New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science abstracts
Sandersonia aurantiaca: an evaluation of postharvest pulsing solutions
to maximise cut flower quality
J. R. Eason
New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food
Research Limited
Food Industry Science Centre
Private Bag 11 600
Palmerston North, New Zealand
email: easonj@crop.cri.nz
Abstract The postharvest quality of sandersonia (Sandersonia
aurantiaca (Hook.)) cut flowers is a function of the quality of individual
flowers (fused tepals in the form of a lantern) and the quality of the leaves
attached to the cut stem. The vase life of sandersonia cut flowers,
therefore, is considered terminated when >50% of the flowers have senesced
(faded and wilted) or the leaves have signs of chlorosis and/or necrosis.
In the current study, 13 different postharvest pulsing solutions were analysed
for their effectiveness in maintaining at-harvest quality for florets and
leaves of sandersonia stems. The most effective pulsing solution for preventing
leaf chlorosis was Chrysal-SVB (1 tablet in 2 litres of water). The pulsing
solution that was most effective in maximising the overall postharvest quality
of sandersonia stems contained Chrysal-AVB (3 ml litre-1) and
Chrysal-SVB (1 tablet per 2 litres). Pulsing with the mixture of Chrysal-AVB/SVB
(18 h, 5°C) delayed the initiation of flower senescence and prevented
leaf chlorosis. The stems pulsed with this solution had an average vase life
5 days longer than stems that were held in water. Further analysis of sandersonia
flowers treated with gibberellic acid (GA3), a component of certain
preservative solutions, indicate that this plant growth regulator is effective
in extending sandersonia vase life, by delaying the onset of tepal fading
and wilting and delaying senescence-associated proteolysis.
Keywords gibberellic acid; postharvest; senescence;
vase life
H02046 Received 3 July 2002; accepted 9 September 2002; published 9 December
2002
New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science, 2002, Vol. 30:
273-279
0014-0671/02/3004-0273 $7.00 © The Royal Society of New Zealand
2002
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