Postharvest handling of Tuberose (polianthes tuberosa L.) cut flowers
Abstract
A range of postharvest treatments were applied to
tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) cut flowers in an effort
to improve flower bud opening, vase life, and to reduce
floret senescence. Vase life of individual flowers of cut
tuberose inflorescence was 4-6 days after opening.
Generally, harvesting tuberose inflorescence with several
florets open improved their percent opening and vase life.
A vase solution containing 2% sucrose and 1% sodium
hypochlorite (NaOcl) continuously improved display life
(percent floret opening and vase life). Substantial uptake
of vase solution occurred in the first 1-2 days and was
accompanied by increased fresh weight of tubcrose stems, but
that decreased later over the vase life of inflorescence.
That increase in fresh weight was significantly influenced.
by sucrose concentration, 2% giving the highest qbsorption
rate.
Pulsing cut flowers with 20% sucrose for 24 hours
resulted with over 80% floret opening and prolonged vase
life of 18.6 days. Immersing stems of tuberose inflorescence
in vase solution containing silver thiosulphate (STS)
complex doubled their vase life from 10 to more than 23 days
with over 90% floret opening. The effect was achieved by
pulsing flower stems with vase solution containing 2.0 roM
Ag+ with a pulse as short as 10 minutes.
The removal of a number of the first opening mature
florets or a few top immature non-opened flower buds
increased the longevity and percent opening of the remaining
florets. Removal of 4 mature and opened lower florets or 5
immature non-opened flower buds significantly improved vase
life and percent opening of the remaining florets. Removal
of immature non-opened flower buds resulted in full
development of the remaining florets. However, with the
inclusion of 2% sucrose in vase solution, removal of 3
opened florets or immature flower buds in each case also
gave better results. Recutting of flower stems after a
period of 48 hours also improved the display vase life.
Citation
Watako, A.O.(1992).Postharvest handling of Tuberose (polianthes tuberosa L.) cut flowersSponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, University of Nairobi
Description
Msc - Thesis