Quality Of Cut Flowers Research Articles

Transcriptome Analysis of Carbohydrate Metabolism Genes and Molecular Regulation of Sucrose Transport Gene LoSUT on the Flowering Process of Developing Oriental Hybrid Lily 'Sorbonne' Bulb.

The quality of Lily cut flower was determined by the quality of bulbs. During the process of vernalization and flower bud differentiation, sugar massively accumulated in the bulb, which influenced the bulb development. However, the details of sugar genes’ regulation mechanism for these processes were not fully understood. Here, morphological physiology, transcriptomes and gene engineering technology were used to explore this physiological change. Seventy-two genes of 25 kinds of sugar metabolism-related genes were annotated after re-analyzing transcriptome data of Oriental hybrid lily ‘Sorbonne’ bulbs, which were generated on Hiseq Illumina 2000. The results showed that these genes were closely related to lily bulb vernalization and development. Combining gene expression pattern with gene co-expression network, five genes (Contig5669, Contig13319, Contig7715, Contig1420 and Contig87292) were considered to be the most potential signals, and the sucrose transporter gene (SUT) was the focus of this study. Carbohydrate transport pathway and genes’ regulation mechanism were inferred through a physiological and molecular test. SUT seemed to be the sugar sensor that could sense and regulate sugar concentration, which might have effects on other genes, such as FT, LFY and so on. LoSUT2 and LoSUT4 genes were cloned from Oriental hybrid lily ‘Sorbonne’ by RACE, which was the first time for these genes in Oriental hybrid lily ‘Sorbonne’. The physiological properties of these proteins were analyzed such as hydrophobicity and phosphorylation. In addition, secondary and tertiary structures of proteins were predicted, which indicated the two proteins were membrane proteins. Their cellular locations were verified through positioning the experiment of the fluorescent vector. They were highly expressed in cells around phloem, which illustrated the key role of these genes in sugar transport. Furthermore, transient expression assays showed that overexpressed LoSUT2 and LoSUT4 in Arabidopsis thaliana bloomed significantly earlier than the wild type and the expression of FT, SOC1 and LFY were also affected by LoSUT2 and LoSUT4, which indicated that LoSUT2 and LoSUT4 may regulate plants flowering time.

Production of high-Quality Ornithogalum thyrsoides cut flowers in one year from in vitro propagated plantlets influenced by plant growth regulators

The objective of this study was to investigate the optimum concentration of plant growth regulators for explants cultured in vitro to produce inflorescences of Ornithogalum thyrsoides ‘Chesapeake Starlight’ forcing directly from in vitro propagules in one year. Two sizes of explants (2 × 2 and 2 × 4 mm) were cultured on a Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0, 1.35, 2.7, or 5.4 μM 2-(1-Naphthyl)acetic acid (NAA) and with 0, 3.3, 6.6, or 13.2 μM N-(phenylmethyl)-7H-purin-6-amine (BA); and with 0, 0.675, 1.35, or 2.7 μM NAA and with 0, 2.2, 4.4, or 8.8 μM BA at 21 °C. Explants propagated in a Petri dish were directly transplanted to 6.3 cm pots as a clump without separating plantlets from the explant (propagule), then transplanted to a tray, and forced at 16.5/16 °C (day/night). The number of days to flowering from the first and second scape (FS and SS, respectively) from the first, second, or third plantlets (FP, SP, and TP, respectively) formed from the clump of one explant was counted from the date of transplanting to pots, and scape length and diameter were recorded. Criteria for high-quality cut flowers were (1) flowering around 200–215 days in FS/FP and 230–245 days in SS/FP with a flowering rate of 90–100% in FS/FP and 70–80% in SS/FP, (2) a scape length greater than 50 cm in FS/FP and greater than 55 cm in SS/FP, and (3) a scape diameter above 8 mm. Based on these criteria, the optimum concentrations of NAA and BA were determined. High quality O. thyrsoides cut flowers flowering after 195–201 days, a flowering rate of 78–100% in FS/FP, and three or four scapes of SS/FP and FS/SP can be successfully produced from 2 × 2 mm or 2 × 4 mm explants cultured in MS medium supplemented with 1.35–2.7 μM NAA and 4.4–6.6 μM BA. This demonstrates that quality cut flowers can be produced in less than one year without separating plantlets grown in vitro as one clump which saves labor. Developing two scapes from each of two first plantlets may suggest competition for reserves of metabolites/endogenous plant hormones.

Effect of absorbent granules coated by potassium permanganate on postharvest quality of rose (Rosa hybrida) cultivars.

Enrichment of zeolite and sponge as ethylene absorbent with potassium permanganate was theidea of this study to provide an efficient way to scavenge ethylene during storage period ofthree Rosa hybrida cv. ‘Shiraz’, ‘Avalanche’, and ‘After-party’ cut flowers. A preliminaryexperiment revealed that two mL of potassium permanganate solution (1 mM) was enough toenrich two grams of zeolite and two cm3 of sponge. Additionally, one μL L-1 of externalethylene also found to be effective on induction of quality damage to certain cut flowers ofrose cultivars, which were selected for injection in each isolated container for furtherevaluations. The treatments used in this study included control (without absorbent), enrichedzeolite or sponge, enriched zeolite or sponge + ethylene (one μL L-1). The quality of flowers,weight, number of dropped petals, electrical conductivity of vase solution, ethyleneconcentration in the container and petal anthocyanins evaluated through/the end ofexperiment. Results revealed that change or reduction in the quality parameters were minor(more maintenance or stability of quality was achieved) with enriched zeolite and thenenriched sponge compared to the control. Enriched zeolite could even maintain the quality ofcut flowers at the level of control under external ethylene injection superior to enrichedsponge treatment. ‘Avalanche’ and ‘Shiraz’ cultivars figured as the most sensitive andresistant cultivars to the evaluated level of external ethylene concentration, respectively.

高知県のトルコギキョウ冬季出荷栽培における二酸化炭素施用が収穫時期および切り花品質に及ぼす影響

高知県のトルコギキョウ冬季出荷栽培における二酸化炭素施用が収穫時期および切り花品質に及ぼす影響

Evaluation of water requirement, commercial quality, and yield response factor of gladiolus produced with automated irrigation in different growing periods

ABSTRACT Water management and meteorological conditions during the cropping phase play an essential role in maintaining the commercial quality of cut flowers. This study evaluates water requirement, sensitivity to water deficit, and commercial quality of gladiolus ‘Amsterdam’ produced with automated irrigation in different growing periods. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with five replicates and consisted of the growing period factors (winter/spring 2018 and autumn/winter 2019) and the irrigation level factors (45% - L1, 60% - L2, 80% - L3, and 100% - L4 of crop water requirement). An automatic irrigation controller was used for irrigation management. At the harvest point, we evaluated the stems for the diameter, number of flowers, spike length, and floral stem length. We also evaluated stomatal conductance, leaf area, and duration of phenological phases on degree-days. The application of 100% crop water requirement using an automatic irrigation controller in the autumn/winter cycle results in better commercial classification. The treatment with 45% of the crop water requirement extended the total duration of the cycle. In conclusion, flower stems of better commercial classification are obtained with 100% of crop water requirement during the autumn/winter cycle.

Effects of Temperature and Timing/Duration of Night Cooling Treatments on Flowering Time and Quality of Cut Flowers of Standard Type Carnation (<i>Dianthus caryophyllus</i>)

Effects of Temperature and Timing/Duration of Night Cooling Treatments on Flowering Time and Quality of Cut Flowers of Standard Type Carnation (<i>Dianthus caryophyllus</i>)

Rose Quality as Affected by Higher Air Temperatures Resulting from Poly-Tunnel Height in a Subtropical Region

Highlights Interior temperatures increased with decreasing poly-tunnel height. In subtropical regions, high interior temperatures of poly-tunnels could degrade quality of rose-cut flower. Stunted growth of rose plants because of higher temperatures could lead to mis-interpretations of nutrient deficiency. Abstract . High temperature is a major constraint to plant production in many regions of the world. Observations indicate that poly-tunnel structure design can influence interior temperature, and in turn determine the quality of cut flowers, including the length of the stems, the leaf biomass, and nutrient uptake. In this study, interior temperature and cut-flower quality of roses were assessed in five poly-tunnels with eave heights ranging from 2 to 4 m. Interior temperatures from 11:00-15:00 h in the hottest months of July and August were monitored. Rose (Rosa hybrida ‘Peach Avalanche’) was cultivated in these poly-tunnels with the same cultivation regimes. Higher interior temperatures were observed in poly-tunnels with lower eave heights. Leaf membrane thermal stability (MTS) values were negatively correlated with higher interior temperatures, indicating that the photosynthetic system of plant leaves was impaired. Stem length and mass were decreased with higher temperature by over 50%, while leaf biomass decreased by 25% in the poly-tunnel with eave height of 2 m in comparison with that of 4 m. Nitrogen concentration in plant leaves increased with higher temperature, whereas the patterns of other elements were not associated with different poly-tunnel eave heights. These results indicate that poly-tunnel interior high temperatures that were associated with lower eave heights are a major constraint for commercialized rose-cut flower production in this region, and improved design of poly-tunnels could increase production. Keywords: Cut flower, Membrane thermal stability, Stem length, Stem mass, Yunnan Province.

Effect of seed priming on growth, flowering and cut flower quality of carnation

Carnation is one of the most important commercially grown flowers in the world. It has wide variations inshape and colours as well as good keeping quality. The present experiment was conducted to study the effectsof seed priming through various chemicals such as salicylic acid, glycine betaine, potassium nitrate, ascorbicacid and hydropriming on growth and floral quality attributes of carnation. The seeds were pre-treated withdifferent priming agents (salicylic acid 100 mg/L, glycine betaine 1536 mg/L, potassium nitrate 10 g/L, ascorbicacid 50 mg/L, and water) for 24 hours and then sown in clay pots. Seeds without treatment were served ascontrol. Sowing was done on 21-10-2014 during year 1 and on 20-10-15 during year 2. Seeds were sown inpots and after two months of sowing, seedlings were transplanted into clay pots till flowering. Hydropriming(water treatment) resulted in the maximum seed germination (43.04%) and took minimum days to initiate firstflower bud (87 days). Salicylic acid treated seeds resulted in the plants with delayed flower bud initiation andhad maximum flower stalk length (3.08 cm), root length (21.89 cm), fresh weight of foliage (54.35 g), dry weightof foliage (16.66 g), fresh weight of roots (3.97 g), dry weight of roots (1.64 g), total biomass per plant (52.84g), and longer length of growth cycle (177.5 days). Potassium nitrate treatment showed the maximum freshweight per flower (4.24 g), dry weight per flower (0.95 g) and flower stalk diameter (10.44 mm). The minimumfresh and dry weights per flower were recorded (2.750, 68 g respectively) in unprimed seeds.

Vase Life and Quality of Cut Flower by Wet Solution according to Shipping Period and Temperature in <italic>Dendranthema grandiflorum</italic> ‘Jinba’

Vase Life and Quality of Cut Flower by Wet Solution according to Shipping Period and Temperature in <italic>Dendranthema grandiflorum</italic> ‘Jinba’

Effect of some chemicals and essential oil extracts on keeping quality and vase life of cut carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.)

This experiment was carried out during two successive seasons of (2017 and 2018) on Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus, L.) cv. Big Mama cut flowers at laboratory of the Plant Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture Saba Basha, Alexandria University, to study the effect of some chemicals and essential oil extracts on keeping quality and vase life of carnation cut flowers. Completely randomized block designed experiment with three replicates treatments for each as follow: control (distillated water), Nano-silver thiosulphate (NST) at (2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 mg/l), Eucalyptus oil at (25, 50 and 75 mg/l), Mint oil at (25, 50 and 75 mg/l) and 8-hydroxyquinoline sulphate (8-HQS) at (250, 300, 350 and 400 mg/l). Results showed that Nano-silver thiosulphate (NST) at 10 mg/l gave the highest mean values of the physical characters as dry weights (g), floret diameter, vase life, and decrease the number of bacteria, also, Nano-silver thiosulphate (NST) at 10 mg/l gave the best results of chemical compositions as total sugars (%), reducing sugars (%), non-reducing sugars (%),total soluble solids percentage and total carbohydrate percentage as compared with control treatment, which gave the lowest mean values of the all physical and chemical composition during both seasons.

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.

Methyl Jasmonate Treatment Delays Flower Opening and Petal Wilting of Three Cut Rose Cultivars

Abstract Developing a method for the control of cut flower opening and improvement of cut flower quality is important to meet consumer demand. In this study, we investigated the effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on flower opening of three rose cultivars: ‘Red Star,’ ‘Princes Meg,’ and ‘Madrid’. Shoot bases of cut roses were immersed in water solutions containing 100- or 1000-μM MeJA in addition to 2% weight/volume (w/v) sucrose and 0.02% w/v 8-hydroxyquinoline monohydrate. Subsequently, the vase life, flower opening, petal wilting, petal weight, water uptake, and water evaporation were measured. Flower opening of all three cultivars was clearly delayed following the treatment with MeJA, resulting in prolonged vase life compared with control. In addition, flower wilting was suppressed in all cultivars. Moreover, 7 days following treatment, the petal fresh weight was maintained high in the ‘Red Star’ and ‘Princes Meg’ cultivars. However, there was no significant difference in the ‘Madrid’ cultivar versus control. In all three cultivars, there was a minimal difference in the total amount of water uptake and evaporation. Thus, it is suggested that the total amount of water uptake and evaporation have limited relevance to the changes in the relative fresh weight of cut roses and petal fresh weight observed following treatments. Despite the difference in the sensitivity of the rose cultivars to treatment with MeJA, we conclude that MeJA has high potential as a quality retention agent for cut roses.

Effects of different concentrations of sucrose and citric acid on vase life of rose

Vase life is the most important parameter to determine the quality of cut flower, however, due to highly perishable nature is always challenging to vase life. An experiment was conducted at Horticulture Lab, Prithu Technical College, Dangon 2018 in order to find out best concentration of sucrose and citric solution that enhances and prolongs the better flower quality and longevity. Experiment was laid out in completely randomize design (CRD) with nine treatments and three replication. Rose sticks were harvested at flower bud stage and two sticks were kept in each vase solution. 2% sucrose with 15 ppm citric acid solution found longest vase life and this combination has the potential to be used as a commercial cut flower preservative solution to delay flower senescence, enhance post-harvest quality and prolong the vase life of cut rose flowers.

Silencing GhCOI1 in Gladiolus hybridus increases susceptibility to Alternaria brassicicola and impairs inducible defenses

Alternaria brassicicola is a necrotrophic pathogenic fungus that severely affects both the yield and quality of Gladiolus cut flowers and cormels. The jasmonate signaling pathway plays an important role in plant disease resistance. The protein CORONATINE INSENSITIVE 1 (COI1) is a key regulator of this pathway, and the COI1 gene can modulate jasmonate signaling-induced defenses against necrotrophic fungi. Here, we characterize a COI1 gene from Gladiolus, GhCOI1. GhCOI1 transcript levels were greatest in the leaves, followed by the roots. A low MeJA concentration promoted GhCOI1 expression, which remained high after 6 h. Silencing GhCOI1 via VIGS reduced GhCOI1 transcript levels. The length of fungal hyphae and amount of fungal DNA were significantly greater in silenced plants than in control plants. Moreover, GhCOI1 was necessary for the induction of SOD, POD, PPO, and CAT in the Gladiolus defense response to A. brassicicola infestation. GhCOI1 silencing reduced the accumulation of H2O2, allowing the fungus to enter leaf tissue through stomata and cause necrosis directly. Taken together, these results suggest that GhCOI1 is an essential signaling component that controls the JA-regulated defense response against A. brassicicola in Gladiolus plants. The results of this study reveal that silencing GhCOI1 reduced the disease resistance of Gladiolus

Effect of oligosaccharins on the vase life of lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum Raf.) cv. ‘Mariachi blue’

ABSTRACTLisianthus [Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinners] is a flower which, once cut, requires vase care-solution to increase its postharvest life and quality. The objective of this project was to assess the effects of pectin-derived oligosaccharins solution (Pectimorf®) on the postharvest vase quality of lisianthus cut flowers. Six vase-solution treatments were tested using four different Pectimorf® and sucrose mixtures, one commercial vase product, and only water (control) during the entire storage period (16 days) at room temperature. Results suggest that using Pectimorf® floral stem weight increased (20% greater than control), as did quality and leaf turgidity (>commercial limit); bent neck or pedicel curvature decreased (<20°), and antioxidant enzyme activities, phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity were modified. Furthermore, Pectimorf® reduced the growth of microorganisms in the vase solutions (>98.5%) compared to control and sucrose treatment. The vase life of the lisianthus cut flowers lasted 8 days while maintaining good visual quality. Thus, the pectin-derived oligosaccharins can be used as a supplement in vase solutions to maintain the quality and postharvest vase life of lisianthus cut flowers.Abbreviations: CAT: catalase; CFU: colony-forming units; GAE: gallic acid equivalent; POD: peroxidases; ROS: reactive oxygen species; SOD: superoxide dismutase.

Oriental × Trumpet Interspecific Hybrid Lily Cultivar with Yellow Color, ‘Golden Bell’

A novel Oriental × Trumpet (OT) intersectional hybrid lily cultivar ‘Golden Bell,’ which exhibits flourishing grow th a nd h igh resistance t o leaf b urn and Botrytis, was developed at the Taean Lily Experiment Station of Chungcheongnam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services in 2016. In 2007, a yellow-flowered female parent Lilium O T hybrid ‘ Yellow een’ w as c rossed w ith a white-flowered male parent L. Oriental hybrid ‘Muscadet’ using the cut style pollination method. Adaptation trials were performed on the candidate line to develop various characteristics through seed culture in vitro, multiplication, and seedling from 2008 to 2010. The first selection was performed in 2011, and the line was tentatively named ‘OT11-2.’ This study compared the external shape type, bulb production, growth, and flowering characteristics with those of ‘Candy Club’ from 2012 to 2013. Consumer preferences for the evaluated characteristics were surveyed during a lily flower show held at the Flower Research Institute in 2014, and a second selection, named ‘Chungnam OT-4,’ was developed based on the results of the show. The line was registered as the OT intersectional hybrid lily cultivar ‘Golden Bell’ in 2016. The natural flowering time of ‘Golden Bell’ was initiated on 16 June, which was s imilar to that of ‘Yelloween’ at the central district. The plant height of ‘Golden Bell’ was 136.4 cm, flowers were yellow without spots and displayed an upward blooming habit. The production of high quality cut flowers and bulbs requires the careful application of general cultivation techniques, including control of diseases and pests in addition to nutrient and moisture management.

Evaluation of dry and wet storage on vase quality of cut peony based on the regulation of starch and sucrose metabolism

Herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) is one of the most important cut flowers worldwide, but the short natural florescence seriously affects its industrial development. In this study, the cut peony ‘Yang Fei Chu Yu’ was preserved in dry storage (DS) and wet storage (WS), respectively, at 0–4 °C. We set two treatments of short- and long-term storage (S-tS, 3 d; L-tS, 23 d). We assessed the postharvest performance; determined the changes in starch, sucrose, glucose, and fructose; and then analyzed the expression of a subset of representative genes that regulate starch and sucrose metabolism by RT-qPCR. When compared to WS, our results indicated that DS treatment exhibited significantly higher vase quality of cut peony after both S-tS and L-tS. For S-tS, this effect should be due to faster starch consumption during storage of 1–3 d and sucrose hydrolysis at the beginning of the vase period. The change in starch hydrolysis can be attributed to increased expression of PlSPS1 and PlSPS4 as well as decreased expression of PlSUS4, whereas the sucrose metabolism should be associated with the inducing of PlSUS3 expression. During S-tS, PlCWIN1 may positively and PlVIN1 may negatively affect vase quality by adjusting water use efficiency. Inducing expression of PlCIN1 and PlCIN2 may also improve cut flower quality, probably via other pathways. For L-tS, the higher level of glucose and fructose content at the end of the period may be more beneficial in improving vase quality. The increasing expression of PlSUS3 and the decreasing expression of PlVIN1 as well as the inducing expression of the three PlCINs may regulate this process at the transcriptional level. Based on these results, we recommend that DS is used for cut peony cold storage within a prescribed period, regardless of the storage time.

Comparison between Chemical Fertilization and Integrated Nutrient Management: Yield, Quality, N, and P Contents in Dendranthema grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitam. Cultivars

To assess the effects of a new integrated nutrient management protocol on yield and cut stem quality, root morphology, N accumulation, nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE), and P content in tissue, a biennial (2011 and 2012) chrysanthemum cut flower cultivation was carried out. In both years, two nutrition management (CNM: conventional NM and INM: integrated NM) treatments and two Dendranthema grandiflorum (Ramat.) Kitamura cultivar (“White CV1” and “Yellow CV2”) treatments were compared. The treatments were arranged in a split-plot design with three replicates. CNM was fertilized using a recommended dose fertilization of mineral NPK; INM treatment was fertilized using a half dose (50%) of CNM plus a combined usage of N organic fertilizer, seaweed extract (Ascophyllum nodosum), and microrganism consortium (Glomus sp. and Bacillus sp.). Yield at harvest (+19%), number of leaves (+33%), leaf area (+46%), number of flower heads (+27%), and total aboveground dry weight (+40%) were significantly increased by the INM application compared to the control. In terms of the root system, the increase was evident in terms of length (+174%), volume (+167%), projected area (+166%), and surface area (+165%), tips (+175%), forks (+285%), and crossings (+464%). The greatest N accumulation, in both years, was registered by INM treatment at harvest: +94% in 2011 and +55% in 2012. Differences in the NM were evident in the NUE, which was highest in CNM (on average 162) compared to INM (on average 142). In both years the P content in above-ground chrysanthemum tissues was in the order of head &gt; leaves &gt; stems, which was maintained in both INM and CNM treatments. A higher yield (138 stems m−2) was obtained in “CV2 Yellow” compared to “CV1 White” (120 stems m−2). Based on our findings, applying INM to chrysanthemum improves yield, cut flower quality, and plant nutrient uptake, in an agro–environmentally sustainable way. A basic economic analysis on fertilizers, cost gross production, and takings difference obtained, was carried out.

Integrated plant nutrient supply for export quality cut flower production in LA Lilium ‘Nashville’

Integrated plant nutrient supply for export quality cut flower production in LA Lilium ‘Nashville’

Effects of Ascorbic Acids on Post-Harvest Longevity of Chrysantemum Cut Flowers

The longer vase life of chrysanthemum cut flower is one of the preferable quality traits in marketing for growers, retailers and consumers. Several compounds, like ascorbic acid, have been reported to be able to prolong the post-harvest quality and longevity of cut flowers. Thus, the purpose of the study was to assess the ascorbic acid effects in several concentrations (0, 100, 200, and 300 ppm) in extending the fresh life of two chrysanthemum cultivars, i.e. cv. Remix (spray) and Yellow Fiji (standard). The results showed that the termination of flower freshness was visually characterized by wilting of leaves and florets and the change in floret color (paler). The supplementation of ascorbic acid solution at the concentrations of 200 and 300 ppm prevented and lengthened leaves and florets turgidity and postponed the wilting up to 2 – 3 days compared to control. At the same concentrations, the solution also slowed down the degradation rates of chlorophyll content on leaves during vase life periods.