Progeny of 158 F5 × F5 crosses of Antirrhinum majus (snapdragon) selected within and among cut flower postharvest longevity (PHL) categories (long = 12.6-16.8 days, middle = 9.3-12.1 days, and short = 4.8-8.9 days) were evaluated for PHL and quality traits. Results were compared with previous studies involving F2 × F2 progeny, and F3, F4, and F5 inbred lines. Heritability of PHL in F5 × F5 progeny (0.77 ± 0.11) agrees with that of inbred lines (0.79 to 0.81) but is higher than in F2 × F2 progeny (0.41). Therefore, selection for increased PHL should progress more rapidly and predictably through application of inbred lines rather than F2 individuals. Significant differences between F5 × F5 progeny PHL categories confirm PHL is heritable with a significant additive component. Heritabilities of quality traits in A. majus are high, suggesting selection for quality traits should progress without difficulty. Phenotypic and genotypic correlations of PHL with quality traits are not consistently significant across PHL studies in A. majus. Discrepancies between studies suggest most traits may not be correlated to PHL or are subject to strong environmental influence.
Individual 'Stargazer' flowers lasted about 4.5 to 5 days and weighed ≈14 g. Addition of 2% sugar into the vase solution neither affected the longevity nor the size of the flowers but significantly enhanced anthocyanin content and, thus, the intensity of petal color. Defoliation of Oriental lilies, the common practice of retail florists, did not affect the opening, longevity, and size of the open flowers, but did result in lighter-color petals when placed in a solution without sugar. Addition of sugar to the vase solution counteracted the adverse effects of defoliation on petal color. Sugar in the vase solution did not overcome the increased bud blasting and the reduced longevity and size of flowers induced by cold storage. However, it enabled more flowers to open fully, which, without sugar, remained only partially open. Excised bud experiments revealed that bud size of 6.1 cm and 7.0 cm were critical for opening of non-cold-stored and cold-stored buds, respectively. Unlike other cut flower species in which flowers for long-term storage or long-distance transport are harvested at a tighter-bud stage than those intended for the local market, in 'Stargazer', harvesting of stems where the smallest bud is >7.0 cm would be critical in reducing cold-storage-induced bud blasting.
Abstract
Effects of repeated applications of preemergence herbicides (alachlor, metolachlor, oxadiazon, and simazine) at 1 ×, 2 ×, and 4 × rates to leatherleaf fern [Rumohra adiantiformis (Forst.) Ching] beds were studied. During the first two years of bed establishment, all herbicides reduced weed coverage compared to commercial practice (hand-weeding 3 times per year), but only simazine and oxadiazon suppressed weed coverage to commercially acceptable levels between hand-weedings. In year 3, when the fern beds had become well-established, all herbicide treatments provided adequate weed suppression. Simazine was phytotoxic to the fern and reduced yield. Metolachlor increased rhizome mortality compared to commercial practice. Herbicide and weed-free treatments had no effect compared to commercial practice on frond fresh and dry weights or postharvest water uptake and longevity of cut fronds. Chemical names used: 2-chloro-N-2,6-diethylphenyl)-N-(methoxymethyl)acetamide (alachlor); 2 chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide (metolachlor); 3-[2,4-dichloro-5-(l-methylethoxy)phenyl]-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one (oxadiazon); 6-chloro-N, N′-diethyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine (simazine).
Abstract
The rhizobitoxine analog, L-2-amino-4-(2-aminoethoxy)-trans-3-butenoic acid, and sodium benzoate inhibited ethylene production in cut flowers of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus, L. cv. White Sim) and extended the vase life by several days. The rhizobitoxine analog (Ro) and sodium benzoate were added to a basal holding solution of 2% sucrose, 0.02% 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate, and 0.02 M potassium citrate buffer (pH 4.7). The results indicate that Ro at 0.068 mM increased the vase life of cut carnations by 95% or more. Sodium benzoate at 1.0 or 2.0 mM also increased the vase life. The compounds may have increased vase life of the flowers by inhibiting ethylene production. The effects of these compounds were over and above the effects of sucrose, 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate, and acid pH of the holding solution.
Abstract
Cold storage at 13°C or storage in 2% O, at 24–25°C was beneficial for extending the vase life of cut ‘Ozaki’ flowers of anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum Lind.).
Abstract
Ammonium ethyl carbamoylphosphonate (AECP) has a large and favorable effect on the beauty and vase life of cut roses when used in conjunction with conventional nutrient sugars and bacteriostats.
An undergraduate class in postharvest physiology observed a number of factors in the senescence of cut roses, which had been studied separately in the literature. They assessed the relative importance of the factors in determining vase life. `Samantha' roses were held at 20C in distilled water or a floral preservative. Ethylene treatment caused petal distortion and premature senescence. Floral preservatives stimulated ethylene production, although vase life was extended relative to flowers in water. Higher sugar contents and respiration were maintained in preservative than in water. Water uptake by roses was almost constant, but stem resistance to water flow increased faster in water than in preservative. In the 2nd week of vase life, transpiration exceeded water uptake, particularly for roses in water. As much of this water was lost through leaves as through the flower. The results suggest that a complex interaction of several factors determines vase life.
Abstract
Reduction of irrigation level on leatherleaf fern [Rumohra adiantiformis (G. Forst) Ching] to 150 cm/year from 311 cm/year (recommended rate) had no effect on frond yield or fresh weight and increased vase life on 3 of 7 harvest dates. Nitrogen sources of urea or NH4NO3 did not affect frond yield or fresh weight, but there were some minor variable effects on vase life.
Abstract
The opening of Freesia hybrida Bailey flowers cut in the tight bud stage was promoted by treatment with sucrose and 200 mg·liter−1 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate. A pulse treatment for 24 to 48 hr with 20% sucrose resulted in complete inflorescence development and prolonged vase life. Reduced sucrose concentrations or increased pulse durations were not as effective. Pulse-treating flowers with 20% sucrose for 24 hr prior to 3 days of simulated shipping improved subsequent flower opening and vase life.
Abstract
The market quality and vase life of cut flowers of Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ram., were not adversely affected by growing the plants in soil having an electrical conductance of the saturated paste extract (ECe) of 3.6 millimho/cm if high soil water content was maintained by wick irrigation. However, shorter stems, smaller flowers, lighter wt flowers, and flowers of shorter vase life were produced at ECe 3.6 than at ECe 1.8 under manual irrigation by hose. The optimal condition for most growth criteria was ECe 3.6 with wick irrigation, but the optimum for vase life was ECe 1.8. A salinity of ECe 4.0, in which KCI or K2SO4 was high, caused a slight reduction in growth and vase life but was not as severe as an ECe 3.6 with manual irrigation.
In an experiment of factorial design, high salinity (ECe 4.0), sand-peat soil of low water-holding capacity (WHC 32%), and manual irrigation resulted in shorter stems, smaller flowers, lower stem substance, and shorter vase life than was produced under low salinity (ECe 2.0), high water-holding soil (clay-peat of WHC 46%), and automatic irrigation. Automatic irrigation prevented an adverse effect of soil salinity on stem substance, flower size and flower longevity of the plants growing in the clay-peat medium but not of those growing in sand-peat.