Lisianthus Flowers Research Articles

Classification of Vase Life Day Based on Petal Colorimetric Data in Cut Lisianthus Using AutoML

This study investigated the potential of petal colorimetric data to classify vase life stages in cut lisianthus flowers (Eustoma grandiflorum). We analyzed the changes in the petal color space over time, focusing on the b* value as an indicator of senescence due to increasing yellowing caused by copigmentation. A comparative analysis was conducted between two cultivation methods: soil (S) and hydroponic (H) cultivation. The objective was to evaluate the performance of machine learning models trained to classify vase life stages based on petal color data. Automated machine learning models exhibited better performance in H-cultivated cut flowers, effectively distinguishing days within the vase life stages from Days 1 to 14 for H cultivation. Cut flowers cultivated under S conditions showed less variation in the color space from Days 1 to 9, maintaining a relatively uniform color range. This made it more difficult to distinguish the vase life stages compared to H cultivation. These findings demonstrate that petal color metrics can serve as reliable indicators of cut flower senescence and potentially facilitate nondestructive methods for classifying vase life stages. This technology holds promise for wider applications in the floriculture industry, improving quality control, and extending the vase life of various cut-flower crops.

Lisianthus Flowers Emitted Volatile Components Including Iridoids and Actinidine Which Attract Cats

Lisianthus Flowers Emitted Volatile Components Including Iridoids and Actinidine Which Attract Cats

Effects of Postharvest Treatments with Nanosilver on Senescence of Cut Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinn.) Flowers

Lisianthus is among the most popular cut flowers. Regarding the postharvest losses, these experiments were designed to compare the effects of a nanosilver (NS) based preservative to the standard preservative containing 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate (8-HQC) and sucrose (S). Additionally, the effect of 24 h conditioning in the NS solution on the postharvest longevity and the general condition of lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum ‘Mariachi Blue’) was tested. The vase life of flowers on conditioned and non-conditioned stems was extended by the preservatives, more so by NS + S than by 8-HQC + S (44–54% versus 13–23%). Conditioning had no detectable effect on longevity. Daily water uptake showed alternative peaks and drops, with a general tendency of the uptake rate to decrease over time. The highest uptake intensity and the highest transpiration rate were in stems in the NS + S solution while the lowest was in 8-HQC + S. Conditioning negatively affected the average fresh weight of the flowering stems in all holding solutions with stems in preservatives being heavier than those in water. Preservatives did not induce accumulation of the total soluble or reducing sugars in petals; such accumulation was promoted by conditioning, but only in the upper flowers. The free proline content increased in senescing lower flowers on non-conditioned stems; conditioning limited this increase in flowers in preservatives. In the upper flowers, free proline increased in both water controls while the preservatives and conditioning generally reduced the proline contents below the initial level. Conditioning lowered the hydrogen peroxide contents in senescing lower flowers, relative to the initial level and the non-conditioned stems. The catalase activity kept dropping during the vase life in both the lower and upper flowers, in conditioned and non-conditioned stems, with the exception of flowers from water where the activity remained the highest from all three treatments. It appears that the NS preservative with sucrose improves the overall condition of lisianthus flowers and extends their vase life.

Pectin-derived oligosaccharins effects on flower buds opening, pigmentation and antioxidant content of cut lisianthus flowers

Most flower buds do not open after the cut flower has been separate from the plant without having an external energy source. Sugar added in vase solutions usually has positive effects; however, it can also elicit and generate greater senescence. The objective of this paper was to determine the effects of sucrose, another external elicitor such as oligosaccharins, and the synergy of these compounds applied in vase solutions on the opening and pigmentation of lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum cv. 'Mariachi blue') flower buds. Different vase solutions were applied, including a negative control (water alone) and a positive control (commercial Floralife Crystal Clear®). The treatments were sucrose (4 %), pectin-derived oligosaccharins (Pectimorf® at 1 mg L−1 and 2 mg L−1), and the combination (2 mg L−1 oligosaccharins and 4 % sucrose). Physical and biochemical parameters were evaluated in flowers and leaves. Results suggest that oligosaccharins and sucrose synergy caused greater bud opening (12 % greater than negative control) and flower diameter (74 mm, 20 % greater than negative control), produced more intense color in young flowers, and modified antioxidant compounds content. These effects allow for prolonging vase life, maintaining the appearance, and increasing the color and flower size of lisianthus during postharvest as compared to water or sucrose alone treatments.

Increased substrate availability reveals the potential of scentless lisianthus flowers in producing fragrant benzenoid-phenylpropanoids.

Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum), a leading plant in the cut flower industry, is scentless. Here we show that lisianthus flowers have potential to produce several fragrant benzenoid-phenylpropanoids when substrate availability is not limited. To enable hyperaccumulation of substrates for the production of volatile benzenoid-phenylpropanoids, lisianthus commercial hybrid "Excalibur Pink" was transformed via floral dipping with a feedback-insensitive Escherichia coli DAHP synthase (AroG*) and Clarkia breweri benzyl alcohol acetyltransferase (BEAT), under constitutive promoters. The T1 progeny of "Excalibur Pink" plants segregated into four visual phenotypes, with pink or white colored petals and multiple or single petal layers. Interestingly, transformation with AroG* and BEAT caused no significant effect in the pigment composition among phenotypes, but did increase the levels of down-stream fragrant volatile benzenoids. All the transgenic lines exclusively accumulated methyl benzoate, a fragrant benzenoid, either in their petals or leaves. Furthermore, feeding with benzyl alcohol resulted in the accumulation of two novel benzenoids, benzyl acetate (the product of BEAT) and benzoate, as well as a dramatic increase in the concentrations of additional benzenoid-phenylpropanoid volatiles. Presumably, the degree of benzaldehyde overproduction after benzyl alcohol feeding in both leaves and flowers revealed their reverse conversion in lisianthus plants. These findings demonstrate the concealed capability of lisianthus plants to produce a wide array of fragrant benzenoid-phenylpropanoids, given high substrate concentrations, which could in turn open opportunities for future scent engineering.

Cerium nitrate and salicylic acid on vase life, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzymes activity in cut lisianthus flowers

Abstract Lisianthus is a major cut flower, but it has a short vase life. To prolong postharvest longevity and improve quantitative and qualitative traits of cut lisianthus flowers, an experiment was conducted on the basis of a Completely Randomized Design with eight treatments on 120 flower sprays in three replications. The experimental treatments included salicylic acid (SA) at the rates of 50, 100 and 200 mg L-1, cerium nitrate [Ce(NO3)3] at the rates of 20, 40, 80, and 200 μM, and control (distilled water). The results revealed that the flowers treated with 40 μM Ce(NO3)3 and those treated with 100 mg L-1 SA had the longest vase life of 15.42 and 15.20 days, respectively. Also, these treatments were most effective in improving water uptake, reducing microbial load at the stem end, and enhancing petals’ protein content. The lowest malondialdehyde (18.65 nmol g-1fresh weight) was related to the treatment of 40 μM Ce(NO3)3 and 100 mg L-1 SA. These treatments showed the lowest polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, too. The activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and peroxidase (POD) antioxidant enzymes was significantly higher in the flowers treated with 40 μM Ce(NO3)3 and 100 mg L-1 SA. The treatment of 200 mg L-1 SA had negative effects on all the recorded traits. So, it can be concluded that the treatment of cut lisianthus flowers with 40 μM Ce(NO3)3 and 100 mg L-1 SA can prolong their postharvest longevity by reducing lipid peroxidation and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes.

Trace Ethylene Sensing via Wacker Oxidation.

Ethylene is a dynamic plant hormone, and its temporal monitoring can be used to glean insight into plant health and status. However, the real-time distributed detection of ethylene at trace levels under ambient conditions remains a challenge. We report a single-walled carbon nanotube-based chemiresistor catalyst combination that can detect ppb levels of ethylene in air. Cycling between Pd(II) and Pd(0) via Wacker oxidation with a nitrite cocatalyst imparts response discrimination driven by the chemoselectivity of the chemical transformation. Sensitivity is controlled by a combination of the chemical reaction efficiency and the n-doping strength of the Pd(0) species generated in situ. The covalent functionalization of the carbon nanotube sidewall with pyridyl ligands drastically improves the device sensitivity via enhanced n-doping. The utility of this ethylene sensor is demonstrated in the monitoring of senescence in red carnations and purple lisianthus flowers.

Growth and quality of lisianthus [Eustoma grandiflorum (Shinn.)] cultivated in rice husk substrates in troughs with leaching recirculation

This study aimed to evaluate the growth and quality of lisianthus cultivated in different rice husk substrates. The evaluated substrates were: carbonized rice husk (CRH; 100%); raw rice husk (RRH; 100%); CRH (70%) + S10 Beifort® commercial organic compost (30%); and RRH (70%) + S10 Beifort® commercial organic compost (30%). Plant dry mass (DM) production and partitioning, plant leaf area and shoot/root DM ratio were analyzed. Quality parameters of the flower stems were also evaluated (length; diameter and number of flowers and buds). The RRH substrate at 100% reduced plant growth and prevented flower development. This modified dry mass partitioning among the plant organs. The substrates RRH + S10 and CRH provided quality flower stems. Thus, both substrates can be used to produce cut lisianthus flowers in recirculating nutrient systems. However, the RRH + S10 substrate stood out because it increased plant growth. This result is ascribed to the improvement of the physical and chemical properties of substrate RRH + S10 as a result of the presence of both the organic compost, which benefited the water holding capacity, and the RRH, which guaranteed high porosity to the substrate.

Successful floral-dipping transformation of post-anthesis lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) flowers.

The adaptation of the Agrobacterium-mediated floral-dipping technique is limited, to date, to a small number of plants. In this paper, we present the efficient transformation of one of the leading plants in the cut flower industry, lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum). This method is approximately 18months shorter than the known tissue culture-based transformation. The Excalibur Pink cultivar and two additional breeding lines, X-1042 and X-2541, were transformed using three different marker genes (benzyl alcohol acetyltransferase (BEAT) originating from Clarkia breweri, the feedback-insensitive bacterial gene AroG*, and the empty pART27 vector expressing a kanamycin-resistance cassette (nptII)). Genomic transformation was successful in all tested cases with transformation efficiency ranked from 0.2 to 2.9%, which is well in the range of results from Arabidopsis studies. Unlike Arabidopsis, in which floral-dipping transformation was efficient only at a pre-anthesis stage before ovary sealing, lisianthus flowers were transformed when dipping occurred 4days pre-anthesis or 3-5days post-anthesis with 1.5 and 3.7% efficiencies, respectively. Post-anthesis transformation occurred when the flower ovaries were sealed. Flower dipping of Excalibur Pink flowers with fluorescent Agrobacterium containing a GFP marker gene demonstrated Agrobacterium entrance into the sealed flower ovary through the open stigma and style tube. In this study, we demonstrated floral-dipping transformation of a commercial plant, lisianthus Excalibur Pink, occurring after sealing of the ovaries, probably via the stigma and wide open style tunnel.

Endogenous hydrogen gas delays petal senescence and extends the vase life of lisianthus cut flowers

Exogenous hydrogen-rich water (HRW) improves vase life and quality of cut flowers, but the effects of endogenous hydrogen gas (H2) are not known. During the vase of cut lisianthus flowers, endogenous H2 concentrations decreased and redox homeostasis was impaired. The supplementation with HRW containing 0.078 mmol L−1 H2 blocked, but 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCPIP; a putative inhibitor of H2 synthesis) increased, endogenous H2 production. Senescence of cut flowers was delayed by H2, but accelerated by DCPIP. Also, decreased vase life by DCPIP was blocked by H2 administration. These beneficial roles of H2 were associated with less lipid peroxidation, and the increased activities of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, and catalase. Compared with DCPIP alone, the soluble protein, total chlorophyll, and proline contents were elevated when H2 and DCPIP were added together. Overall, endogenous H2 prolongs vase life of lisianthus cut flowers in part by maintaining redox homeostasis.

Eustomabreeding, interspecific hybridization and cytogenetics

The development of novel ornamental cultivars requires phenotypic and genetic variation. Interspecific hybridization is an important tool to achieve this variation. Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinner, commonly known as lisianthus, has gained importance among ornamental crops, as cut-flower or potted plant, due to the shape of its flowers, which after several years of breeding resembles those of the rose; however, the color of lisianthus flowers ranges from white to purple, including greenish, rose and blue, and many forms with colored eyes, rings and brushes. The genus is endemic to America, and it distributes from the southern United States to Central America, including the Caribbean islands. E. grandiflorum is restricted to the southern United States and to northern Mexico. E. exaltatum (L.) Salisb. Ex G. Don distributes from central Mexico to Central America. Lisianthus breeding began around 50 years ago, and due to an indirect selection, many of the available cultivars nowadays, are susceptible to high temperatures, and if the plantlets are exposed to temperatures above 25°C they might rosette. In this respect, in order to achieve genetic variation and produce heat tolerant Eustoma cultivars, we conducted a breeding program, which includes interspecific hybridization among E. grandiflorum and E. exaltatum, the last being found in its natural habitat at an average temperature above 25°C during summer. Many crosses were performed in both directions, and F1, BC1 and S1 generations were achieved, showing outstanding ornamental traits, such as different color patterns, stem and flower size and heat tolerance. Furthermore, chromosome counts and chromosome identification were possible through in situ hybridization of rDNA and retrotransposon probes to metaphasic chromosomes in both species.

Antimicrobial and Physiological Effects of Silver and Silicon Nanoparticles on Vase Life of Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflora cv. Echo) Flowers

Increasing quality and vase life of cut flowers play vital role in flower production industry. . Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflora cv. Echo) has short vase life and it has been revealed that ethylene directly affect the initiation and process of senescence of petals. In this study, the effects of Silver and silicon nanoparticles with four concentrations of 0, 10, 20 and 40 mg L-1 with 4% sucrose as a support solution were evaluated on post-harvest life of ‘Cinderella Lime’ Lisianthus. The morphological and physiological parameters such as microbial population, flower vase life, relative fresh weight, solution uptake, total chlorophyll, ethylene and total dissolved solids were measured. Results revealed that all treatments extended the flower vase life when compared to control. The most effective treatment was the Highest concentration of nanoparticles (40 mg L-1). The average vase life of flowers was about 5 days in control (without any nano particle treatments) however; it reached to 17 days in flowers treated by 40 mg L-1 of both nanoparticles. Relative fresh weight, solution uptake, total chlorophyll, and total dissolved solids were also increased in the treated flowers, especially at higher concentrations. Microbial proliferations were not observed by application of both nanoparticles (Silver or Silicon) at 40 mg L-1 therefore this concentration was considered as the most effective level for both nanoparticles. Nano silver were more effective than silicon for reducing ethylene content. Overall the results suggest that silicon nanoparticle (40 mg L-1) is applicable as antimicrobial compound in combination with silver nanoparticles (40 mg L-1) as ethylene signaling inhibitor to increase the vase life of Lisianthus flowers commercially.

SOLUBLE PROTEINS AND POLYPHENOLOXIDASE ACTIVITY IN BUD FLOWERS, FLOWERS AND LEAVES OF COLD STORED LISIANTHUS

This study evaluated the activity of the enzyme polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and the content of soluble protein present in lisianthus bud flowers, flowers and leaves in room temperature (24±2°C) and pre-exposure cold chamber at 9±2°C for 24 h, in order to examine a possible correlation between these parameters and postharvest longevity of lisianthus flowers. After treatments, flowers were kept in pots with water, stored at room temperature and evaluated every three days until the end of their decorative life for biochemical analyzes. During the experimental period the enzymatic activity increased with the aging of the material, directly related to the high concentration of phenolics that were accumulated in injured tissue, providing browning, while soluble protein content slightly decreased. Thus, PPO enzyme activity can be applied for plant senescence evaluation, acting as a biochemical marker for product visual quality.

Effect of 8-Hydroxyquinoline Citrate, Sucrose and Peroxidase Inhibitors on Vase Life of Lisianthus (EUSTOMA GRANDIFLORUM L.) Cut Flowers

Abstract Cut lisianthus flowers have a short vase life, possibly due to blockage of xylem vessels. The effect of 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate, sucrose and peroxidase inhibitors on delaying senescence and extending vase life of cut lisianthus flowers was tested. The peroxidase inhibitors used in this experiment were catechol (CH) (5, 10, 15 mM) and p-phenylenediamine (PD) (5, 10, 15 mM). All vase solutions contained 200 mg-dm-3 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate (8-HQC) and 3% sucrose. 10 mM CH treatment was the most effective for vase life extension (13.3 days), increasing water uptake, and delaying fresh weight loss. The vase solution containing 10 mM CH significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and decreased peroxidase (POD) activities. Similarly, 10 mM PD increased anthocyanin content more than the other treat–ments. Protein degradation was significantly delayed by application of 5 mM PD. The malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation was reduced when CH at 5 mM and PD in 5 and 15 mM were added to the vase solution. Results indicated that peroxidase inhibitors in combination with 8-HQC and sucrose increase vase life of lisianthus by improving water uptake and delaying fresh weight loss.

Salicylic acid retards petal senescence in cut lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum ‘Miarichi Grand White’) flowers

The effect of exogenous salicylic acid (SA) on the vase life of cut lisianthus flowers was investigated. ‘Miarichi Grand White’ flowers were obtained from a commercial grower and were pulse-treated with a 0, 50, 100, 150 or 200 mg·L−1 SA solution containing 200 mg·L−1 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate (HQS) and 5% (w/v) sucrose for 18 hours. As compared to distilled water (DW) as the control, the greatest delay in petals senescence was obtained in cut flowers pulsed with 100 mg·L−1 SA. Vase life of flowers increased by 4.5 days in the above mentioned treatment. The characteristics such as water uptake (WUP), relative fresh weight (RFW), protein concentration, proline accumulation, and activities of lipoxygenase (LOX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured in the 0 and 100 mg·L−1 SA treatments over the period of vase life. The WUP and RFW were obviously greater in the SA-treated flowers than in the control. Degradation of protein and accumulation of proline during vase life was shown to be suppressed by 100 mg·L−1 SA. The activity of LOX was gradually increased with progressing flower senescence, while the activity of SOD was declined. The flowers which had been pulsed with 100 mg·L−1 SA exhibited lower LOX and a higher SOD activities. Overall, the results suggest that SA can increase the vase life of lisianthus cut flowers by improving the antioxidant system and reducing damages caused by oxidative stress during senescence.

Efficiency of Essential Oils, Citric Acid, Malic Aid and Nickel Reduced Ethylene Production and Extended Vase Life of Cut Lisianthus Flowers

Efficiency of Essential Oils, Citric Acid, Malic Aid and Nickel Reduced Ethylene Production and Extended Vase Life of Cut Lisianthus Flowers

Postharvest Life of Cut Lisianthus Flowers as Affected by Silicon, Malic Acid and Acetylsalicylic Acid

Postharvest Life of Cut Lisianthus Flowers as Affected by Silicon, Malic Acid and Acetylsalicylic Acid

EFFECTS OF SILVER THIOSULFATE TREATMENT ON POSTHARVEST LIFE OF CUT LISIANTHUS FLOWERS

The effects of postharvest silver thiosulfate (STS) treatments on physicochemical characteristics of four cut lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) cultivars ('Purple', 'White', 'Purple-Rim' and 'Pink-Rim') were investigated. Cut lisianthus flowers were pulse-treated with silver thiosulfate at 0, 0.5, 1 and 2 mM and for 24h at 22±2°C. The experiment was conducted in completely randomized designs with factorial arrangement and seven replications. The results of the experiment revealed that STS at all concentrations applied significantly (P>0.05) extended vase life of all cut lisianthus flowers compared to the control. No significant differences were found between STS concentrations in 'Purple', 'White' and 'Pink-Rim'. However, in 'Purple-Rim', STS at 1 and 2 mM significantly increased vase life of flowers compared to 0.5 mM STS treated flowers (Table 1). There were significant differences between cultivars in response to STS concentrations too. STS treated flowers at all concentrations maintained a higher relative fresh weight (RFW) in all cultivars. Solution uptake of STS treated flowers was more than control during the whole experiment.

Cultivo hidropônico de lisianto para flor de corte em sistema de fluxo laminar de nutrientes

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as características produtivas e comerciais do cultivo de quatro cultivares de lisianto (Eustoma grandiflorum) em três soluções nutritivas em sistema de fluxo laminar de nutrientes (NFT). Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 4x3, com três repetições. Os tratamentos foram compostos de quatro cultivares (Echo Champagne, Mariachi Pure White, Balboa Yellow e Ávila Blue Rim) e três soluções nutritivas (Teste, Steiner modificada e Barbosa). O sistema NFT é uma alternativa viável para o cultivo de lisianto nas soluções Barbosa e Teste. A cultivar Echo Champagne foi superior quanto ao ciclo, período em produção, altura da haste floral, número de folhas, diâmetro de botão e produção de massa fresca e seca, enquanto a cultivar Mariachi Pure White se destacou quanto ao período em produção. A cultivar Ávila Blue Rim apresentou maior período de produção, número de flores e produção de massa de matéria fresca e seca, enquanto a cultivar Balboa Yellow apresentou maior período em produção e diâmetro de botão.

Effect of Pesticide Mixtures in Controlling Western Flower Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Greenhouse managers mix together pesticides to broaden the spectrum of pest control and to reduce pesticide and labor costs. However, the efficacy of pesticide mixtures has not been well-documented. This study assesses how mixtures of commercially available insecticides and miticides in two, three, and four-way combinations affected the control of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande, in greenhouse experiments and in a laboratory bioassay. The pesticides screened in the greenhouse experiments and laboratory bioassay were spinosad, abamectin, bifenazate, azadirachtin and imidacloprid. Each pesticide was applied at the maximum label-recommended rate. In the greenhouse experiments, transvaal daisy (Gerbera jamesonii H. Bolus ex Hook. f) and lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum G. Don ex Sweet) flowers were infested with 25 adult western flower thrips (mixture of females and males). Flowers were then sprayed with the designated treatments. After 72 h, flowers were dissected to assess the numbers of live and dead western flower thrips. In the laboratory bioassay, chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev) leaf sections, treated with solutions of each pesticide and all possible combinations, were exposed to 15 adult western flower thrips. The numbers of live and dead western flower thrips were assessed after 48 h. For all three experiments, we were not able to identify any antagonistic pesticide combinations. All treatments with spinosad, including the individual application and pesticide mixtures, resulted in high mortality of western flower thrips. Our data suggest that combinations of spinosad with the other pesticides tested do not affect the efficacy of spinosad in controlling western flower thrips. This information is important to greenhouse managers who wish to mix pesticides and still control western flower thrips in addition to the other plant-feeding arthropods found in greenhouses.