Search Results (5)

Flower senescence during transport is a major concern for exporters, as physiological disorders reduce quality and price. Extending vase life is crucial, and while 1-MCP is widely used, it requires low temperatures and is less effective in disease control. Cold plasma generated by dielectric barrier discharge produces reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), offering an alternative method for preserving cut flowers. This study compared the effectiveness of cold plasma and 1-MCP treatments on the vase life of Vanda ‘Pachara Blue’ orchids. Flowers were treated with T1 (control at 25 °C), T2 (1-MCP), and T3 (cold plasma). Both 1-MCP and cold plasma significantly reduced ethylene production (26.15 and 25.20 µL C₂H₄/kg/hr, respectively) and respiration rate (63.92 and 57.44 mg CO₂/kg/hr, respectively) compared to the control (40.93 µL C₂H₄/kg/hr and 118.21 mg CO₂/kg/hr). Vase life was extended to 19.33 days in both treatments, an 87.12% increase over the control (10.33 days). Additionally, cold plasma slightly improved water uptake and reduced petal discoloration. These findings indicate that cold plasma is a promising alternative to 1-MCP, offering effective flower preservation without the need for low-temperature conditions and potential additional benefits in floral quality. Full article

The herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) flower is one of the most important ornamental plants in current international flower markets and is widely used for festive occasions because of its bright colors, large flowers, pleasant scent, and plump flower shape. However, the cut peony flowers have a relatively short postharvest life in vases compared to other flower species. The short vase life and susceptibility to gray mold disease caused by Botrytis cinerea significantly influence the commercial value of cut peonies. Here, we reviewed the main factors for postharvest quality reduction in cut peony flowers and the various postharvest treatments aiming for vase life extension and enhancing gray mold disease resistance in cut peonies. Chemical treatments, including ethylene inhibitors, antimicrobial agents, and other preservatives, have been assessed for their effectiveness in improving vase life. Moreover, physical treatments, such as temperature management, controlled atmosphere storage, and dry storage methods, were also discussed for their effectiveness in delaying flower senescence and reducing gray mold disease infection. The review also highlighted the importance of cultivar-specific responses to gray mold disease, ethylene, and water stress, which is important for the development of new effective and specific postharvest practices to improve the vase life of cut peonies. Full article

Vase life directly affects the ornamental value of cut flowers, and extending vase life has been a research focus in the floriculture industry. The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Nano-Se provide a new direction to extend the life of cut-flower vase life. In order to explore the postharvest quality of Nano-Se on cut-flower roses, this study treated cut-flower roses with different concentrations of Nano-Se (200, 400, and 600 mM) using a commercially available preservative solution as a base solution. The results showed that appropriate concentrations of Nano-Se significantly increased the vase life of cut-flower roses and helped to maintain high petal moisture content. Nano-Se at concentrations of 200, 400, and 600 mM extended the vase life of cut roses by 4.3, 5.7, and 3.7 d, respectively. As the vase period extended, the Nano-Se treatment group effectively delayed the decline in antioxidant enzyme activities such as peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT), maintained the soluble sugar (SS) and soluble protein (SP) contents in the cut roses, and inhibited the production of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), reducing their accumulation. A correlation analysis of the physiological indexes of cut roses showed that vase life was positively correlated with POD and CAT activities, SS and SP contents, and total phenolic acid content and negatively correlated with MDA and H₂O₂ contents. This study provides a solid theoretical basis for the diversification of preservatives and the development of new preservatives for fresh-cut roses, which is expected to provide significant economic benefits. Full article

The effect of pretreatment with gibberellin A₃ (GA₃) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂) on the vase life of cut gerbera ‘Minou’ was investigated. Cut gerbera flowers were treated with GA₃ and/or CaCl₂ for 24 h and then transferred to an antimicrobial solution. Pretreatment with GA₃ at 0, 29, 72, 144, and 289 µM delayed the opening of the tubular florets and promoted stem bending due to elongation of the flower stems, which shortened vase life. When cut gerbera was pretreated with 144 µM GA₃ in combination with CaCl₂ at 90, 180, 270, and 360 mM, stem elongation was suppressed with the increasing concentration of CaCl₂. Next, the effect of pretreatment with 144 µM GA₃, 270 mM CaCl_2, and their combination on the vase life of the cut gerbera was investigated. Combined treatment with GA₃ and CaCl₂ significantly extended vase life more than GA₃ alone and CaCl₂ alone. The vase life of the cut gerbera ‘Banana’, ‘Kimsey’, ‘Pinta’, ‘Tim’, and ‘Vivid’ was significantly extended by pretreatment with 144 µM GA₃ and 270 mM CaCl₂. It was concluded that combined treatment with GA₃ and CaCl₂ was effective in extending the vase life of the cut gerbera. Full article

The vase life of cut dahlia (Dahlia × hortensis Guillaumin) flowers is generally short. Petal senescence is known to be divided into petal wilting, withering, and abscission. Petals with ongoing wilting were isolated from the inflorescence and supplied with water using 10 cultivars to clarify the type of petal senescence of dahlia. Based on the recovery of fresh weight and appearance of petals, senescent types could be categorized into three types: petal senescence in two, six, and two cultivars were categorized into abscission, abscission with withering, and wilting types, respectively. The pulse treatment with silver thiosulfate complex (STS) significantly extended the vase life of 7 out of 10 cultivars. Moreover, pulse treatment with STS followed by continuous treatment with GLA, which was comprised of glucose, isothiazolinone germicide, and aluminum sulfate, increased the relative fresh weight of the five dahlia cultivars more than pulse treatment with STS. Therefore, this combined treatment is available to extend the vase life of cut dahlia, irrespective of the senescent types. Full article