New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science abstracts
1-methylcyclopropene extends Cymbidium orchid vaselife and prevents
damaged pollinia from accelerating senescence
J. A. HEYES
J. W. JOHNSTON*
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food
Research Limited
Private Bag 11 600
Palmerston North, New Zealand
email: heyesj@crop.cri.nz
*Present address: Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University,
Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Abstract A single postharvest application of
1-methylcyclopropene (MCP) was effective in prolonging vaselife of
Cymbidium orchids by 6 or 7 days, to c. 19 days. It also prevented
repeated applications of ethylene shortening the vaselife of Cymbidium
orchids. The anti-ethylene effect of one MCP treatment persisted throughout
three successive challenges with ethylene at 5-day intervals. A supra-optimal
concentration of MCP (500 ppb) showed no adverse effects. MCP was also
effective in protecting Cymbidium orchids against accelerated senescence
caused by damage to the pollinia. Individual flowers with damaged pollinia
senesced even more rapidly than ethylene-treated intact flowers. In the
presence of MCP, flowers with damaged pollinia had a vaselife almost equal to
that of undamaged flowers. This is a significant finding for the orchid export
industry.
Keywords Cymbidium; ethylene; 1-methylcyclopropene;
orchid; pollinia; senescence; vaselife
H98032
Received 14 July 1998; accepted 2 September 1998
Short communication
PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (1148K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)
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