New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science abstracts
Changes in sugar, protein, respiration, and ethylene
in developing and harvested Geraldton waxflower
(Chamelaucium uncinatum) flowers
C. M. OLLEY
Department of Agriculture
University of Queensland
St Lucia
Qld 4067, Australia
D. C. JOYCE
CSIRO Division of Horticulture
306 Carmody Rd
St Lucia
Qld 4067, Australia
D. E. IRVING
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food
Research Limited
Private Bag 4005
Levin, New Zealand
Abstract Sugar and protein levels and rates of respiration
and ethylene production were measured for Geraldton waxflower (Chamelaucium
uncinatum) flowers in order to characterise flower development and
senescence in this cut flower crop. Ten sequential stages of floral development
were identified. Sugar levels increased during bud development, the highest
concentrations (c. 130 mg sucrose equivalents/g dry weight (DW) being measured
during the nectiferous stages of flower opening. There was little variation in
either soluble or insoluble protein levels during flower development, levels
averaging around 19 and 25 mg bovine serum albumin (BSA) equivalents/g DW,
respectively. In flowers cut and maintained individually, sugar and protein
levels decreased rapidly after harvest, suggesting their use as respiratory
substrates. Sprig senescence was characterised by loss in fresh weight and
decreasing water use. In flowers taken from sprigs in vases, sugar and protein
levels increased slightly (Day 4) before decreasing with senescence (Day 8).
Flowers on sprigs appeared to deteriorate at c. 8 days after harvest, in
concert with the decreasing sugar and protein levels. Respiration rates were
initially high (1432 ml/kg per h) for the flowers from harvested sprigs, and
declined during vase life. Ethylene production also decreased during vase life
from an initial level of 1.32 ul/kg per h. The absence of respiratory and
ethylene production peaks indicates that Geraldton waxflower flowers are
non-climacteric in nature.
Keywords Geraldton waxflower; Chamelaucium uncinatum;
sugar; protein; respiration; ethylene
New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science, 1996, Vol. 24:
143-150
0114-0671/96/2402-0143 $2.50/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand
1996
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