Therefore, it is important to examine each flower before treating it to determine the optimal concentration of sugars. Sugars are a source of energy and carbon for cut flowers and play an important role in decreasing the protein degradation and ethylene production, maintenance of osmotic balance, increasing water uptake, and finally delaying in senescence process.

A review on the effect of storage methods and packaging material on the post-harvest longevity of cut flowers

Flowers are beautiful and very complex commodity which deteriorates within a few days to a week only. To keep the cut flower in vase appealing to consumer for longer period, floriculture researchers have standardized various post-harvest technologies for various flowers. These post-harvest technologies of cut flowers includes the precooling, standardization of pulsing solutions, selecting the appropriate storage methods and storage temperature, choosing the suitable packaging material and standardization of holding solution for a particular cut flower. This review is an insight into the various storage methods such as cold storage and wet storage and numerous packaging materials (Polyethylene, Polypropylene and newspaper etc.) suggested by various researchers for particular cut flower. This will gives the base for the further post-harvest studies of cut flowers.

Pretreatment with Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extract improves the postharvest quality of cut roses (Rosa hybrida L.)

Microbial growth in vase solutions and ethylene damage are often associated with premature senescence in cut flowers. We examined the efficacy of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extract (SC) to improve postharvest longevity and quality of two cut roses (Rosa hybrida L.) ‘Jinny’ and ‘Wild Look’ to develop an inexpensive and innocuous preservative solution for the cut flower industry. Pretreatments with 100, 200, 300, and 500 μL L−1 SC effectively extended the vase life of the cut rose cultivars. Among the tested pretreatments, 300 μL L−1 of SC was the most effective concentration and significantly prolonged the postharvest longevity of cut flowers from 11.8 days (control) to 17.4 days in ‘Jinny’ and from 13.6 (control) to 20.9 days in ‘Wild Look’. The beneficial effects of 300 μL L−1 SC pretreatment inhibited bacterial accumulation at the base of the cut stems, enhanced water uptake, and maintained initial fresh weight, positive water balance, and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) in the leaves of cut roses. In addition, 300 μL L−1 SC pretreatment suppressed the transcript levels of ethylene biosynthesis genes (RhACO1, RhACS1, RhACS3, and RhACS4) in rose petals and delayed flower senescence. The efficacy of 300 μL L−1 SC pretreatment in extending the vase life of cut roses was equal to 0.1 mM silver thiosulfate (STS), and greater than hydrosol (H), H + SC, and H + sucrose (H + Suc). Therefore, the results from our study highlight the potential of SC as an alternative preservative in the cut rose industry.

Comparison of petal senescence in forced and unforced common lilac flowers during their postharvest life

Recently, the programmed cell death (PCD) is studied in the context of the postharvest longevity of cut flowers with the goal of slowing down the processes that ultimately lead to flower death, and to ensure a long display life of cut plant material. In this study, the phenomenon of PCD in petals of common lilac (Syringa vulgaris L.) was observed, aimed to compare degradation of petal cells in flowers blooming under natural conditions with those forced in November. For the early lilac forcing, a deep dormancy has to be broken by high temperatures 35–37 °C negatively affecting postharvest life of cut branches. The trials included as well the observation of the effect of two flower preservatives on the PCD in order to see if the prolongation of the lilac vase life was associated with a delay in the onset of the PCD symptoms. The vase life of cut lilacs was significantly increased by both preservatives. The first symptoms of PCD were evident in the flower bud stage. In petals from forced shrubs, the first symptoms of cell degradation were much more advanced than in lilacs blooming naturally in May. In forced flowers held in the preservatives, the degradative changes in cells occurred later than in those kept in water, but they were accelerated relative to a flower developmental stage.

Effect of growth regulators on the postharvest longevity of cut flowers and leaves of the calla lily (Zantedeschia Spreng.)

The conditioning of flowers of the calla lily cultivar 'Albomaculata' in BA at concentrations of 50-150 mg×dm&lt;sup&gt;-3 &lt;/sup&gt;extends their postharvest longevity by 6.2-14.5 days. An extension of the longevity of the flowers by 15 days can be obtained after the application of a solution of 8HQS with saccharose on a continuous basis. Effective in improving the longevity of leaves of cultivar 'Sunglow' is GA&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; at a concentration of 400 mg×dm&lt;sup&gt;-3&lt;/sup&gt;. What is more, its application at concentrations of 300-400 mg×dm&lt;sup&gt;-3&lt;/sup&gt; boosts their greenness index. GA&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; at concentrations of 50 and 100 mg×dm&lt;sup&gt;-3&lt;/sup&gt; extends the postharvest longevity of leaves of the cultivar 'Black Eyed Beauty' by 18 and 11 days, respectively, while BA shortens it. A combined application of BA and GA&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; inhibits chlorophyll degradation, while GA&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; and a mixture of BA and GA&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; inhibit protein degradation.

Genetics of Postharvest Longevity and Quality Traits in Late Generation Crosses of Antirrhinum majus L.

Progeny of 158 F5 × F5 crosses of Antirrhinum majus (snapdragon) selected within and among cut flower postharvest longevity (PHL) categories (long = 12.6-16.8 days, middle = 9.3-12.1 days, and short = 4.8-8.9 days) were evaluated for PHL and quality traits. Results were compared with previous studies involving F2 × F2 progeny, and F3, F4, and F5 inbred lines. Heritability of PHL in F5 × F5 progeny (0.77 ± 0.11) agrees with that of inbred lines (0.79 to 0.81) but is higher than in F2 × F2 progeny (0.41). Therefore, selection for increased PHL should progress more rapidly and predictably through application of inbred lines rather than F2 individuals. Significant differences between F5 × F5 progeny PHL categories confirm PHL is heritable with a significant additive component. Heritabilities of quality traits in A. majus are high, suggesting selection for quality traits should progress without difficulty. Phenotypic and genotypic correlations of PHL with quality traits are not consistently significant across PHL studies in A. majus. Discrepancies between studies suggest most traits may not be correlated to PHL or are subject to strong environmental influence.

Comparison of Stomatal Density and Postharvest Transpiration between Long- and Short-lived Cut Flower Genotypes of Antirrhinum majus L.

Evaluation of leaf stomatal numbers and postharvest water loss indicate these are important factors in Antirrhinum majus (snapdragon) cut flower postharvest longevity (PHL). Cut flowers with 9 days longer PHL had 53% fewer leaf stomata. Long PHL is associated with an early reduction in transpiration followed by low steady transpiration. Short-lived genotypes had a linear transpiration pattern over the period of PHL indicating poor stomatal control of water loss. Short-lived genotypes had 22% to 33% reductions in fourth quarter transpiration while long-lived genotypes had 2% to 8% reductions. In addition, short-lived genotypes had higher average fourth quarter cut flower weight losses compared to long-lived genotypes. Further investigation of stomatal numbers and functioning relative to PHL may provide breeders a rapid and nondestructive indirect selection method for PHL.

Genetic Analysis of Cut-flower Longevity in Antirrhinum majus

Genetics of Antirrhinum majus L. (snapdragon) cut flower postharvest longevity (PHL) was investigated by generation means analysis using a white short-lived inbred (WS) and white long-lived inbred (WL) to determine mode of inheritance and heritability. Broad and narrow sense PHL heritability was estimated at 78% and 30%, respectively. Scaling tests for adequacy of an additive-dominance model in explaining PHL inheritance suggested absence of epistasis. However, joint scaling indicated digenic or higher order epistatic interactions. Fitting of a digenic epistatic model revealed significant additive effects and nonsignificant dominance and epistatic interactions. Additionally, based on sequential model fittings all six parameters [mean, additive (a), dominance (d), a×a, d×d, and a×d] proved necessary to explain observed PHL variation. Continuous variation for PHL observed in the F2 and backcross generations suggests PHL is quantitative. Assessment of associated traits revealed a positive relationship between number of flowers opening postharvest on a cut flower and PHL. In addition, floret wilting led to short PHL while floret browning was associated with long PHL.

Evaluation of Forty-seven Cultivars of Lisianthus as Cut Flowers

Lisianthus [Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf). Shinn.] is emerging as an important cut flower in the United States while in European and Asian markets it is already listed among the top ten cut flowers. Many new cultivars have been released in the United States within the last 5 years, but comparative performance trials of these cultivars have been lacking. This trial evaluated 47 cultivars of lisianthus representing series (cultivar groups) that were marketed in the United States in 1998. Evaluations were made for rosetting, plug performance, cut-flower characteristics (vegetative and flowering attributes) as well as postharvest longevity of cut flowers. Significant differences among cultivars were found for all of the attributes evaluated. `Malibu Purple', `Catalina Blue Blush', and `Alice Pink' were selected as the best performers in the seedling (plug) stage since they had less than 5% rosettes, large leaves and a vigorous root system. Cultivars were placed in classes based on flower color, flower size, and number of petals (single or double flowers). Cultivars were ranked for each of the attributes and the total rank sum of all attributes (TRS) was used to select the best in class. Cultivars selected as best in class were `Malibu Purple', `Malibu Blue Blush', `Alice Purple', `Balboa Blue', `Avila Blue Rim', `Mellow Pink', `Flamenco Wine Red', `Flamenco Rose Rim', `Alice Pink', `Avila Rose' and `Echo Pink', `Alice White', and `Mariachi White'.

Heritability of Postharvest Longevity of Antirrhinum majus

Breeding for postharvest longevity of cut flowers has not been done to any great extent in spite of the potential benefits from reduced chemical preservative usage and increased popularity of cuts due to longer vaselife. Some studies have reported broad-sense heritabilities for postharvest longevity of 36% to 46% and narrow-sense heritabilities of 0% to 38%. Postharvest longevity of cut flowers of Antirrhinum majus L. (snapdragon) inbreds range from 2 to 16 d with the F1 hybrids intermediate at 8.1 d when evaluated in deionized water. It would appear postharvest longevity of snapdragon cut flowers should be a selectable trait. In an effort to determine narrow-sense heritability for postharvest longevity of snapdragon cut flowers, a generation means analysis was established using single-seed descent S4 generation inbreds with postharvest longevities of 2 and 15 d. Plants were grown in greenhouses at the Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, in August and harvested in Nov. 1997 for postharvest evaluation. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with 2 environments and 3 replications. Nonsegregating generations (P1, P2, and F1) consisted of 10 plants per replication, backcrosses 30 plants per replication, and the F2 with 60 plants per replication. Data will be presented on narrow-sense heritability of postharvest longevity of snapdragon cut flowers.