Postharvest Quality 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.

Melatonin Preserves the Postharvest Quality of Cut Roses through Enhancing the Antioxidant System.

The vase life of cut rose is relatively short, therefore; preserving its postharvest quality via eco-friendly approaches is of particular economic importance. From the previous literature, despite melatonin (MT) plays diverse important roles in the postharvest quality maintenance, its impact on preserving the postharvest quality of cut flowers is really scarce. This research therefore was undertaken to find out the possibility of exogenous MT as an eco-friendly preservative to extend the vase life of cut roses. The flowering stems of Rosa hybrida cv. ‘First Red’ were pulsed in MT solutions at 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mM for 30 min and then transferred to distilled water for evaluation. The vase life was significantly prolonged and relative water content was considerably maintained due to MT application compared to the control, more so with 0.2 mM concentration which nearly doubled the vase life (1.9-fold) higher than the control. SEM investigation showed that MT treatment reduced the stomatal aperture in lower epidermis which was widely opened in control flowers. MT treatment significantly increased the phenol content, glutathione (GSH) content and CAT, APX and GR enzyme activities compared to untreated flowers. Additionally, the radical scavenging capacity in MT-treated flowers was considerably higher than that of control and therefore MT treatment reduced H2O2 production and lipid peroxidation, which altogether reflected in membrane stability maintenance.

Sucrose + 8-HQC improves the postharvest quality of lily and rose cut flowers by regulating ROS-scavenging systems and ethylene release

The objective of the present investigation was to study the effects of sucrose + 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate (8-HQC) on the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging systems and ethylene release during the vase life of cut lilies (ethylene-insensitive type) and roses (ethylene-sensitive type). ROS production and the degree of lipid peroxidation increased with the senescence of cut lily and rose flowers. The treatment with sucrose + 8-HQC enhanced ROS-scavenging abilities, decreased Superoxide radical (O2.−) release and mitigated the oxidative damage marked by lower malondialdehyde (MDA) level, although the up-regulated extent of each antioxidant enzyme was not exactly the same in both cut flower species. The treatment of sucrose + 8-HQC decreased the level of proline in cut rose, which suggested water stress of cut rose was alleviated. On the other hand, the increase of proline in cut lily due to sucrose + 8-HQC was elaborated. The preservation effect induced by sucrose + 8-HQC was involved in the regulation of ethylene production in ethylene-sensitive cut flowers, not in ethylene-insensitive cut flowers. From the results of ethylene and proline analysis, it can be found that there are differences in the regulation mechanism of sucrose on the fresh-keeping of the two cut flowers, but the treatment with sucrose and 8-HQC can improve the postharvest quality of cut flowers with different sensitivity to ethylene by enhancing ROS-scavenging activities and alleviating lipid peroxidation.

Influence of pulsing and wet cold storage on the vase water microbial profiles and overall quality of cut gladioli

Abstract Occlusion of the stem vasculature by microorganisms that proliferate in the vase water, or the plant vessels, leads to water stress symptoms that reduce postharvest quality of cut flowers. This study aimed to determine the effects of pulsing and wet-cold storage on the microbial profiles in cut Gladiolus grandiflorus L. cv. Fado. Pulsing treatments of 600-ppm 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate plus 5% sucrose solution versus distilled water were administered before wet cold storage periods of 0-5 days in cut Gladiolus, previously grown from corms under open field. A two-by-six factorial experiment embedded in a completely randomized design with four replicates was accomplished. Proc GLM in two-way Anova was adopted, and the means were separated using Tukey’s test at a 5% level of significance. The pulsing treatment of 600 ppm 8-HQS plus 5% sucrose, the wet cold storage duration and their interactive effects significantly (P˂0.0209; ˂0.0001 and ˂0.0001 respectively) affected the means of the colony-forming units in the vase water of cut Gladiolus at senescence. The prolonged vase life of cut gladioli spikes was associated with decreased microbial proliferation as influenced by pulsing and wet storage duration of up to 4 days. Data generated from this study will improve existing technologies related to the quality and market value of this Gladiolus cultivar.

Effect of oxalic acid on vase life and antioxidative activities of ‘Mero Star’ cut lily flowers

Lily (Lilium L. hybrids) is sub-tropical cut flower that can be grown in open place or in green house and has consumer demand in local as well as in offshore markets. Short vase life, postharvest decay of flowering petals, activities of oxidative enzymes, malondialdehyde contents, electrolyte leakage and low water ratio are the main problems in marketing of cut lilies. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of oxalic acid (OA) treatments on vase life (12 days) and postharvest quality of ‘Mero Star’ cut lily flowers. The flowering stems were placed in 2, 4 and 6% aqueous solution of OA for 12 days at 20±2 °C with 70±5% relative humidity. Flowers placed in 6% OA solution exhibited longest vase life and flower diameter with higher relative water content and increased fresh weight and reduced flower decay. Reduced malondialdehyde contents and electrolyte leakage with higher activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase enzymes were also noted in 6% OA-treated flowers. In conclusion, exogenous postharvest application of 6% OA extended vase life and maintained postharvest quality of cut flowers by reducing electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde contents with higher antioxidative enzymes activities.

Chemical preservation for increasing shelf life of Chrysanthemum indicum L. cut flower

Chrysanthemum indicum L. is the second most important ornamental and marketable flower from Asteraceae family in the world. Vase life is a main factor for evaluating the post-harvest quality of cut flowers that determine their marketability. Chrysanthemum is one of the top most cut flowers sold in international flower markets. The post-harvest study was carried out on chrysanthemum cut flower to observe the effect of different chemical preservatives solution for vase life. Here, the different chemical preservative treatments consisting of sucrose, salicylic acid, citric acid, aluminum sulphate and their combination were used to increase the vase life and the petal discoloration of chrysanthemum cut flowers. It was observed that all the preservatives treatments (expect T3) extend the vase life and reduced petal discoloration over the control. The result showed in containing T2 [sugar (4%) + salicylic acid (100ppm)] and T6 [citric acid (150ppm) + aluminum sulphate (500ppm) +7% sucrose] resulted in maximum vase life 18 days and 16 days in room temperature and reduced leaf browning more than control. Cite as Dhrumi Patel, Rachana Suthar, & Hiteshkumar A. Solanki. (2021). Chemical preservation for increasing shelf life of Chrysanthemum indicum L. cut flower. Research and Reviews: Journal of Environmental Sciences, 3(1), 1–7. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4668605

Tools for Cut Flower for Export: Is It a Genuine Challenge from Growers to Customers?

Currently, the cut flower market seems to be an export revenue in the world trade of the flower industry. The amount of exported cut flowers is impressive with increased production in various countries, especially in Korea. In the Fourth Industrial Revolution, automatic technologies are continuing to develop agricultural effective tools in the challenge of digital innovation. Thus, the low production costs set up in the field, greenhouse, or smart farm set up, and the short time of harvest must be considered within a few months. The postharvest quality of cut flowers presents freshness and long vase life, and the tools for postharvest handling are expected to optimize these. This review highlights the most important factors improving postharvest quality of cut flowers, the potential standard applicable techniques for commercial handling outlines of cut flower vase life, and recommendations for improving postharvest handling in the flower industry.

Effects of air-exposure time on water relations, longevity, and aquaporin-related gene expression of cut roses

In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of air-exposure treatment on water relations, longevity, and aquaporin-related gene expression of cut ‘Wild Look’ roses (Rosa hybrida L.). After harvest, cut rose flowers were placed directly in the tap water (exposed to air for 0 h) or exposed to air for 1, 2, or 3 h and then placed in tap water to recover. We determined the effects of air-exposure time on vase life, water relations, morphological and physiological characteristics, bacterial contamination, and on the expression of aquaporin-related gene of cut flowers. Our results revealed that cut flowers exposed to air for 0 h exhibited a highest postharvest quality. Exposure to air for 3 h significantly decreased the postharvest quality of cut flowers cultivated year-round owing to the early failure of water relations, such as maintaining a positive water balance for a short duration, high transpiration under dark conditions, and bacterial proliferation. Notably, in autumn or winter, exposure to air for 1 and 2 h also decreased vase life of cut roses. Exposure to air for 0 h reduced bacterial population at the basal of cut stem ends, decreased water stress, and maintained leaf chlorophyll fluorescence of cut roses cultivated year-round. Exposure to air for 0 h prevented water stress in cut flowers and increased the transcript levels of Rh-PIP2;1 and Rh-TIP in petals, resulting in maintained cell turgor of petals and improved flower diameter of cut roses. Understanding the relationship between air-exposed time and water relations, longevity, and aquaporin-related gene expression of cut roses may help to develop techniques and distribution systems to improve the vase life of cut roses.

Dose Effect of Phytosanitary Irradiation on the Postharvest Quality of Cut Flowers

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of electron beam irradiation on the postharvest quality of cut flowers. Cut flowers were irradiated with electron beam at 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1,000, and 2,000 Gy with a 10 MeV linear electron beam accelerator to evaluate their irradiation tolerance. Postharvest quality was determined by monitoring fresh weight loss, flower longevity, flower diameter, flowering rate, visual quality of flowers and leaves, and chlorophyll content. Cut flowers showed a radiation-induced damage with increasing the irradiation dose. Flower longevity and fresh weight of cut flowers decreased when the irradiation dose was increased. Flower bud opening was also inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. The effective irradiation doses for 10% reduction of postharvest quality (ED10) values were 144.4, 451.6, and 841.2 Gy in the ‘Medusa’ lily, ‘Montezuma’ carnation, and ‘Rosina White’ eustoma, respectively. Although tolerance of cut flowers to electron beam irradiation vary according to species, cultivars, or maturity stage conditions, it is conceivable that ‘Montezuma’ carnation and ‘Rosina White’ eustoma could be tolerated and maintained overall postharvest quality up to 400 Gy, the generic irradiation dose approved by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) for postharvest phytosanitary treatments. Key words: electron beam irradiation, flower export, irradiation tolerance, quality evaluation, quarantine

Relationship Between Air Exposure Time and Water Relations of Cut Roses

After harvest, Dolcetto cut roses were immediately exposed to air for 0 (E-0), 1 (E-1), 2 (E-2), and 3 h (E-3) and then placed under tap water for recovery. We determined the effect of air exposure time on vase life, water relations, and gene expression of cut flowers. The results revealed that E-0 treatment exhibits a higher postharvest quality of cut flowers than others. E-3 treatment significantly decreased the vase l ife of c ut r oses d ue t o an early f ailure o f water relations, such as larger stomatal size, higher transpiration, shorter time maintaining positive water balance, and the bacterial proliferation. E-0 treatment significantly decreased water stress, maintained leaf chlorophyll fluorescence ratios, and extended the vase life of cut roses. The decrease in water stress of E-0 treated flowers may increase the expression of Rh-PIP2;1 and Rh-TIP in rose petals, resulting in maintained cell turgor and increased flower diameter of cut flowers. These results recommend that a non-exposed harvest can be used for the harvest s tage to improve the postharvest quality of cut flowers. Understanding the relationship between air exposure time and water relations of cut flowers will significantly help in developing distribution systems for assuring cut roses quality.

Oxygenated Phosphine Fumigation for Control of Light Brown Apple Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Eggs on Cut-Flowers.

Light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Walker), eggs were subjected to oxygenated phosphine fumigation treatments under 70% oxygen on cut flowers to determine efficacy and safety. Five cut flower species: roses, lilies, tulips, gerbera daisy, and pompon chrysanthemums, were fumigated in separate groups with 2,500 ppm phosphine for 72 h at 5°C. Egg mortality and postharvest quality of cut flowers were determined after fumigation. Egg mortalities of 99.7-100% were achieved among the cut flower species. The treatment was safe to all cut flowers except gerbera daisy. A 96-h fumigation treatment with 2,200 ppm phosphine of eggs on chrysanthemums cut flowers also did not achieve complete control of light brown apple moth eggs. A simulation of fumigation in hermetically sealed fumigation chambers with gerbera daisy showed significant accumulations of carbon dioxide and ethylene by the end of 72-h sealing. However, oxygenated phosphine fumigations with carbon dioxide and ethylene absorbents did not reduce the injury to gerbera daisy, indicating that it is likely that phosphine may directly cause the injury to gerbera daisy cut flowers. The study demonstrated that oxygenated phosphine fumigation is effective against light brown apple moth eggs. However, it may not be able to achieve the probit9 quarantine level of control and the treatment was safe to most of the cut flower species.

Effects of phosphine fumigation on postharvest quality of four Chinese cut flower species

Chrysanthemum (White, Yellow, and Daisy), carnation (Master and Barbara), rose (Carola, Black magic, Diana, Champagne, and Avalanche), and Chinese rose (Golden Medallion, Diplomat, Marina, and Athena) are the main Chinese cut flower species produced for exportation. Cut flowers infested with quarantine pests need methyl bromide (MB) fumigation to satisfy phytosanitary requirements of importing countries. Phosphine (PH3) is a potential alternative to methyl bromide. Development of phosphine as a phytosanitary treatment requires information regarding its phytotoxicity to cut flowers. Therefore phosphine fumigation at 24°C and 2°C was investigated to evaluate its effects on the postharvest quality of cut flowers. Phosphine fumigation for 6h with dosages as high as 12.2mgL−1 at 24°C produced no adverse effects on flower color, diameter, vase life, and other damage indices (DI) for all cultivars. However, different adverse effects on some cultivars were observed after 12d fumigation at 2°C. There were significant changes for color values of Carola, Black magic, Diana, Champagne, Avalanche, and Diplomat; significant decrease in flower diameter and vase life of Diana, Champagne, and Avalanche at 3.04mgL−1, white Chrysanthemum and Diploma at 1.52 and 3.04mgL−1; significant increase in DI of Champagne and Avalanche at 3.04mgL−1, and White chrysanthemum, Diana, and Diploma at 1.52 and 3.04mgL−1. In combination with information on phosphine toxicity to insect pests at ambient and low temperatures in the literature, it is suggested that phosphine fumigation could be a viable replacement of MB fumigation for quarantine treatment of these four cut flower species.

β-Cyclodextrin-based nanosponges improve 1-MCP efficacy in extending the postharvest quality of cut flowers

Investigations of the effect of the β-cyclodextrin-based nanosponge-1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) complex (β-CD-NS complex) on six ethylene-sensitive cut flowers were performed. Anemone coronaria L. multicolor, Ranunculus asiaticus L. ‘Minou Abrown’, Helianthus annuus L. ‘Sunrich Orange’, Rosa hybrida L. ‘Jupiter’, Paeonia lactiflora L. ‘Sarah Bernhardt’, and Papaver nudicaule L. multicolor underwent four different treatments: a vase placement in a suspension of β-CD-NS complex (0.25μLL−1), exposure to gaseous 1-MCP (0.25μLL−1) for 6h, exposure to exogenous ethylene (1±0.2μLL−1) for 24h, and placement in tap water.β-Cyclodextrin-based nanosponges proved to enhance 1-MCP efficacy in all the tested species. According to the species, senescence symptoms were decreased or delayed. Anemone and poppy had a longer esthetic flower quality and vase life, and a reduced petal abscission. In ranunculus, β-CD-NS complex improved longevity. In sunflower, it also maintained longer chlorophyll leaf content and cut flower ornamental value. Peony opened more slowly and rose maintained its ornamental quality longer than 1-MCP treated flowers. This study opens possibilities for commercial use of the β-CD-NS complex in the floriculture industry.

MANEJO Y ALMACENAMIENTO EN SECO Y HÚMEDO DE CUATRO CULTIVARES DE ROSA DE CORTE

The effects of dry handling and the use of hydration solution (HydraflorTM) on the postharvest quality of cut flowers of four rose cultivars (Freedom, Opera, Red alfa and Red vicer) were assessed. After treatment, the stems were stored at 4 °C and 90 % relative humidity for 10 and 20 days, after which they were placed in a vase containing tap water or Crystal ClearTM preservative solution and then evaluated for fresh weight, flower opening, water uptake and vase life. The results show that vase life increases in dry-handled stems compared with those treated with HydraflorTM. The storage period significantly affected flower opening, which fell by 17.2 % with the change from 10 to 20 days of storage. Finally, dry handling is recommended for the rose stems of the cultivars evaluated, as it reduces costs and maintains the end quality of the flower.

Quality management of cut carnation 'Tempo' with 1- MCP

Water relation and chlorophyll content are two important factors on the postharvest quality of cut flowers. 1-MCP (1–methylcyclopropene), as a gaseous inhibitor of ethylene action, significantly delayed the wilting of cut carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.). The effects of 1-MCP depends on concentration, time duration and temperature. In this study, the effect of different 1-MCP concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 nl l-1) and time durations (3, 6 and 9 h) on the vaselife, water uptake, loss of fresh weight and chlorophyll index of cut carnation 'Tempo' which is an ethylene-sensitive flower, were evaluated. The effects of 1-MCP concentrations and interaction between 1-MCP concentration and time duration on the vaselife, water uptake, loss of chlorophyll index and loss of fresh weight, were significant at 1% levels of probability. Also the effect of time duration on the loss of chlorophyll index and loss of fresh weight was significant at 5% and on the water uptake was significant at 1% of probability. Treatment with 60 nl l-1 1-MCP for 3 h with 16.47 days vaselife, 2.57 ml g-1 fresh weight, 2.41 ml g-1 water uptake and 2.667 loss of chlorophyll index was better than other treatments.

Influence of 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate and sucrose treatments on the post-harvest quality of cut flowers of Strelitzia reginae and Hippeastrum vittatum

This investigation was carried out to study the effect of 100, 200 and 300 ppm 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate (8-HQS) and 5 and 10% sucrose treatments on the vase life and post-harvest quality of cut flowers of Strelitzia reginae Ait. and Hippeastrum vittatum Herb. cv. Apple Blossome. All possible combinations of 8-HQS and sucrose were tested. The treatments were applied as holding solutions, and control flowers were held in distilled water till the end of the experiment. All the treatments significantly increased the vase life and number of open florets of Strelitzia reginae cut flowers compared to the control. Applying 8-HQS and sucrose treatments in both seasons improved the vase life and floret longevity of Hippeastrum vittatum cut flowers. In addition, the percentage of fresh weight gain from the initial weight and the carbohydrate content were also enhanced in both cut flower crops. In order to obtain the highest post-harvest quality of Strelitzia reginae Ait. and Hippeastrum vittatum Herb. cv. Apple Blossome cut flowers, treatment with 200 ppm 8-HQS + 10% sucrose was recommended.

Differential effects of temperature on stem length and xylem vessel length distribution in Zinnia elegans

SummaryWater transport in vascular plants depends on the hydraulic conductance of the xylem system, which is dependent on the anatomical properties, number, diameter, and length of the xylem vessels. The ability to transport water through their stems influences not only the growth of many horticultural crops, but also the post-harvest quality of cut flowers. In this study, we investigated the effects of different average daily temperatures (ADT) and the difference between day-time (DT) and night-time (NT) temperature (DIF) on stem size, the length of xylem vessels within the stem, and the length of individual vessel elements within a vessel, in Zinnia elegans. Two Z. elegans cultivars, ‘Envy’ and ‘Purple Prince’, were grown in climate chambers under all nine combinations of three DT and three NT temperatures (viz. 17ºC, 21ºC, or 25ºC). An increase in ADT was positively correlated with the lengths of the stems, internodes, and xylem vessels in both cultivars. However, the lengths of the xylem vessels were influenced more strongly than the lengths of the stems. Increasing the ADT from 17ºC to 25ºC increased stem lengths by approx. 15%, but more than doubled the lengths of the xylem vessels. The increase in xylem vessel lengths was only partly (< 10%) due to an increase in the lengths of individual vessel members, which implies that temperature (ADT) had a greater influence on the number of fused vessel elements per xylem vessel. A negative DIF (i.e., lower DT than NT temperatures) decreased stem lengths and a positive DIF increased stem lengths. DIF had no effect on xylem vessel length, probably because, other than in stem length, xylem vessel length was positively correlated with NT temperature.